
What are the things you really need to pack in your birth bag?
For mum
For birth partner
For baby
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)