And so at 35 weeks it has begun, the packing of the bags!!
3 out of 4 of The Bags!!!
I have found that we are going to need more than I originally thought.
I have a toiletry bag, a baby bag, a labour bag and an after labour bag, which is more of a small case. Oh dear! But … I am convinced that I will need all the stuff and I want to be prepared for every eventuality after not being prepared at all the time before.
So what have I packed into my bags so far and what is still to come?
Toiletry Bag
Toiletries
Little Me Organics Bath Soak, Body and Hair Wash and Body Cream – I want to use products on my own skin that I would be happy to use on baby as she will be snuggled up to my skin lots and lots.
Medela Breast Care Set
Sudocrem
Charles Worthington Daily Defence Shampoo and Conditioner
Organic Babies Mum and Baby Rescue Balm (watch out for our review!)
Simple Radiance Face Wash and Simple Sun Kissed Moisturiser – I am guessing I will be thankful for a bit of radiant colour after a long labour!
Massage Oil
Maternity Pads
Breast Pads
Natural Mineral Deoderant
Tissues
Antibacterial hand gel
Hand cream – One thing that I learned with Esther and William is that with a new baby you wash your hands a lot and so hand gel and hand cream are new mummy essentials to keep germs at bay and to keep your hands as soft and gentle as is possible.
Labour Bag
Because I am hoping to have a water birth I have got a lovely floral tankini from Mothercare to wear in the pool. I have also ordered two new towels for the occasion in egyptian cotton.
For after the pool I have my Navy Melba Maternity nightdress that I bought whilst pregnant with the twins. It is very soft and comfortable and has easy access for skin to skin and breastfeeding.
I have also packed some disposable panties for immediately after the birth and maternity pads.
Mouth Care!
In one of the front pockets of my bag I have made a little mouth care compartment with sweets, toothbrush and toothpaste and I still need to add some lip balm. The sweets I have chosen so far are Orange Dextrose sweets for energy, Starburst, Wine GumS, Soft Mints and Werthers Originals. I will definitely need my toothbrush if I work my way through that lot!
Face Fresheners
In the second front pocket I have a fresh faced compartment with some Simple Radiance face wipes, soft face cloths, water spray and a small fan.
In the side pockets I have my Hydrant drinking bottle. This fabulous water bottle has a clip so that it can be attached to the birthing pool or the bed and then there is a long bendy straw so that you can drink in any position. I think that this is going to be invaluable to me throughout birth and labour and also when I am breastfeeding too. With Esther, William and Baby I am sure there are going to be plenty of times when I just do not have enough hands.
The Hydrant
The Hydrant is avaialble to buy from the NCT and has some fab reviews on their site.
To go with this bottle I have also packed some lemon and lime flavoured water and some sugar free vimto cordial. I am planning to use Entonox during labour and know that this leaves you with a very dry mouth. With any type of birth and labour, apart from a c-section, where you will be nil by mouth for some hours, it is important to keep hydrated.
High Fibre Snacks
I have packed some high fibre snacks for energy and to keep everything moving in early labour. I know that I will probably be at home but at least everything is safely in one place if they are in my bag. If I do not eat them during labour then I am certain I will be glad of them at the end. I remember being starving after Esther and William were born.
Hospital and NCT Notes
In the back outside pocket of the bag I have packed my hospital notes and I may also sneak a magazine into here nearer the time!
Other items in my hospital bag are three alice bands to keep my hair off of my face. I love my long, thick hair but when I am hot and wet I like myhair to be kept off my face and neck. With this in mind I need to pack some hair bobbles too. I will also take my hair brush for practical reasons but also because I love having my hair brushed and think that it is something when I am exhausted that I may find quite soothing.
Still to be put in my bag are:
Hair bobbles
My phone (charged)
My laptop (charged)
My camera (charged)
Warm socks
Flip flops or Crocs to use as slippers
Tissues
Pen/s
Notebook with notes of important names and numbers for after the birth or should anything change during the labour.
Baby Bag
I have decided to use my beautiful Pink Lining Twins Changing Bag as my baby bag. In here I have put
Baby Bits
12 Huggies newborn nappies
Cotton wool
Two beautiful floral bunnies – as gifts from Esther and William
A white sleepsuit with integral scratch mitts
A white vest
A white hat
A white cardigan
Two hooded white baby towels
A warm white blanket
Six large white muslins
Cotton Wool and Nappies
After Labour Bag
For Me
Navy Melba Maternity Pyjamas (review coming soon!)
Melba Maternity Heaven!
Comfortable knickers
Maternity Pads
My going home outfit – white nursing t-shirt, orange maxi skirt, white Carriwell nursing bra, white Birkenstock sandals
Breast pads
Mascara
Eyelash curlers
Bronzer and brush
For Baby
Going home outfit
3 sleepsuits
3 vests
An organic nightdress from Little Green Sheep (review to follow!)
Little Green Sheep
3 hats
Zebra comforter
Warm woollen blanket
More nappies!
More cotton wool!
More muslins!
A navy and white burp cloth from Jackomettii Spaghettii
Things That Do Not Fit Into Bags
Theraline Maternity Pillow
Birthing Ball
I am getting there but will add to this post if I think if anything else. Would love your feedback too x
The bottle looks brilliant, I took straws in my labour bag which I am so happy about. Didn’t pack mine until day before I had him so never got to pack and repack though. It sounds like you are well prepared!
you will get the energy tablet sweets from boots or a big supermarket, normally with the vitamins at the supermarket, or even the snacks section in boots. xx
Thank you, found some in Sainsburys today. Orange flavoured Dextrose?? I bought some rescue pastilles too!
Crumbs you have a lot! By the time I got to my 3rd labour I decided that I was fed up of having bags which had stuff in I never even used, so I decided last time to go for minimalism. Turns out I didn’t even need half of the one tiny bag, nearly gave birth in the top I went into hospital in, not due to fast labour but because no one even mentioned to me to get changed! I am very envious of your labour goodies! next time I shall pack something similar to stop hubby moaning he is hungry! 😉
I will let you know what I do end up using. I am loving the packing though sure I should be doing more useful things for Baby coming x
Hi Jennie,
It’s great you are preparing from now, however, I think this is way too much. You don’t know what type of delivery you may have. If you have to stay a few days then hubby can bring things
to you. If you don’t then hubby can take things home.
I seen couples bring a carry case as though they are going on a months holiday.
Bring night clothes, toiletries, slippers, sanitary pads, socks, breast pads for you.
Bring baby grows (all in one) 5-10 as baby’s poo often.
A pack of nappies
Vests same amount as baby grows.
Socks/mittens/hat – for keeping baby warm
Cotton PADS not balls. Make up pads are brilliant, they don’t shrink in water like the cotton balls.
DEFINITELY straws for drinking.
DEFINITELY a head band (that runners wear) for keeping hair
back in labour.
Hope this helps
Thank you so much for reply. I admit it is a lot of stuff. I think the after labour stuff will stay in the car until we are sure we need it. Thank you x It is so easy to get carried away isn’t it? And I am hoping to be allowed home the same day!! But as I know from my own and others’ experiences that is sadly not always the way x
Wowzers – that’s a lot of stuff! Impressed with the special giving birth swim suit – I did it all in the nude ;-). If there’s anything I’d change on there is that I’d make sure you keep the lovely new towels until after clear up time. My towel ended up in the incinerator it was so wrecked!
Thank you for the towel tip. I hadn’t thought anout the mess x
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