At 37+3 it is time to get the man of the house prepared for the arrival of his daughter and that means packing a bag!

Today I was given the go ahead by my midwife to have the water birth that I have longed for, so the first thing going into Daddy’s bag is some shorts and a t-shirt. Not because I think that he will come into the pool with me but because we know that the room will be warm and he will feel more comfortable in relaxed clothes. With this alternative change of clothes it also doesn’t matter too much if he gets wet holding me or the baby as we work together through labour and birth.

Another essential item for us is a shirt to wear after the birth so that he is able to have skin to skin contact with the Baby at times when I cannot. Having done extensive kangaroo care with Esther and William during their time in NICU we know how beneficial this early, intense contact can be.

But what else does Daddy need? What other items will be contained within our incredibly stylish and practical bag? Thank you Baby Mule!

Baby Mule

‘On Labour Ward’ sign to display in car window if no time to buy a ticket or if you have to leave car somewhere not permitted

Plenty of loose change for parking, pay phones and vending machines

Other money as the hospital shop and cafe do not take cards and the only cash machine in our hospital charges for withdrawals!

A charged laptop with music on it
I am not sure that David and I will want music playing during labour and birth. We have talked about it. But we also know that we do not want our baby to be born to the tunes from our local radio station so we are going to choose some tracks from our wedding playlist to see us through, just in case. Matilda Bump may well be born to The Killers, U2 or The White Stripes. Watch this space!

A copy of your birth plan
Make sure this is a shared document and that you both know what is meant by what you have written. I want David to know that I trust him and any decision he has to make for us or our baby should it come to it.

A charged phone with numbers for people to contact after the birth
David and I are hoping that our hospital stay will not be very long so much of our calling may be done when we get there but then I think that once we are home our attentions will need to be firmly focused on Esther and William so perhaps that initial call or text will be made from the hospital with the all important names, times, date and weight!

A list of the most important numbers we might need … just incase we have no phone charge or signal!

A charged camera for stills and video
The camera will probably be in my bag to be honest as I am the picture taker in our family. However I am going to stow away a second camera in David’s bag, one that is good for video as well as stills. We do not have many photos of Esther and William from the day that they were born. I am looking forward to the normality of those after birth shots with our new baby girl.

Toothbrush and toothpaste

Wash Kit and Deoderant

Change of clothes
I think that if David can shower and change at the hospital if needed then he should, again so that it is something he does not need to do when we get home, meaning that Esther and William can have more of our time.

Headache tablets

Drinks and snacks

A book
You never know how long labour will take or how sociable I will feel! Daddy may need a distraction or some time out.

A pillow
To help Daddy get comfortable if we end up in the unit longer than we are anticipating.

I think the key to packing this bag is to be prepared for the unknown. Hence the music, just incase we do end up needing a section. It is best to be prepared for any eventuality. I know that I will want David by my side throughout the whole labour and birth so I want him to have with him everything he needs to make that wish a reality.

I think this list should see him through. Do you?