![]() ![]() Our advice on how to fit a baby or child car seat will give you extra peace of mind, too. Not exactly one to squeeze into the hospital bag but vital to remember when you head out, as you won't be able to leave the hospital in a car without one. Don't forget the charger and a portable charging bank, too, in case you don’t have access to a power socket. A smartphone for making calls, sending texts and updating social media can also be used for listening to birth playlists and hypnobirthing sessions during labour. Don't forget replacement electrode pads and any spare batteries you might need. TENS machine and other birth aids. You may want to use a birth ball, TENS machine, massage oil or other aids designed to increase your comfort or reduce pain during labour and birth.A couple of flannels might be useful, too, for cooling you down during labour or for bathing after the birth. ![]() Take towels for both you and baby – you can’t always guarantee you’ll be given one in hospital, and even if you are they're likely to be on the small side. ![]() Your birth plan is a written record that can help your care team to know what you'd like to happen when you're having your baby, as well as assisting your birth partner if they need to advocate for you. This is especially important if you’re away from your usual place of care when you go into labour. Your notes are where all the information about your pregnancy and medical history is recorded, so it’s important to keep them with you. Maternity medical notes and your birth plan.Pack the usuals: toothbrush, toothpaste, shower gel, shampoo and conditioner, contact lens solutions and containers if needed, plus lip balm and nipple cream if you're breastfeeding. It's worth taking plenty with you to help keep the area as dry as possible to avoid irritation or infections. Also known as maternity breast pads or nursing pads, they are available as disposable or reusable varieties. Breast pads. Post-birth, the 'let-down reflex', when you hear your baby crying or it's close to feeding time, will cause your breasts to leak milk in between feeds – even if you're not breastfeeding.Supportive bras. Your maternity bras should continue to give you support post-birth as long as they're still comfortable, or you could switch to breastfeeding bras with dropdown cups instead.The NHS suggests two packs of maternity or super-absorbent sanitary pads. Maternity sanitary pads. These are designed for blood leaks that tend to happen in the first few days after the birth.They'll also help to hold bulky maternity sanitary pads in place. Large knickers. Following the birth, big, stretchy cotton or disposable pants with a high waistband for comfort, especially if you've had stitches or are feeling tender.A comfortable outfit that will accommodate your baby belly (which won't go down right away) to go home in should also be on the list. Take a lightweight dressing gown and extra clothing in case you end up staying in hospital, as well as flip-flops or sliders for ease of use – especially after a C-section. Socks are also a good idea as your feet can get cold during labour. Perhaps a nightie/nightshirt or T-shirt to give birth in and a couple of others for after the birth – front-opening if you plan to breastfeed. Comfortable clothing. Think clothes that aren't going to restrict you.This might not be that easy if it's your first or you end up with a different kind of birth than you'd planned (for example, a C-section or a hospital birth rather than a home birth).īut what should you put in this vital bag? Watch our video to find out: ![]() As well as trying to anticipate what you might want for your own comfort, you also have to second-guess what your newborn will need. There's a lot to think about when you're getting your bag ready for the birth. Plus, we reveal which baby products are rated most – and least – useful by parents. It's a really good idea for your birth partner to get their hospital bag ready too, as the due date draws closer.įind out the most popular baby essentials. You may want to get your bag ready sooner than this if you're expecting multiples (from around the third trimester/around 27 weeks) or have been told by your medical team that you may give birth even earlier, such as if you've got pre-eclampsia. The NHS recommends getting it ready at least three weeks before your due date, but it's never too soon to pack your hospital bag – the last thing you want when labour kicks in is to be searching for things you bought months ago and put 'somewhere safe'.Įach year around one in 13 UK babies (approximately 60,000) are born before 37 weeks, so having your bag ready will mean you don't have to panic if your little one comes early. ![]()
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