A companion's bag should support the role they have agreed to play. It does not need to contain equipment for every possible birth scenario. Begin with the facility's rules about support people, storage and overnight arrangements; do not assume that a bed, meals or unrestricted access will be available.
Choose a bag small enough to keep out of the way. Pack a change of clothing, basic toiletries and the personal items you normally need away from home. Keep medications you use according to your own prescribing instructions, and ask the facility if you have questions about bringing them. Your companion role does not remove your own needs.
Avoid the shared-item shuffle
Bring your own phone charger and label it if it looks like the other person's. Agree where keys, parking details and the shared document pouch will live. If only one person carries an item both need, tell the other where it is. Otherwise, each person may assume it is in the other's bag.
Ask about food and drink arrangements. A small supply for your own use may be useful where allowed, but keep it separate from anything the birthing person has been advised about eating or drinking. Their clinical instructions are not something a companion should infer from what they packed for themselves.
Include a way to write down information if you have been asked to take notes. A small notebook can work without a charged phone. Use it for agreed questions and instructions, not a running record of private events that the birthing person has not asked you to document.
Plan a refill instead of a suitcase
If the stay becomes longer, identify who could bring clean clothing or replace supplies. Keep home keys accessible to that person through an agreed arrangement. A refill plan is often easier than carrying everything into the first room you enter.
Before leaving home, check the last-use items: glasses, wallet, phone and charger. Then check the role you have agreed to perform. If you are the driver, update coordinator and household contact all at once, packing cannot solve an overloaded arrangement. Hand one of those jobs to another willing person where possible, and keep your attention available for the support the birthing person wants.
