We will actually be taking three bags to hospital. A beautiful Pink Lining Twins bag for Mummy, a cute animal bag from Vertbaudet for Matilda Bump and a backpack from BabyMule for Daddy.

Today I am focusing on what should be in the bag for Mummy. Please please read and leave a comment if you think that I have missed any essential items out.

Over the coming days I will be reviewing some of the items listed and I have typed these in italics so that if you are interested in learning more about the products then you can pop back to Edspire and read the review. Many of these items also have a link if you cannot wait for the review.

Hospital Bag for Mummy (in no particular order)

Marks and Spencer 100% cotton granny knicker.
These were recommended to me by expert midwife Nikki Khan during our recent antenatal retreat. They are comfortable and easy to wear and will not rub on your scar if you end up needing to have a c-section.
They may not be pretty but they are practical and that is what will be most important to you in the hours and days after birth when you will be uncomfortable and losing blood.

Dextrose tablets
These will give you energy without filling up your stomach. At our NCT classes we were shown pictures of the baby travelling through the birth canal and there is no room for waste food as baby makes their way out so best to have emptied bowels and not fill your stmach back up again. With energy sweets you get the ooomph you need without filling your stomach.

Squash
Labour is thirsty work and all you will have in hospital is water so if like me you do not like to drink water on its own take some squash with you to flavour the water or indeed take some bottle of flavoured water. Take something nice to drink after the birth. When I had Esther and William I almost straight away wanted a can of coke, a bacon sandwich and a Twix as a reward for my efforts! With that in mind …

Food
Chocolate bars, cereal bars, cans of drink even sandwiches. While you may not feel like eating during labour you may well find yourself ot be starving after the birth.

List of telephone numbers
For people you want to call once the baby is born.

A baggy old t-shirt
This again is advice from Nikki Khan. When giving birth it is nice to be wearing something familiar, with a scent that you know. When we discussed this at the antenatal retreat it made perfect sense to me. I am hoping to labour in a birthing pool but if I get out for delivery I want to be wearing a t-shirt of David’s. I just know that having something of him on me will help me. If I decide to stay in the pool I actually think I would like a t-shirt of his to hold on too at the edge of the pool. I really understand this as being something that would soothe and comfort me. I love the way my husband smells. It makes me feel safe. He makes me feel safe.

Face Spray
Labour can be hot and sweaty work. You may feel like you need to freshen up your face along the way.

Lip Salve / Lip Balm
This is especially important if you plan to use gas and air as it really dries your mouth and your lips.

A cup or bottle with a long bendy straw
This is vital if you want an active birth as it will enable you to drink in any position. Some bottles available such as The Hydrant will also enable you to drink hands free.

Enter, The Hydrant: the 1 litre water bottle with the unique straw and bite valve that is set to become an indispensable part of every hospital-bag in the UK. The Hydrant bottle can be hung from the bed or chair and the user simply takes hold of the extra long, flexible straw attached (which can be clipped to your top), inserts the bite valve between their lips, bites and sucks. The bite valve opens under pressure and closes when released so there are no leaks and it works from any angle, even if mum-to-be is lying down – no more painful stretching!

I will be writing a full review of this item here on the blog very soon.

Essential Oils
This is something that I am not sure will be in my personal bag as I do not know much about burning oils particularly in relation to birth but it is recommended for some people who might find it soothing and helpful.

Distractions
Early labour can last a long time though you will be probably be at home for most of this. However, it may be that you do have some time where you feel the need to be distracted perhaps by Twitter on your phone, a game of scrabble with your partner or flicking through a magazine. I am hoping that I will have time to play Bananagrams during my labour!

CD Player and music that relaxes you
I love music but I cannot imagine listening to music whilst going through labour but I am sure that it works for some people. Like yoga, it is just not for me.

Maternity pads
You can bleed heavily after the birth so you will need proper maternity pants to soak up the blood and protect those glamourous granny knickers!

Nursing bras including a sleep bra
I will be taking a black and a white Bravado nursing bra with me and a black and a white Carriwell sleep nursing bra. These are the most comfortable styles that I have found on the market so far.

Breast pads
I will be packing Medela super absorbent breast pads as part of their Breast Care Set. A fabulous kit for any Mummy who wants to breastfeed.

Fully charged phone

Camera

Hair bands
Especially if like me you have very long and thick hair. I know that I will want my hair to be out of the way is I am hot and sweaty or in some water. I will be packing hair bobbles and an alice band too!

Night dress, pyjamas and dressing gown
These are clothes that are comfortable for you to wear before and after the birth when you might want to be mobile and mving around the ward or even the hospital. When we visited Esther and William every day in NICU we would always see labouring women wandering the corridors!
I am a very lucky lady and have a selection of lounge wear from Melba Maternity to review including a night dress which I bought when I was pregnant with the twins, some beautiful pyjamas and a cami and roll top trousers. Watch this space for that review!

Little fan
A hand held fan to create a breeze for your face or back of your neck or wherever you might feel hot.

Warm socks
I have no memory of this from before but apparently it is very common for your feet to feel cold in labour so best to pack yourself some pretty, warm socks.

Slippers, Crocs or Flip Flops
To protect your feet and to stop you slipping on the hospital floors.

Toiletries
I read somewhere about taking dry shampoo to hospital with you so that you can look presentable for photographs after the birth. I am not sure that this will be a priority of mine but each to their own. I will take with me a range of gentle organic baby toiletries, to use on me, as I do not want to use anything on myself at this early stage that is not baby friendly. And there is something comforting about washing in good quality, organic baby products. I have done it throughout my pregnancy too.

Toothbrush and Toothpaste
An obvious essential.

Clothes to wear home
I have chosen my outfits already, apart from shoes actually, I need some shoes!
I plan to wear a gorgeous orange dress to the hospital and this then converts into a skirt that I will wear to go home in with a white nursing t-shirt. I have blogged about my choices here. Choose an outfit that is loose and comfortable, and if you need to keep warm with layers.

Things To Take That Won’t Fit In Your Bag

Birthing Ball

Feeding Pillow
I will be taking my trusty Theraline with me!

Extra Pillows for You
One good piece of advice I have heard, though I don’t remember where now, is to take patterned or dark coloured pillows so that you do not leave them at the hospital and so that they do not get taken away with the hospital laundry. Top tip!

I think that is it. Tomorrow I will be posting about what to pack into the baby bag and sharing photos with you as I pack mine for Matilda Bump.

Tomorrow will also see the launch of my Rosebud London Bag competition, so do come back for that.

And in the meantime, if you can think of anything else that should be in my hospital bag then please do leave a comment.

Thank you.

6 weeks to go!