Hospital Birth Bag Checklist
NHS Hypnobirthing Midwife Nissa Moger’s list of essentials to include in your hospital bag packing list for birth - for you, your baby and your birthing partner. Nissa suggests packing as if going for a short holiday and to stick to your list to avoid overpacking. Download and print the list at the end for your own use. Includes recommended essential oils to help labour and birth.
Unmissable Advice From NHS Midwife Nissa Moger For What To Include On Your Packing List For Your Hospital Birth Bag
What To Include In Your Birth Bag Packing List
Think about it as though you are packing for a short holiday. We are always tempted to pack more than we need so don't pack items unless you use in your everyday life!
10 Thing To Pack For Baby
Baby vests x 4
Baby grows (with legs and arms) x 4. This may seem like a lot, but you’ll be surprised how many they go through!!
Hat for the first 4 hours after birth and for the journey home
Cotton blanket
Cotton wool to gently clean baby’s bottom with warm water
Going home clothes: These will vary depending on the season but if it’s in the cooler months, your list should include a thicker layer to go on top of the baby grow
Nappies, a small pack
Muslin squares x 2 for mopping up milky dribbles spills etc
Socks or booties x 1
Car seat. You will need this to go home by car or taxi. To save you carrying it in, you can also ask your birth partner to bring it in after your baby is born.
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Learn Hypnobirthing with London’s original Hypnobirthing Midwife Nissa Moger, at her in-person group Hypnobirthing Classes in Leyton, London.
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Nissa has been running these in group classes since 2015 as The Hypnobirthing Midwife and was the first in London to start running hypnobirthing classes as a medically-trained midwife.
Nissa is a NHS midwife working in a busy London hospital where she leads a team of midwives supporting expectant parents on their journey through pregnancy, birth and postnatal care.
Nissa truly understands your needs as an expectant parent and brings her unique knowledge and experience to these in-person group hypnobirthing courses, to share with you.
Nissa holds just six of these group classes a year so be sure to book in advance to guarantee your place.
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Hospital Bag Ideas For Mum
Things To Take With You To Hospital During Labour And Birth
Hospital notes with your birth plan stapled to the front of your bag
Snacks (nuts, energy balls, dark chocolate, bananas, cereal bars or anything you fancy!)
Drinks (isotonic or coconut water is great)
Massage oil for labour (see note below about the best essential oils to bring with you)
Nightdress or long t-shirt/ vest x 2 (take two in case the first one gets dirty and you want to change) to wear during early labour. Although many mums prefer to be naked in strong labour
Lip balm as your lips become very dry especially if you use gas and air
Hairbands
TENS machine: this is good to help you cope in early and strong labour. You can rent or buy these.
A pillow with your own patterned cover on it, as there’s often a strange shortage of pillows and pillowcases in the hospital. If you take your own patterned cover it wont’ get absorbed by the hospital
Something to play music on, like a phone, iPad or small bluetooth speaker or headphones
A reusable bottle of water with your own straw in it. Keeping hydrated definitely helps your labour and a straw helps you drink more easily
A flannel as it feels so lovely to have your face wiped with warm or cool water
Water spray for your face for the same reason above
Also:
Best Essentials Oils To Help Labour And Birth
Clary sage and lavender essential oil are both really helpful during labour. Clary sage can increase your surges, so this is good if your labour is slow or surges are far apart/ mild. Lavender is excellent for relaxation. Add 3 drops of essential oil to a tissue and sniff OR to one tablespoon of base oil like almond, sunflower or coconut, and rub this onto your tummy and back
Birth Bag Packing List: After Birth
Soft pyjamas with an open front for breastfeeding (shirt style)
Slippers or flip flops
Bathrobe or dressing gown
Thick sanitary pads: your bleeding after birth is heavier than a period for 24 hours
5 pairs of disposable knickers (1-2 sizes bigger than normal) or old soft large knickers that you don’t mind throwing away afterwards. You’ll get through more than you think
Going-home clothes that are soft and stretchy. It’s common to be a bit sore and tender after birth, so the softer the better
A breastfeeding-friendly bra if you plan to breastfeed/ soft supportive bra if you don’t
Hairbrush
Toothbrush/ toothpaste, hand sanitiser, deodorant, shampoo, soap and face cream to make you feel fresh
Eye mask/ earplugs
Small portable touchlight for the night (tap to turn on and off). This is good for feeding in the night at home as well
Paracetamol
For Birth Partner
Plenty of food and snacks for during birth and after
Drinks!
Wallet with change for the parking and vending machine
Phone with useful numbers stored (midwife/ hospital)
Long phone charger
A change of clothes
Plastic bag for dirty clothes
Download and print out this hospital bag labour and delivery checklist.