13 essential items you should include in your hospital bag
When the big moment arrives it can be overwhelming to think of everything you might need in hospital for labour, birth and for the rest of your stay, so it pays to be prepared beforehand. With this handy checklist, you’ll be ready to dash out the door in a moment’s notice.
1. Handy snack bag
You and your support person will need to keep your energy up during labour. Pre-pack healthy, long-lasting snacks like muesli bars and juice boxes in a Nude Food Movers Light Lunch Bag so they’ll be stored conveniently and easy to find when you need them most.
Buy Nude Food Movers Light Lunch Bag
2. Pain-relief comb
Doula, Samantha Gunn, has a neat trick for helping ease labour – use an everyday comb like the B Beauty Wetcare Comb. It can be squeezed to hit acupuncture points in your hand while you’re in labour. Especially good for that bumpy car ride. Genius!
3. Camera to capture the unforgettable first moments
Whether your support person takes pictures before, during or after birth, these are once-in-a-lifetime moments you’ll want to look back on. An easy-to-use camera like the Vivitar 10.1MP Digital Camera is compact enough to slip in your hospital bag along with your snacks and clothes.
Buy Vivitar 10.1MP Digital Camera
4. The all-important phone
We all have our phones attached to us 24/7, but just in case it gets forgotten in the rush – remember to pack your phone for sharing the good news once your baby is born. The Samsung Galaxy A31 is slimline, economical and has 128GB of internal storage for saving those new-baby selfies.
5. A tablet for entertainment
Sometimes there are false starts or waits. Having a tablet like the JVC 10.1″ Android Powered 4G + WIFI Tablet handy, can entertain you during the down times, making the waiting that much more bearable.
Buy the JVC 10.1″ Android Powered 4G + WIFI Tablet
6. Swimwear for your birth partner
At some point during labour you may want the relief of a shower or bath. So your partner can physically support you at this time, it’s worth packing their swimwear or a change of clothes in case they get wet. Pack bathers for your birth partner, or a pair of shorts like the Wave Zone Men’s Heritage Boardies.
Buy Wave Zone Men’s Heritage Boardie
7. Wash cloth for cooling your face
Labour can be hot work. Pack a few wash cloths like the super soft 100 percent cotton House & Home Face Washers that can be soaked in cold water and used to soothe your face.
8 & 9. Pillow and pillowcase
Hospital rooms often don’t have enough pillows. Bring along your own like the House and Home High and Firm Pillow and House & Home 250 thread count Cotton Rich Pillowcase and you’ll be sure not to be caught short.
Buy the House and Home High and Firm Pillow and House & Home 250 thread count Cotton Rich Pillowcase
10. Front-opening shirt or pyjamas
Be ready for those lovely first moments of skin-to-skin bonding with your baby by bringing along a front-opening shirt like the &me Women’s Tailored Pyjama Set. A front-opening shirt will also provide easy access to breastfeeding.
Buy the &me Women’s Tailored Pyjama Set
11 & 12. Water bottle and straw
You need to keep your fluids up during labour. As you won’t always be in the best position to be tipping water into your mouth from a glass, pack a safe and sturdy water bottle like the MB Active by Michelle Bridges Foam Roller Drink Bottle and a straw like the Ms Fix-It Stainless Steel Bendy Straw that has a comfortable silicon flex tip.
Buy the MB Active by Michelle Bridges Foam Roller Drink Bottle and Ms Fix-It Stainless Steel Bendy Straw 4 Pack
13. Warm socks
While labour is hot work, your extremities can get very cold. Keep your feet snug with a pair of socks. Opt for a warm pair like the Bonds Explorer Impact Wool Blend Crew Socks that will keep your feet warm and comfy.
Buy Bonds Explorer Impact Wool Blend Crew Socks
And remember you’ll need your Medicare card, hospital card and birth plan, so it’s worth keeping these items in your handbag at all times.
This is a sponsored post by BIG W, where you can find everything you need for pregnancy, baby and beyond.
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