Hospital Bag for Labour – What to Pack?
It's as well to have your hospital bag for labour ready at least 1 month before your due date. But what do you include? Some pack everything but the kitchen sink and others miss out on the vital stuff and realize when it's too late. I remember packing a huge suitcase filled with everything from champagne to maternity pads and leaving poor hubby to lug it around the hospital for me. There was no separate labour ward bag packed so it was a rush to decide on, and then find all I needed for there.
It's best to do your research and be well prepared so you're not caught out like I was. Firstly, prepare a list of what you'll need and prepare a separate list for what you'll use in the labour ward. The other items won't be needed until you return to your room after baby arrives. Place the labour ward items in a small bag which will fit nicely into the main bag.
Don't forget to buy a Newspaper for that day to keep as a reminder. You'll find it interesting to read some day!
And finally, forget the champagne – it will be wasted on your visitors who'll get tipsy, loud, annoy the other mums, ogle you breastfeeding and then not take the hints to leave! Plus, you won't feel like indulging yourself, especially when nursing a newborn.
So, use that time towards the end of the pregnancy to plan your hospital bag for labour and have it packed well before your due date. Best also to leave that kitchen sink at home! Store it somewhere safe away from the kids, not forgetting where you put it of course!
It's best to do your research and be well prepared so you're not caught out like I was. Firstly, prepare a list of what you'll need and prepare a separate list for what you'll use in the labour ward. The other items won't be needed until you return to your room after baby arrives. Place the labour ward items in a small bag which will fit nicely into the main bag.
- During labour –
- Short, light nightdress with buttons at the top if breastfeeding
- Slippers & dressing gown
- Disposable knickers
- Large Maternity Pads
- A Good Book or Magazine
- Bottled water
- Sweets for dad
- Camera
- 2 Nappies & a baby outfit
- After Baby Arrives –
- Face Cloths & Dark coloured towels
- Cotton Pyjamas with easy openings if breastfeeding
- Moist toilet tissue/wipes
- Nappies
- Baby Clothes
- Pampering toiletries
- Mobile phone and battery charger
- Notebook & pen
- Magazines/books
- Bran/ fruit/ linseeds etc. to minimize constipation
- Plastic bottle – pour warm water on ‘nether regions' after the loo!
Don't forget to buy a Newspaper for that day to keep as a reminder. You'll find it interesting to read some day!
And finally, forget the champagne – it will be wasted on your visitors who'll get tipsy, loud, annoy the other mums, ogle you breastfeeding and then not take the hints to leave! Plus, you won't feel like indulging yourself, especially when nursing a newborn.
So, use that time towards the end of the pregnancy to plan your hospital bag for labour and have it packed well before your due date. Best also to leave that kitchen sink at home! Store it somewhere safe away from the kids, not forgetting where you put it of course!
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