7/23/2023 0 Comments Labour hospital bag checklistYour hands may get tired though, so having a massage tool to hand might be a good back-up. You can help provide some natural pain relief. Birth partners get tired too, although probably best not to mention it! You may be able to grab some sleep in a chair, and having your own pillow will make you feel more comfortable. Check out the tools section to find a contraction timer that can help you keep track of contractions. You may find yourself doing a lot of walking in early labour, pacing up and down corridors and climbing stairs. Glasses may be more comfortable, especially for the drive home. Your lenses may dry out over time, irritating your eyes. Glasses, if you’re a contact lenses wearer.Chat to the mum-to-be about the kind of music she'd like during labour, and create an epic playlist for the big day. This can help to make the hospital or birth centre feel more like home, making it more relaxing. You could be waiting some time, so grab a good book or magazine, download a game on your phone, or pick up some sudoku or crossword puzzles. When the mum-to-be is trying to grab some rest, or doesn’t feel like talking, it’s good to have a distraction. Instead, choose snacks that will give you long-term energy, such as fruit, nuts, crisps, cereal bars and popcorn. Sugary snacks may give you a quick energy boost, but you don't want to risk a sugar crash just as your baby is crowning. That way, you won’t need to leave the mum-to-be. Although your hospital will have refreshments, it’s a good idea to have what you need to hand. It’s unlikely that anyone will pay much attention to your aches and pains, so it’s best to pack any medication you think you may need. If the mum-to-be has a birth plan, keep a copy with you. Are there any printouts from antenatal classes, to help with breathing, or positions to help ease labour and birth? It's also a good idea to take your phone and bookmark any of your favourite Bab圜entre pages that you think might help in the moment, such as our hypnobirthing audio or labour timeline for birth partners. You may not get in the pool with her, but it’s good to have the option. Swimwear, if your partner is planning a water birth.Don't forget that there may be lots of pictures taken of you, so pack something insta-worthy, if that's your thing. You may want to bring some light clothes, as labour rooms can sometimes get quite hot, plus layers to add if it gets chilly. ![]() If you’re at hospital for a long time, with no chance of a shower, fresh clothes will help you feel that bit cleaner. When you’re tired, cleaning your teeth is a quick and easy way to freshen up, so pack your toothbrush and toothpaste (breath-freshening mints have a similar effect, if you’re too tired to get out of the chair). While you're getting things ready, take a moment to check that there's plenty of space on the memory card. Make sure batteries are fully charged, or bring spares. If you'd like to bring a camcorder, check with the hospital beforehand, because some may not allow them in delivery rooms. If you want professional-quality snaps or video of the big day, your phone might not cut it. In addition, you can use it to create a playlist of soothing or upbeat music, and be sure to bookmark any hypnobirthing tracks or helpful labour tips. Not only is your phone a great way to keep friends and relatives in the loop, it can also provide distractions and entertainment if labour is slow-going. If you’re driving, you’ll need money for the hospital car park, and it can also come in handy for vending machine snacks and drinks. What should be on my list to bring?If you want to be the ideal birth partner, here’s what you should pack: If you're parked at the hospital, and there's a separate bag for the baby, you may want to leave this in the car until you need it. You may need to store everything in a small cabinet by your partner’s bed. ![]() It's a good idea to check with the hospital what you can bring, for example some hospitals have an official policy that all electronics need to be checked by the hospital electrician in advance before they can be plugged in (though many are more relaxed than this in practice).If this is the case, you may want to bring a power bank that you can charge your phone from instead. Try to get a bag packed by the time she's about 36 weeks pregnant, as many babies arrive a few weeks before their due date. To do this well, you need to be comfortable too. When you’re in for the long haul, all your focus needs to be on supporting the mum-to-be. Labour can be long, and at times, believe it or not, boring. ![]() ![]() Checklist What to put in your hospital bag Use our printable checklist to be ready for the big day Why do I need to take my own stuff to hospital?There’s plenty of advice on what mums-to-be should take to hospital when having a baby, but when the big day looms there will be things that you need too.
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