What’s Inside Your Labour Bag?

Packing your bag for the big event of birthing your baby is a very surreal experience.. and it can really be nerve-wracking.

Especially if it’s your first time. You want to make sure you have everything on hand you can to be comfortable when the time comes, but you don’t want to bring so much that you are lugging suitcases into the birthing suite.

Having a fully-organised hospital bag prepared ahead of your due date is one less thing you will have to worry about. Plus, going into labour is hard enough, you wouldn’t want to make it harder by stressing over whether you brought your spare phone charger or your favourite socks.

It would be hard to forget essential things like hospital paperwork. But what about little things like breath mints and a bottle of massage oil? You want to make sure you have these things with you because you will definitely need them.

From the most important to the most trivial, here is a complete list of the things you will need to have inside that hospital bag.

via economictimes.indiatimes.com

1) Documents

• Medicare Card
• Private health care card
• Any Health Records you might need
• Birth Plan (if you have one)

You can call up the hospital and inquire about their procedure so you would not be caught off guard.

via charliepress.com

2) Personal Hygiene

For Mum:

Giving birth can get ugly. You don’t have to be. Make sure you pack what you need to feel comfortable. Pajamas, breast pads, maternity bra and black underwear – it’s a must! The hospital will provide clothing, but your own clothes will make you relaxed and at home. You can also bring a travel size container of your shampoo, lotion, soap and toothbrush. Don’t forget some lanolin cream for your nipples if you are breastfeeding.

This is totally optional, but you can also bring some hair accessories such a hairdryer and a little bit of makeup. You will want to look a bit nice before the well wishers arrive!

• Lip Balm
• Hair bands
• Hair Brush
• Soft Face washer
• Fluffy Dressing Gown
• Slippers
• Warm Socks
• Heat pack and ice packs (if the hospital doesn’t have them)
• Soft toilet paper or flushable toilet wipes (soft on the sore hoo-hah if it’s a vaginal delivery!)
• Maternity Pads

  via petapixel.com

3) Camera

You and hubby will also want to call loved ones to tell them the good news. Of course, you’ll want to snap a picture of your little angel!

• Phone and phone charger
• Camera and charger
• Video camera
• Music

  

4) Baby Essentials:

Clothes: bring booties, mittens, socks, blanket, towels, and a warm beanie. Think warm and comfy as your baby would still likely have bad circulation. Most hospitals provide some sort of baby gown but if you prefer they use the ones you brought along, make sure the clothes are marked for easier distinction.

Nappies: at this point, you might have already decided on what kind of nappy you want to use, cloth or disposables. Whatever your choice is, you should ask the hospital what they will be providing and at the same time, inform them of your preference.

Baby toiletries: just because your baby’s small, you would think they would not need much. Well, you will be surprised at the many toiletries you have to pack in your maternity bag. They include nappy rash cream, soap free baby wash, cotton and baby wipes. Just make sure the lotions do not contain any ingredients which could harm your child’s skin. As much as possible, choose products with organic ingredients and are certified by respectable government agencies to be safe for baby’s use.

Feeding bottles and formulas: if you will not be breastfeeding, you should bring with you sterilized bottles and milk formula.

Other Baby Essentials:

• At least 3 Singlets
• At least 3 Grow suits
• Blankets/bunny rugs
• Nice going-home outfit for bub
• Muslin wrap
• A dummy (just in case, washed and sterilised)
• Big tub of wipes

  

5) Other needs:

This is totally optional and can depend on your preferences. But you might want to remember to bring the following:

• Snacks
• Meals
• Water bottle
• CD or iPod
• Breath mints
• Plastic bags for dirty clothes
• Personal Belongings -Smartphones, Wallet, Money, etc.
• A pen and notebook/paper

Suffice to say, your maternity bag will hold the most important things you will need during and after labour. Make a detailed list prior to packing your maternity bag in order to avoid leaving anything behind.

If you’d like a downloadable printable list for your maternity bag –  click here!  

We also have a list for baby’s bag – click here! 

Anything else you think we should add to the list?  Let us know!