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What to Take to Hospital
Your hospital bag is as much a tradition of the childbirth experience as is wetting the babys head.
08:01 09 June 2009
Your hospital bag is as much a tradition of the childbirth experience as is 'wetting the baby's head'. This article also appears on www.bbc.co.uk/parenting/having_a_baby
It's in the bag
Ideally, you should pack your bag with all your essentials, toward the last two weeks of your pregnancy. If you're having a home birth, put aside the things you don't always have at your fingertips, so you know you won't need to do anything else when the time comes.
It can be useful to have two bags " one for labour, and one for your stay on the ward afterwards.
Labour bag
Include:
- a clean t-shirt or front opening nightie, dressing gown and slippers " plus bed socks if you have a tendency to get cold feet
- drinks and snacks for you and whoever is going to be with you
- a small facial sponge, for dabbing and sucking on
- body oil, fine talcum powder or lotion for back rubs
- music tapes/CDs and a battery-operated player
- a hairband and brush, soap, towel and flannel, toothbrush and paste, other toiletries as desired
- maternity pads " night time sanitary pads are fine " and knickers.
"Info:Keep water spray in the fridge until you leave for the hospital. It's great for gentle cool-downs during labour."
Get your camera or video camera for taking pictures during and afterward the birth. Check with the hospital first, though, as some units don't allow it.
Hospital bag
Pack:
- a front opening nighties (easiest for breastfeeding)
- comfy clothes (like a tracksuit and t-shirts)
- sandals or easy fitting footwear
- knickers and maternity pads for heavy bleeding after birth
- nursing bras (two, at least, as you can get sweaty in hospital and if your milk comes early your bra may get wet if your breasts leak)
- towels (take one or two - your partner can bring clean towels if you are required to stay in hospital longer)
- toiletries and cosmetics
- breast pads (absorb leaks of colostrum and milk)
- phone card/coins (you can't use mobiles in hospital)
- magazines and books
- writing materials
- personal music player/radio
- biscuits and snacks
- favourite breakfast cereal
- favourite tea bags
- fruit juice/mineral water.
In most places, your baby will be lent a nightie and bedding, though you may need to bring in your own nappies. Remember you'll need clothing for yourself and your baby to travel home in, but someone can bring that in for you once you've had your baby.