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Most women, as they approach the final weeks of pregnancy, start to think
about packing their hospital bags – What to take? What will be used, and what
will be left in the bag?
Unless you have any reason to think that you are at risk of premature labour,
then 36 weeks is about the right stage to start getting organised. Obviously,
your requirements will be different if you are planning a caesarean section, and
we’ve put together lists for both possibilities. I've also added links to
products which are stocked in the
THM
Shop
I’d recommend packing one bag for the labour ward, that your birth partner can
take back home with him after the birth, and a separate bag to take onto the
maternity ward. The list for a vaginal delivery assumes that you will be
spending one night in hospital, and the list for a caesarean section allows for
you remaining on the ward for longer than that before being discharged. In
either case, make sure that someone knows where to find extra supplies, just in
case you need them.
If you are planning a home birth, it is still a good idea to keep a bag packed
with the basics, in case you have to be transferred to hospital during labour,
or immediately afterwards.
To jump to the list for a vaginal delivery, click
here
If you are booked in for a caesarean section, click
here
For a Vaginal delivery
Labour bag
- T Shirt/nightshirt (for labour) plus a change for after the birth
- Slippers
- Socks
-
Water Facial Spray
- Lip Salve
- Flannels/sponge
- Arnica 200
- Bendy Straws
- Dextrose Sweets
- Water
- Food: Biscuits, Muesli Bars Etc
- Magazines/Book
- Phone Card, plus list of phone numbers
- CD's and Player with speakers – check with your hospital first if this is
allowed
- Camera
- Birth Plan and Antenatal Notes
- TENS Machine/ Bach Rescue Remedy/Birth Ball/Labour massage oils
(if you
are planning to use them)
- Face Fan
- Support Pillow
Maternity ward bag
- Disposable Knickers (Take one pack in with you) or several pairs of
old/dark knickers
-
Maternity Pads (One pack)
-
Breast Pads
- Nursing Bras – if you are planning to breastfeed
- Pyjamas or nightshirts X 2
- Lightweight dressing gown
- Towels (take dark towels with you)
-
Muslin Squares
-
Toiletries
- Tissues
-
Lansinoh Lanolin Cream – if you are planning to breastfeed
- Snacks/drinks
For your baby
Going Home
- Going Home outfit for you – expect to need very loose clothes, probably
maternity wear still.
-
Going Home outfit for your baby
- Snowsuit and hat (if born in cold weather) or Sun Hat (if born in summer!)
- Blanket
- Car seat
For a Caesarean section
Maternity ward bag
- Disposable Knickers (Take one pack in with you, make sure they are the
high cut ones rather than bikini style, so that they don’t irritate your scar)
-
Maternity Pads (Take one pack in with you and make sure your
husband/partner knows where the rest of them are!)
-
Breast Pads (Johnsons are probably the best of the disposable ones,
if you'd prefer disposable pads)
- Nursing Bras – if you are planning to breastfeed
- Pyjamas or nightshirts X 2
- Lightweight dressing gown
- Towels (take dark towels with you)
-
Muslin Squares
-
Toiletries
- Tissues
-
Lansinoh Lanolin Cream – if you are planning to breastfeed
- Snacks/drinks
- Carton drinks (easier to drink before you are able to sit upright)
- Peppermint tea/Peppermint cordial (to relieve trapped wind)
- Carbo Veg (for the trapped wind)
- Bellis perennis (for deep muscle pain)
- Calendula (for healing stitches/scar quickly)
- Hypericum (for if the stitches really sting). You need all of these in a
higher potency than 6c, 200c is ideal from
www.helios.co.uk 30c will do if you
haven't got access to a homeopathic pharmacy.
For your baby
Going Home
- Going Home outfit for you – expect to need very loose clothes, probably
maternity wear still.
-
Going Home outfit for your baby
- Snowsuit and hat for baby (if born in cold weather)
- Sun Hat for baby (if born in summer!)
- Blanket
- Car seat
Make sure that your husband/partner knows where to find your stores of
disposable knickers/maternity pads etc, so that he can bring in new supplies as
you need them.
Going overdue? Why not take a look at our 'Get
Set for Labour' or 'Relaxation
for Labour' articles
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