Labour / birth Bag - what are the essentials?

What are the things you really need to pack in your birth bag? 

For mum

• your maternity notes
• birth preferences / plan (if you have)
• TENS machine (if you are planning to use one)
• warm socks in case you get cold feet during labour
• light clothing (hospitals and birth units are often very warm)
• Snacks and drinks (it is imprtant to snack and drink during labour to keep your energy up and stay hydrated)
• Pants (x10 ish) - large comfy size. Most women prefer to wear cheap supermarket ones rather than disposable pants
• Camera - if you wish to take pictures during labour or shortly after the birth of your baby
•  birth ball (if your birth venue does not provide one)
• a pillow from home (can make the birth venue feel less alien and more homely)
• Hot/cold pack for back or tummy
• books, games, music, knitting (whatever you fancy for distraction)
• Comb or hairbrush for acupressure
• NCT positions for labour sheet

For birth partner

• light clothing & change of clothes
• drinks & snacks
• phone list / email list (if you wish to announce baby's birth straight after)
• change for parking (although most places offer payment by card or phone)
• books, music, etc for distraction
• BRAIN (Benefits, Risks, Alternatives, Intuition, Nothing)
• camera (if you wish to take photos/video)
• notebook and pen 
• mobile phone

For baby

• nappies x 6
• cotton wool
• vests x 6
• baby grows x 6
• cardigan (for going outside / home)
• hat (for going outside / home)

 

 

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