Large undies that don’t sit on your wound.A bag for sending dirty clothes home for washingįor caesarean births (in addition to the main list).A notepad and pen for tracking your baby’s feeding sessions, writing down questions for your midwife or doctor, noting what the paediatrician says, jotting down memories of your baby’s first few days and starting to fill out the birth registration paperwork.Toiletries, including your hairbrush, toothbrush and toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo and conditioner.A few sets of comfortable day clothes, including something to wear home.Front-opening or loose-fitting nighties or tops if you plan to breastfeed.Sanitary pads – either ‘super’ size or maternity size (available at the supermarket).Two or three comfortable and supportive bras, including maternity bras if you plan to breastfeed.Plenty of disposable undies, or several pairs of large, comfortable cotton undies.Your glasses or contacts, and contact solution. Family phone numbers that you can call on a hospital phone, in case you are not allowed to use a mobile phone.A watch with a second hand, to time contractions.Sport drinks, lemonade or diluted juice.Your phone (with credit) and a charger (though you may not be able to plug your charger in until you have moved to your room or ward).Aromatherapy oils and burner – check whether you can use an electric burner at your hospital (you won’t be permitted to use one with a naked flame).Check whether your hospital has a CD player or radio that you can use Some hospitals won't let you use the delivery room electrical sockets, so you may need a battery operated CD player or a charged device. Toiletries (including lip balm) and tissues.Glasses or contact lenses, if you wear them (Note: your glasses may fog up during labour, and you cannot wear contacts during a caesarean.).Items such as books, magazines, games or knitting to help pass time in early labour.Any labour-helping devices, such as a birthing ball, heat pack or TENS pain relief machine.Massage oil or lotion if you would like to be massaged during labour.An old nightdress or a t-shirt that you don’t mind getting messy, to wear during labour.A light dressing gown, for early labour when you may walk around the hospital corridors.Your birth plan External Link – that is, a written list of what you’d like to happen when you are in labour and how you’d like to give birth.Money (possibly a credit card) for hospital parking.Any hospital paperwork that you have completed in advance.Your Medicare card and, if you have private health insurance, your insurance membership number.Your antenatal records (if you have them).For hospital admission (to give to the maternity unit’s admission desk) The following items are listed as a checklist, for you to print and tick off. If you don’t have a mobile phone, make a list of vital phone numbers to keep in your bag (such as those of your partner, your birthing partner, and whoever will be looking after your other children). If you’re planning to give birth at a midwifery-led birth centre, your midwife will probably give you a list of what you need to pack. So, check what the hospital provides and what you can bring yourself. They may also differ in what they allow you to bring from home (such as pillows and valuables). having enough credit on your mobile phone.ĭifferent hospitals have different policies on what they provide for your baby (such as blankets and nappies) and for you (such as maternity pads).some frozen pre-cooked meals that you can use when you come home.some stores (for example, toilet paper, nappies and paracetamol ) for when you come home from hospital.a safe and comfortable space for your baby to sleep at home.the route you will take to the hospital.standby babysitting for your other children.having petrol in your car for driving to the hospital.And sometimes babies arrive early.Īt around 36 weeks, pack your bag so you’re ready to go at a moment’s notice.Įven if you are planning a home birth, it’s a good idea to have a bag packed in case you need to go to hospital for a premature birth, or if you have pregnancy or birth complications.Īs well as packing your bag, you need to plan: Think about what you might want to take with you, and set these items aside.ĭoing this early is helpful because in your last few weeks of pregnancy, you may feel too tired or distracted or busy to buy or collect what you need. When to pack for hospitalĮarly in your third trimester (after 29 weeks and until you have your baby) is a great time to get organised. The main considerations are what you and your baby need after the birth. Packing for hospital is an exciting part of preparing for the birth of your baby.ĭepending on your hospital, how long you will stay in hospital, and your birth plan, the items you need may vary.
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