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Packing for a Hospital Birth

Use the checklists to help you get prepared. Once labour starts you will find it very handy.

For labour

• Phone numbers for when labour starts: birth partner, midwife, hospital, relatives.
• Watch/clock with second hand for timing contractions
• Mobile phone and change for telephone calls.
• Change for car parking, food and drinks.
• Things to do if nothing is happening: books, magazines, travel games
• Food & drinks for you and your birth partner
• Massage oil, lotion or powder
• TENS machine if using
• Slippers and warm socks
• Nightdress/ T-Shirt (or whatever you want to wear while in labour, nothing is fine!)
• Toothbrush, toothpaste and mouthwash
• Hairbrush, clips or bands
• Anything else to make you feel comfortable
• Camera
• Possibly bubble bath (if it's a long labour you may like to have a soak in the bath)

For after the birth

• Dressing gown, nightdresses
• Underwear
• Maternity sanitary towels
•  breast pads, nipple cream
• Changing bag, nappies, nappy sacks and wipes
• Baby clothes
• Toiletries (soap, shampoo, flannel)
• If you didn't want a camera during labour you probably will now!

For going home

• Comfortable outfit (from when you were about 5 months pregnant) & shoes
• Baby car seat (check beforehand that you know how to fit it)
• Outfit for the baby

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