Pregnancy Guides

The 36-week checklist: what to have ready before the birth

Thirty-six weeks is the point where most Australian midwives want you ready to go. This is the complete list, grouped by what has to be done, what should be packed, and what can wait.

Written by Frida Australia · 6 September 2026 · Updated 7 September 2026 5

From 37 weeks a pregnancy is considered full term, and a good share of Australian babies arrive before their due date. That is why 36 weeks is the line most midwives draw: by then the car seat is in, both bags are by the door, and you have stopped googling. This 36-week checklist covers what has to be done, what should be packed, and what can genuinely wait.

At a glance

Three groups: things to do, things to pack, things that can wait.
Order online at 32 to 34 weeks so everything arrives in time.
Two bags: one for the baby, one for you. Most lists forget the second.
Brief your support person and put the phone numbers on the fridge.

Things to do by 36 weeks

Fit the car seat. In Australia you cannot leave hospital without a suitable restraint. Book a professional fitting if you are not confident, and practise the buckle.
Confirm the hospital plan. Which entrance to use after hours, where to park, who to call when labour starts, and what your hospital's early-labour advice is.
Write down your birth preferences. One page, in plain language, at the top of your bag. Preferences, not a script.
Book postnatal appointments. A pelvic floor physio at two to six weeks, a postnatal GP check, and your local child health nurse. Ask your midwife for referrals now.
Brief your support person. Who makes decisions, who can visit, where everything is kept. Our guide to what nobody tells the support person covers it.
Stock the freezer. Meals that can be eaten one-handed, and snacks for the hospital.
Set up the bathroom. A caddy by the toilet with pads, liners, a peri bottle and disposable underwear, so the routine is ready before you are home.

Postpartum supplies laid out ready to pack — Pack the recovery items in their own toiletry bag inside the hospital bag, so they can move to the bathroom as a unit.

Things to pack: for the baby

The baby bag is the one every list covers well, so keep it short. Nappies and wipes for the stay, a few singlets and onesies in newborn and 0000, a wrap or two, a hat, a going-home outfit and the car seat cover if you use one. The hospital will tell you if it supplies nappies and formula.

Things to pack: for you

This is the bag most lists forget. Split it into labour and recovery so the recovery half can go straight to the bathroom.

For labour	For recovery
Your own labour gown with front opening for skin-to-skin	Peri bottle for warm-water rinsing after every toilet visit
Grip socks for walking the halls	Thick maternity pads, at least 10 to 12, plus disposable underwear
Lip balm, hair ties, snacks and electrolyte drinks	Instant ice maxi pads and cooling liners for perineal comfort
Phone charger and a portable battery	Toiletries, your own pillow, a loose going-home outfit
Medicare card, health fund details, birth preferences	High-waisted underwear if a caesarean is possible

The full printable version with tick boxes is on our hospital bag checklist page, including a due-date calculator that dates each step.

Things to pack: for your support person

They will be there for a long time. Snacks and drinks for a full day, a phone charger, a change of clothes, something to do during early labour, coins for the vending machine, and a clear briefing from you on what you want in the room.

Things that can wait

The nursery does not need to be finished. The pram does not need to be assembled for the hospital. Visitors can be scheduled after you are home. More than three or four changes of clothes is too many for a two to four-day stay. If it is not needed in the first 72 hours, it is not a 36-week job.

32 to 34 weeksOrder everything online: recovery supplies, maternity pads, going-home outfit. Book the fitting and the appointments.

34 to 36 weeksPack both bags completely. Car seat in. Bags by the door.

36 weeks and beyondYou are ready. Do not repack. Rest, eat, and let the support person handle logistics.

A note on advice

Every hospital and every pregnancy is a little different. Use this list alongside the advice of your midwife or obstetrician, and ask them about anything specific to your birth plan or health.

Frequently asked questions

Why 36 weeks?

From 37 weeks a pregnancy is considered full term, and a good number of babies arrive before their due date. Being ready at 36 weeks means an early arrival is an inconvenience rather than a scramble.

When should I install the car seat?

By 36 weeks. In Australia the seat must be fitted correctly and you cannot leave hospital without a suitable restraint, so book a professional fitting if you are unsure.

How many maternity pads do I need?

Plan on at least 10 to 12 thick maternity pads for the hospital stay and more for home. Bleeding is heaviest in the first days and the hospital usually provides only a couple.

What should I pack for a caesarean?

Everything on the recovery list still applies, plus high-waisted underwear that clears the incision, loose clothing, and a firm pillow to hold when you cough or move. Ask your GP about a stool softener.

Does the hospital provide pads and underwear?

Most Australian public hospitals provide a small number of pads and mesh underwear for the stay. Bring your own for comfort and for home.

What should I leave at home?

Jewellery and valuables, half the bathroom cabinet, more than three or four outfits, and the pram. Slip-on shoes for the room and one pair for going home are enough.

What if the baby comes before 36 weeks?

The hospital will look after you both. Your support person can bring the bags later, which is another reason to keep the list somewhere they can find it and to brief them early.

Frida Mom Hospital Labour and Delivery Kit

The recovery half of the list above is what the Frida Mom Hospital Labour & Delivery Kit was designed around: gown, socks, peri bottle, underwear, ice pads, liners and foam in one bag. One order, packed by 36 weeks.