Dear Mums To Be !
You're in the final stretch, with only a few weeks to go before your due date. This is the time when you should think what should be gathered to help you during your labour and birth and when your baby will be born.
Still if you're not planning a hospital birth, you may need to go in unexpectedly, so You should all try to have your bag packed by the time you are about 36 weeks pregnant.
Important for you to check :
Hospitals have different policies about what you are allowed to bring with you when you have your baby especially because some of you may want to take some tems from home, such as your own pillows to feel more comfortable during that time.
You should check what the hospital provides and what you can bring yourself as if short space you will have to store everything in a small cabinet by your bed.
Good idea is to pack two bags : one for labour and the hours immediately after your baby is born, and second one for a stay on the postnatal ward.
If you're driving to hospital, you could leave the second bag in the car. If you have a straightforward birth, you may leave hospital on the same day, so you might not need the second bag at all.
What to pack in your bag
- Your birth plan and maternity notes.
- Dressing gown. This will be useful if you end up pacing hospital corridors in early labour. You'll also need one on the postnatal ward. Hospitals can be very warm, so a lightweight one may be better. A dark colour or a busy pattern will help to hide any stains.
- Backless slip-on slippers, that are easy to get on and off.
- Socks. Believe it or not, your feet can get cold during labour.
- Nightdress or T-shirt to wear in labour. It will probably get a bit messy, so don't spend a lot for that especially to wear in hospital as you can have nice and cheap ones - Young Mummies boutique can offer them
- Massage oil or lotion if you would like to be massaged during your labour.
- Birth ball. This can help you to labour effectively. Check whether the hospital has the right size for you. If not, take your own. Remember to bring a pump so your birth partner can inflate it for you.
- Lip balm. Your lips can dry out quickly on a warm labour ward.
- Snacks and drinks for you while you are in labour. Isotonic sports drinks are good, or take some glucose tablets to keep you going.
- Things to help you relax or pass the time, such as books, magazines, or a tablet computer ( but not value products as they can be stolen)
- Hairbands or a clip. If you have long hair, you may want it tied up.
- Pillows. The hospital might not have enough to make you really comfortable. A V-shaped pillow can give you extra support when breastfeeding your baby.
- Music. Take your MP3 player or a CD player and some CDs. Some hospitals provide their own CD players, but check first.
Birth Partner bag should contain :
- Water spray or a hand-held fan, to cool you down while you're in labour.
- Comfortable shoes. They may be pacing the corridors!
- A change of clothes. Your birth partner might not get the chance to have a shower for quite a while!
- Bendy straws, to help you to have a drink during labour.
- Swimwear, if they want to join you in a birth pool.
- Mobile phone and charger. If their mobile has a stopwatch/timer function, they can use it to help time your contractions. Or if they have a smartphone, there are apps available that can do the job for them.
- Digital camera or camera phone to take photos or a short film of the birth and early moments with your baby.
- Snacks and drinks. You don't want a dehydrated, hungry birth partner looking after you. If they bring some snacks and drinks with them, they can stay with you, rather than leaving the room to search for food!
What shall I pack for after the birth?
- A going-home outfit. You'll need loose comfortable clothes to wear while you're in hospital and for the journey home. It will take a while for your tummy to go down, so you'll probably still need your maternity clothes when you get home.
- Handouts about how to get breastfeeding started, which you received at your antenatal classes. If you have a contact card for a breastfeeding counsellor or specialist, take that with you too.
- Nursing bras. Bring two or three.
- Maternity pads. Bring a couple of packs.
- Nightshirt or T-shirt. Front-opening shirts are useful in the early days of breastfeeding.
- Toiletries. Smaller bottles, or buy travel versions, to save on space in the postnatal ward. You may sweat more after birth, so take a deodorant.
- Towels, hairbrush, toothbrush and toothpaste.
- Old or cheap knickers, or disposable knickers. Don't bring your best ones as they will get messy. Big cotton knickers can be useful if you end up having a caesarean, as they won't rub your wound.
- Arnica cream. Although there's no conclusive evidence that it works, some women report that arnica cream helps to reduce bruising and helps the healing process. Don't apply the cream to broken skin.
- Eye mask and earplugs, to help you sleep on a brightly lit, noisy ward.
What should I pack for my baby?
- Two or three sleepsuits and vests.
- Baby blanket. Although hospitals are very warm, your baby may need a blanket if it's chilly outside when you leave.
- Nappies. Your newborn will go through as many as 12 in a day.
- Muslin squares, for mopping up any milk your baby brings up (possetting).
- One pair of socks or booties
- One outfit for the trip home (all-in-one stretchy outfits are easiest).
- Baby car seat. Some hospitals won't let you leave by car without one.
- Jacket or snowsuit for winter babies.
Once you've got your hospital bag organised, remind yourself of the first signs of labour so you'll know when it's the real thing!
As you probably noticed we have various hospital bags in the offer to help women around the country during one of the most stressful times in a woman’s life, giving a birth.
Pregnant women have anxieties about when, and what to pack in their hospital labor bags. To make it easier we decided to prepare them for YOU MUMS and take some of the stress from YOU. On Each listing You may find what each bag contains and be sure that they are all different giving you better chance to find something you like.
We think about each person’s budget by offering a range of prepared hospital labor bags in different value. With our pre-packed hospital labor bags mothers will have less stress on that unforgettable day when a woman gives the gift of life.
So be ready for the big moment MUMS !!!
