Hospital Bag Checklist: Public & Private Hospitals

One of the most useful things during your third trimester is to prepare your hospital bag (走佬袋). Preparing your bag before your due date is always a good idea to save the stress of packing during contractions. This hospital bag checklist includes many essential items you and your family need to welcome your baby. 

Essential items to remember:

• HKID cards/passports for both parents
• Obstetric records and birth plan
• Car seat for the baby (bring in on discharge day) 
• Octopus card with around 500–1,000 HKD on it (for paying bills in public hospitals)
• Insurance cards/letter of guarantee (for private hospitals)
• Bank cards/cash 
• Phone

For your journey to the hospital, you may want to bring:

• A sick bag 
• An underpad or towel for the car (for if your water has broken or if it breaks on the way)

What to pack into your hospital bag will vary depending on whether you give birth in a private or public hospital in Hong Kong. 

Public Hospital Labour Bag

The space is limited in the ward area, so try not to bring in too much. Your hospital may specify bag dimensions (usually cabin size). There will be one narrow cupboard for storage, just enough room on one side of your bed for the baby cot, and a single chair. You will be given clothes to wear during your stay, including colour-coded pyjamas for your labour. 

For the baby – a hat, top, blankets and swaddles are provided, but you might want to bring in a couple of your own, too (we recommend a minimum of three vests and three onesies).

It is best to have two separate bags for your hospital bag. One bag will accompany you into the labour room, while the other one will be kept in the postnatal ward after birth. 

You can download a free handy Public Hospital Labour Bag checklist here. 

Labour Room Bag:

The midwives will ask for the first four items** upon your arrival at the hospital. They will put these straight into the labour ward. The other items will stay in your bag. 

• One pack of 60 x 90 cm waterproof underpads**
• Two packs of looped maternity pads (this loop helps to fix the pad to your mesh underwear)**
• One pack of 'mesh'-type disposable underwear**
• Two newborn nappies**
• Snacks 
• Hairband/tie
• A water bottle with a straw attachment
• Earphones/music
• Phone charger, lead & plug (also useful to bring a spare fully charged battery)
• Socks 
• Lip salve
• Massage/essential oils in a small bottle (if needed)
• Toothbrush and toothpaste 
• A washcloth 
• Water facial spray (can be refreshing during pushing stage)
• Hot & cold gel pack 
• Eye mask & ear plugs

Postnatal Bag:

(Usually stored in the ward while you are in the labour room) 

• Clothes to go home in for yourself and baby (loose clothing for you)
• A blanket for baby 
• Hairbrush
• Toiletries 
• A padlock (might be needed for storage cupboard)
• Two towels (one for body and one for hair)
• Nursing bra
• Underwear
• Toilet tissue (just in case!)
• Snacks 
• A bottle of water 
• Cup/mug (perhaps bring a few tea bags too)
• Slippers/flip flops for the shower 
• Hygiene wipes 
• One or two disposable perineal cold pads (for stitches)
• One pack of regular maternity pads 
• One pack waterproof underpads, 60 x 90 cm 
• One pack of newborn nappies 
• One bag of cotton wool (preferable to baby wipes)
• Small plastic pot (for water for nappy changes)
• One pack of baby wipes
• Nipple cream
• Four breast pads
• Peri-bottle

Private Hospital Labour Bag

Private hospitals usually provide the essential items within your birth package costs. It is worth checking the small print for items that may not be included. 

A set number of items are usually covered for your stay, so if you need extra maternity pads or nappies, they will likely be charged for.

Private hospitals function similarly to a hotel stay, providing all the items you will need (toothbrush, toothpaste, toiletries, slippers, maternity pads, bath towels etc.). The same applies to the baby (nappies, clothing, swaddles etc. are usually provided). 

Additional items can be purchased from the hospital stock. 

The hospital will provide you with a gown, or you may choose to wear your own. The hospital labour gowns are usually of a more practical design with poppers at the front and back, making it easier for IV lines, epidurals and breastfeeding. If you choose to wear your clothes, you should wear a loose-fitting nightdress or large T-shirt for labour, as this will be the most comfortable (best if there is a front opening for breastfeeding). 

You can download a free and handy Private Hospital Labour Bag checklist here. 

Labour items:

• Snacks 
• A water bottle with a straw attachment
• Earphones/music
• Phone charger, lead & plug (also useful to bring a spare fully charged battery)
• Socks 
• Hairband/tie
• Lip salve
• Eye mask & ear plugs
• Massage/essential oils in a small bottle 
• Water facial spray (can be refreshing during pushing stage)
• A washcloth
• Hot & cold gel pack

Postnatal items:

• Clothes to go home in for yourself and baby (loose clothing for you)
• A blanket for baby 
• Personal/preferred toiletries 
• One or two disposable perineal cold pads to use on any stitches 
• Nipple cream
• Four breast pads
• Peri-bottle  
• Nursing bra
• Underwear
• One pack of regular maternity pads (usually the hospital provides a thick type only)

Hospital Bag for Partners

• Copy of the birth plan
• Snacks and drinks
• Change of clothes (a front fastening shirt is perfect for when you do skin-to-skin with your new baby)
• A few essential toiletries (toothbrush, deodorant) 
• Phone/camera, charging lead and spare battery
• Eye mask & earplugs