Hospital Bag Essentials
Living in New Zealand, women in Central Otago may have to pack a little more because our closest maternity unit is 2.5 hours away. I was sent there with a little scare and ended up staying for four days. After that, I had three days at our local maternity unit. You better believe my partner had to run out to the shop to get clean underwear!
It's important to pack your hospital bag before your due date to prepare for labor and delivery. There's a lot of information out there about what to bring, but you really just need the essentials. I thought I was prepared by buying diapers, but they were too big for my little one. I also thought getting newborn items would be a waste, but it turned out she needed newborn clothes for the first eight weeks. I would recommend the following
For Your Baby:
Babygrows and vests: Pack a few in different sizes (newborn and 0-3 months) in case your baby is bigger or smaller than expected. Zips are way better than poppers! I would get the ones with feet and ones that roll over the hands to protect from scratches. I had a cute outfit to leave the hospital which i did not use! Pack two baby grows per day.
Hat: Newborns lose heat quickly, so a soft hat is essential. We got given some lovely knitted hats from the hospital that people drop in for babies
Blanket: we had a nice cuddly one our little one loved
Swaddles: These are great for night, we were taught how to swaddle in the maternity unit. I also loved the love to dream swaddle sleeping bag that was 2.5 Tog as it was the middle of winter
Car Seat: Properly installed in your car before heading to the hospital. We were able to bring ours along to a lady trained in this to ensure we had fitted it correctly.
Nappies, Wipes and Bottie barrier cream: The hospital will provide some, but you might want your preferred brand. I love the made for baby natural skincare
For Labour:
Gym ball: Sitting or gently bouncing on the ball can help relieve pressure on your lower back and hips, which is especially useful during labour.
Tens Machine: I got this through work but you can hire them or sometimes your midwife has them. They are great for pain relief
Bluetooth Speaker: I made a play list and played it throughout labour
Oil diffuser and lights: were perfect for making the hospital room feel nicer
Birth Plan: If you have made one, make sure to pack it or give it to your partner.
For you:
Comfy Cloths: For Labour and after delivery. I had black which is great for not showing any stains
Nursing bras and breast feeding friendly pyjamas: Bring plenty of sets as you do leak
Postpartum Panties: I loved these the first few days after giving birth
Black stretchy underwear and maternity pads: Great to progress into these, lovely and comfortable! Make sure you bring plenty as you bleed a lot after giving birth
Perineal ice packs: Are great in the early days to help reduce swelling and ease pain. You can keep them in the freezer on the ward
Silverettes: I loved these in the early days when learning to breast feed as my little one caused some trauma and I found these helped to ease it
Compression Leggings and tubigrip: I used the tubigrip, it’s great for the first few days, their is evidence to support its use for diastasis. I used the compression leggings once I got to the maternity unit, these were great for that added support
Slippers and dressing gown: I had my little one in winter so loved these homely comforts when feeding
Pillow: hospital pillows are terrible so bring your own!
Toiletries: deodorant as wow feeding makes you hot, but stuff to wash my face was all I used
Living rurally I did order most of the stuff online but anything we needed when at the hospital we were able to run out and get so don’t stress about what’s in your bag. Everyone experiences giving birth differently, you may be there for a short time or for a longer duration, this is just the things I found to be helpful.
Ally x