"I'm getting ready to give birth – and asked a midwife what I need to pack for labour"

The most comfortable socks you can find

Cashmere socks like these are luxuriously soft and are apparently up to three times warmer than your regular wool socks. I'm pretty sure I'll need all the comfort I can get, so sign me up for a pair of these cute lavender ones!

A long lead charging cable

One of Davies' top tips? Pack a long lead charging cable into your hospital bag. "A long charging cable is helpful as it stretches over hospital beds, so you can still use your device whilst it is on charge," she explains.

A hydrating lip balm

This is one item I probably would've forgotten – but all of the midwives I've spoken to and mum bloggers I've watched on YouTube recommend lip balm as a must have for the hospital. Apparently if you use gas and air for pain relief, you can end up with a bit of a dry mouth, so it's definitely a good thing to have.

I've been using this Bloom & Blossom balm throughout my pregnancy, and I love it, so I'll definitely be packing it in my bag.

Some entertainment

Chances are, you're going to be spending a lot of time waiting around in hospital before your baby decides to make an appearance. You're going to want to bring a few different forms of entertainment to keep you occupied while you wait - I know I'll be prioritising my Kindle.

Music will also be a good way to pass the time and will likely help keep you calm and relaxed, and these Marshall headphones are ideal for blocking out the stressful and probably a bit noisy hospital environment. I especially recommend these as they have over 80+ solid hours of wireless playtime (that's more than three full days of power), so you won't need to worry about your headphones dying on you when you have much bigger things to think about.

Nipple balm

If you plan on breastfeeding, nipple balm is apparently a must-have. In those early stages, nipples can become cracked, dry and painful, so it's definitely worth packing a nipple balm to prevent too much pain or discomfort. There are a few different good ones, but I'll be packing this Odylique balm.

Disposable knickers

One thing you'll definitely need in your hospital bag for your recovery after birth is a few pairs of disposable knickers or some cheap, large cotton ones you don't mind throwing away. Hygienic and comfortable, these prevent any chafing on sensitive or sore skin.

An eye mask

Another suggestion from our expert midwife? Pack a sleep mask. This one from Drowsy may be at the more expensive end of the scale, but multiple Cosmopolitan editors swear by it (one now never flies without it).

"An eye mask is great for minimising disturbance from lighting in hospital especially when moving between areas, through bright corridors or in a bay with other mums," says Davies

Breast pads

If you are planning on breastfeeding, these reusable breast pads will come in handy. Soft and comfortable to wear, they help prevent milk leakage in between feeds – they also have a full layer of waterproof laminate to protect any leaks from getting through to your bra. And they can be machine washed so you can use them over and over again!

A nursing pillow

This cradling pillow curves around the body to support your arms and your baby during nursing sessions – I'm up for anything to make the experience more comfortable, especially at the beginning of my breastfeeding journey. Plus, this one comes in so many stylish prints and colours!

Newborn sleepsuits

One of the most exciting things about preparing for baby's arrival is their adorable little outfits. Make sure you've got a few sleepsuits in your hospital bag to dress them in after birth, and a cute outfit to take them home in as well.

You're going to want popper fastenings or zippers for quick and easy changes – this newborn collection includes two all-in-one sleepsuits, a short-sleeved bodysuit and a matching hat, all with a super cute unisex teddy bear theme.

Newborn sleepsuits

A blanket

A cellular blanket is a great essential for your hospital bag. The open weave material traps air which helps keep your baby warm in winter and cool in the summer. They're suitable for use from birth and they wash and dry quickly and easily so you'll likely get plenty of use out of this.

Swaddles

Swaddling closely mimics the feeling of being in the womb to give babies extra comfort during sleep – I'm loving the prints on these super soft ones from DockATot, and they've got other designs to choose from too!

A breast pump

If you're planning on breastfeeding, you may want to pump as well as nurse – it could be handy to have your breast pump with you at the hospital so you can get the hang of it nice and early, or at least have it ready for your return home after birth.

This is a wearable hands-free double electric breast pump, designed so you can carry on with other tasks while you’re expressing.

A breast pump

Another popular option for electric breast pumps is the Elvie pump. I've got this one as well, as I love that it's wireless, small and quiet. I like knowing that I can tuck this into my bra and go about my day without any stress or hassle.

A nursing bra

This nursing bra features seam-free cups for extra comfort and minimum irritation on your sensitive skin. It's also designed to allow for growth during pregnancy, and has drop down clips for quick and easy access.

A nursing bra

I've seen loads of mums rave about Bravado's nursing bras – this one is super stretchy, comfortable and lightweight. I also love this gorgeous blush colour!

Birth recovery products

After childbirth, bruising, swelling and soreness of the perineum are very common. This duo is midwife-developed and is great to have to help with post birth recovery in hospital and at home. Spritz for Bits provides instant relief, while Soak for Bits is great to add to your bath whether you've had a vaginal or c-section birth.