Thank you! Those are great suggestions definitely a couple of things I hadn't thought of! XThe things I would highly recommend taking are some wash cloths or decent wipes for yourself, reason being after baby girl had finally emerged and the whole event was over I felt absolutely filthy and desperate for a shower, I had thrown up all over myself and was covered in some kind of gunk but wasn’t allowed to get up out of the bed for about 4 hours as I’d had an epidural, so at least if you have some cloths or wipes you can get your oh to give you a bit of a sponge bath in bed!
Would recommend taking some personal care bits like moisturiser, lip balm even a bit of make up if you’re inclined, i felt a million times better for just putting a bit of tinted moisturiser and lippy on
A big loose t-shirt or dressing gown for giving birth in - oh the excitement of going shopping for a labour outfit
Some comfortable loose clothes for afterwards, with easy access to boobs if you are wanting to breastfeed
Large comfy knickers
Massive sanitary towels
The obvious stuff like toothbrush, shampoo etc
Your phone charger
Some spare cash and change for things like parking, cash for the hospital cafe/shop
for the baby - a blanket, vests and baby gros, a hat, get baby gros with built in scratch mitts (much easier), nappies, cotton wool or decent wipes like water wipes, nappies, a fancier baby gro for some nice pictures, if you are formula feeding not too sure what you need for that but I know you have to take your own formula in, if you are planning to bf but struggle to the point where you need to give baby a bit of formula the hospital might provide that they just won’t provide formula if you intend to formula feed right from the off
Some snacks for yourself like packs of nuts, cereal bars, etc
that’s off the top of my head, if I think of anything else crucial I’ll update this thread
I've got the my expert midwife bundle which includes nipple cream. Planning on BF so wont be taking anything bottle or formula wise. I did write down flip flops/slippers! But I dont ever really wear slippers so think it will be flip flops!
also take another one to sleep in, in case you spend the night. If you're planning to labour in water, think about what you might want to wear, like a tankini or bikini top or something. Some women wear t-shirts, some go naked.
Great list, and I've got most of them on mine too! With the exception of a couple. Doing hypnobirthing so working on my items/songs to increase oxytocinI haven't read the previous replies, so this might be duplicating things, but this is what i say in the antenatal classes that I give:
Nightie/vest/ dress what ever you plan to labour/deliver in. Might need a couple for this as it gets mucky
Loads of pairs of massive black pants. Don't rely on the disposable ones, they're not the best.
A couple of packs of maternity pads for your pants (they look and feel like boats but hey)
Lip balm (essential if youre having gas and air)
Take plastic bags for your dirty/wet clothes.
A drink bottle that has an inbuilt straw
breast pads and nursing bras
if formula feeding most trusts will need you to take in the formula starter packs that are pre-made.
Cool spritz spray as your face will get really, really hot!
your wash bag - dont forget a hair tie and hair brush and tooth brush, most people seem to forget these bits.
socks (your feet can get cold in labour)
flip fops - no one wants to walk on the hospital floor really
Tennis ball (for lower back massage by your birthing partner and you can also roll it in your hands to distract you from contractions)
Snacks (lots of) for you and your birthing partner. High energy stuff that you can just nibble on if you feel nauseous, but that will give you a decent energy fix. I usually say, jelly babies, haribo, percy pigs.....cereal bars whatever (anyone with gestation diabetes needs to be careful what they eat obviously) lucozade sport is also a really good drink to take it (the flat water one) cause it gives you that energy burst even if you can't bring yourself to eat anything.
Comfy clothes for wearing at the hospital/traveling home in,
download films/series on to a tablet or phone before you go, labour can be boring! it's not all dramatic lol. Partners get really REALLY bored.
Spare clothes/underwear/deodorant for partner
Remember ibuprofen and paracetamol for at home
Nipple cream
Nappies for babe
few sleep suits
couple of hats
take some cotton wool too but most trusts will supply this for cleaning babies bums.
Also, think of a playlist of your favourite music, music that you really enjoy causes your pituitary gland to secrete oxytocin, which is the hormone needed for contractions.
Some LED candles if you want them there
thank you!
That's good to know! Yes got some headphones on my list I often prefer to listen on headphones. Spa type music and positive affirmations mostly at the moment.. some of the music I'm into isn't exactly relaxing lol! X
Yeah but if it makes you feel good then that’s all that matters
x
True, maybe I'll work on a playlist of songs I like. I was also planning on buying some affirmation cards tooYeah but if it makes you feel good then that’s all that matters
You could also write some positive birth affirmations (or you can buy them) to stick on the area round your birth space. I’m planning on a homebirth this time and will be doing that here
I love the thought of home birth but this is first baby and I'm not sure I'm that confident. But I do want to birth in the midwife led unit x
True, maybe I'll work on a playlist of songs I like. I was also planning on buying some affirmation cards too
Wow that's amazing! I'm all about positive birth stories. I cannot stand hearing trauma stories of which there are far too many! I'd love to hear more women saying 'you know what it was tiring but it was the best experience of my life' I just want to enjoy it as much as I possibly can - it is the most important day of my life after all! X
Im a home birth/stand alone MW-led centre midwife so I’m probably a bit biased
x
