What’s in the bag?
Or suitcase if you’re me. A small one may I add!
I loved packing my hospital bag and repacked it several times for no reason other than to look at those tiny outfits I’d packed. I began packing my case at around 35 weeks having written a list, not dissimilar to the one I’m about to share with you. The end product looked slightly different to my first list, as over the weeks people would make good suggestions and I was constantly reading about what to include.
First of all, pack a small suitcase or you’ll end up with 3 bags. This is not useful for a potentially quick dash from the abandoned car to the birth place of choice. Remember, hypnobirthing can make for a short labour. A suitcase on wheels is just one of those small things that will make life so much easier. Even if you’re planning a wonderful home birth, a suitcase is a great way to keep everything all in one place, one less thing to think about.
Secondly, make a list of what you are going to need to pack at the very last minute. You need this list as you are going to be fully focused on your breathing, visualisations and relaxation techniques. Therefore, your birth partner/guardian can pack these last remaining essentials into the front pocket of your case; your phone(s), charger, fruit (for snacking), nursing pillow, hospital notes, money for parking and food. TIP; before leaving the hospital, you can reclaim for parking money, but you can’t have it back once you have left the car park.
So, in the actual suitcase, baby and I shared that and Dad had the zippy bit on the inside of the front part of the case. He might need snacks/drinks, a hat to cover up not done hair, clean change of clothes including underwear and glasses/contact lenses including spare pairs. TIP; have the car seat in the car already because you can’t leave the hospital without one.
Mum’s list;
Toiletry bag; tooth brush & paste, flannel, luxury shampoo/conditioner/wash to treat yourself, deodorant as basics. I really splashed out on these luxury items because I knew such a treat would make me feel wonderful afterwards. I even included a razor just in case I hadn’t shaved beforehand. Hair clips/bobbles are a must too.
After birth clothes; super thick fluffy slipper socks for a Winter birth, a nightie, dressing gown, slippers. You might want to take a couple of nighties or pjs in case of blood loss which is totally normal.
Knickers; the biggest, comfiest ones you can find. I also took a few packs of disposable ones which are cheap to buy, comfy and don’t spoil your own underwear. They also have a dish of these next to the toilet wherever you give birth.
Going home clothes and shoes; super loose and comfy. However you’re birth turns out, you aren’t going to be walking out of the hospital in your skinny jeans. Loose, loose, loose. In early December, I walked out in a maxi dress, best decision. Remember your coat too but that can be left in the car until you are discharged.
Make-up bag and hair brush; the day your baby arrives or shortly after, Bounty will come visit you to photograph your baby. You might want to get in on these photos but even if you don’t, it’s nice to freshen up after birth and wack on your face.
Pads of every sort; breast pads as even if you choose not to feed, you will leak for a little while. Maternity pads are amazing, they are super thick sanitary towels and make sitting down more cushioned and comfortable. They soak up a lot too and after a number of weeks, you may want to revert to using ordinary sanitary pads, but these are no where near as comfy. Keeping your maternity pads in the fridge with a drop of lavender oil on is an added benefit for swollen bits and stitches.
Food and drink; I can’t express my gratitude enough for the existence of orange juice in cartons with a straw. Acting as a laxative and making that dreaded first toilet trip easy. I took so much food with me; flapjack bars, cereal bars, fruit that I packed 5 minutes before we left, sweets, energy tablets, pot noodles. Pack snacks that will keep your energy up and help with recovery.
Creating your birth nest; Wherever you give birth, feel free to take anything that will help you relax. Remember, relaxation stimulates the production of all those hormones we need to make our labour and birth comfortable; spa cds/playlists/MP3s, massage oil, tennis ball, lavender oil on a tissue, (waterproof) LED candles, bikini if you want a pool birth (I’d pack one anyway as you might decide you want one even if initially you didn’t).
Baby’s list;
Clothes; pack 5 lots of vests and baby grows, mitts, hats.
Feeding; how are you going to feed your baby? Do you need to take any milk with you? There are small bottles of ‘ready to go’ milk, with and without teats. Hospitals have electric breast pumps if your wanting to try feeding yourself. They also have cold water sterilisers, so you don’t need to take lots of bottles.
Bibs and muslin cloths; babies bring up all that ‘stuff’ that was inside them from the womb for a couple of days after being born.
Changing; nappies, nappy bags, cotton wool or wipes, a gentle barrier cream.
A blanket; everyone has that favourite blanket that baby is wrapped up in on those first photos and it stays with them for a long time. My little girl still sleeps with her hospital blanket at 6 years old, it has such lovely memories for me.
Going home; car seat ready, going-home outfit on, is baby going to have a coat or a pram suit? Think about the weather and what it’s likely to be, don’t think about a pram suit in the middle of July, but a light coat might be more suitable.
I hope this has helped make things more simpler for you and taken away some of the stress and confusion that it gave me every time I thought about packing. Did I have the right stuff? Did I have everything I needed? What if I’ve forgotten something important? Bonus of a home birth, you can never forget to pack because everything is with you at home! (I will get a home birth one day!)
An expectant mum messaged me with a few questions the regarding hospital bag list as she made her way through it in order to pack hers. The first being can she take a hair dryer. I was in the birth center 4 days so by the 2nd I very much needed a full head to toe wash. I asked beforehand but yes I was allowed to use one.
Next, she asked about attire to travel in to the place of birth and for during the labour. Comfy comfy comfy. Skinny jeans are off the menu, but it depends on what stage you are at during that time. I had a kid’s head in my woo woo and I was aware that my waters hadn’t broken yet. I needed comfy leggings which were easy to remove at the other end. During labour…NAKED. You’ll be hot, you need something easily accessible and loose on your skin. I wore very little at this stage as I arrived fully dilated so it was a case of get the leggings off and birth the baby.
Don’t forget, someone can always bring something to you if you’re desperate for something that you haven’t taken.
May 2023 - Becky Capewell @ Repose