Everyone talks about what to pack in your hospital bag, but what do you pack in your labour birth bag? Yes, we suggest you pack two bags. A bag for your hospital stay and a bag to help make your labour the positive experience you envision.
Please find below the Parents You've Got This Ultimate Birth Bag checklist. To learn all about Birth and practical birth techniques, book into our fun, comprehensive and positive Birth Masterclass or for key points to note, download our Expert Guide.
Equipment to create your birth sanctuary
An essential oil burner / electric diffuser ⠀
Some fairy lights to transform your birthing room⠀
Some electric tea lights to create a birth sanctuary⠀
Birth ball (if your hospital doesn't have one)⠀
Music - playlist for birth / guided meditation
Of course, add in anything special to you which makes you feel more at ease (photos of your pets, family, photos of your favourite places)
Expert tip from our Positive Birth and Midwife Expert Narelle Tsiros – dim the lights when you first enter your hospital suite to help make it feel cozy.
Items to help with Labour Pains
An essential oil burner / electric defuser ⠀
Massage oils to relieve back pain from labour and that smell gorgeous
Heat and cold packs ⠀
Birth mantra - every contraction is one step closer to meeting my baby⠀
Spritz bottle (to spray your face)⠀
Tens machine (you can hire this)
Mama Must haves
Birth Plan (preference list)
Comfortable birthing outfit (nightie is a good idea)
Snacks to help you get through labour ⠀
Medicare card/health insurance card⠀
Hospital admissions file ⠀
Birth preferences list ⠀
Pregnancy history (ask your care provider to print this in the last few weeks of care)
Post-birth outfit (comfortable high wasted underwear, maternity pad, loose high-wasted soft pants, loose t-shirt, maternity bra, cardigan and slippers).
Water bottle
For the Birth Support Person
Spare t-shirt and pants (birth can be messy)
Closed shoes (Most hospitals have a closed shoe policy)
Phone (for photos) or camera and to help time contractions
Phone charger (in case it is a long labour)⠀
Some of your favourite snacks
A jumper (hospitals can be cold)
A phone list of people you want to share your big news with
Water bottle
Drivers license
Money for the car parking meter
Panadol
Expert Tip: Make sure you have the birth suite and your care provider's details saved on your phone. Rember to have the car refilled in the last few weeks before the baby is born and to have the baby capsule /car seat professionally fitted and ready to go.
Baby Must Haves
Your baby's first outfit to hand to the midwives to dress your baby in when they first arrive.
1 x Baby singlet
1 x Baby jumpsuit
1 x Baby beanie
1 x Set of baby booties
1 x Set of baby mittens (so they don't scratch their face)
1 x Pair of baby socks
Nappy & packet of wipes for baby's first poo (some hospitals supply - check with your hospital)
1 x Swaddle (bigger the better)
Baby blanket (your hospital generally gives you one for your stay, which you will need to return when you check out)
Don't forget the MOST important thing to pack in a Labour/ Birth bag is knowledge to make informed decisions, trust in your body, inner confidence & strength and a loving support person, love and smiles.⠀
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Heading into hospital is an exciting time, it means you are about to meet your baby :) We suggest you pack around 36 weeks. ⠀
Print this list so you can ticket off everything you need to bring to the hospital and don't forget to check out the Parents You've Got This Ultimate Hospital Bag checklist too.
Get excited it is nearly time to meet your precious baby and have the positive birth you have prepared for.
