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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