Wondering what to pack in your birth bag for hospital? Well you're in luck, as Milli Hill - author of The Positive Birth Book - has written the ULTIMATE birth bag checklist...
Packing your birth bag is something nice and concrete you can do in the run up to birth, often a time of anxiety and uncertainties.
Once it’s done, you might feel that little bit more ‘ready’ for the huge life event of becoming a mother!
But the big question is - what do you need to pack in your birth bag?
If you’re choosing to give birth in a hospital or birth centre, you’ll probably want to have a back packed and ready to go from about 37 weeks (or sooner if you are keen and organised!).
If you’re having a home birth, you may still want to pack a bag in case of transfer to a hospital during labour.
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Here's my birth bag checklist...
**· Your birth plan & maternity notes **- This is pretty much the only ‘essential’ thing. If you find yourself dashing to the hospital in an emergency, try to grab these if nothing else.
· A change of clothes to go home in – loose fitting, comfy or maternity clothes are fine – you are unlikely to fit back into your old jeans for a little while!
· Wash bag, toothbrush, toiletries, a loo roll
· Cosmetics & travel hairdryer
· **Maternity pads (these are just like sanitary towels built for heavy flow), or tena pants if you prefer **- you can get disposables or washable cloth pads, depending on your personal preference.
· ** Several pairs of comfy knickers** – No need for paper pants these days! Just buy a cheap pack of nice big granny pants!
· ** ** Nightie / Pajamas that are good for skin to skin & breastfeeding - i.e easy to open at the front
· Slippers or flip flops
· Baby clothes - vest, babygro, hat. Take three or four changes for baby.
· Newborn nappies, cotton wool or baby wipes
· Baby blanket – usually you will get at least one as a gift!
· Mobile and charger
· Container for placenta (if you are keeping it or having it encapsulated)
**· Snacks / drinks for labour **- suggestions: coconut water, Purdeys drinks, bananas, flapjack bars, glucose tablets, favourite foods to keep up energy
· Drinks bottle or straws - this will make hydrating in labour easier
· Supplies for partner - eg snacks, toothbrush, book, music, change of clothes
· One or two photos of people and places you love - a photo to remind you of your strength or courage is also good, for example the day you climbed that mountain or got that certificate you never thought was possible!
· Your own pillowcase - to put on hospital pillow, or better still take your own pillow or two!
· Massage oil – pure base oil with optional essential oils of your choice
**· Tens machine **(if you’re using one)
· Lip balm or coconut oil for dry lips
· Spritzer spray of water, with a few optional drops of calming oil eg lavender - this can be cooling or soothing in later labour.
· Hot water bottle (the heat can be soothing on your bump or back)
· Birth ball - If you want your own / are not sure if place of birth will supply
**· Champagne plus travel cups! **After the tea and toast is out the way, you might be in the mood to celebrate!
· Baby car seat - if you birth away from home you will also need to remember your baby car seat to bring your newborn home
That should be everything you need, but even if you forget something, don’t panic. Ultimately, the only thing you really need to have your baby is yourself, some good support and a big bag of strength and courage!
*Milli Hill is the author of The Positive Birth Book, Founder of The Positive Birth Movement, a global network of antenatal discussion groups, and was a guest speaker at *The Baby Show.
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