At 36 weeks pregnant, I finally have my birth bag ready for labour and delivery, and so I wanted to show you what I’ve packed!
It’s important to note that this time around, we are planning a Home Birth under NHS care, however, I believe it’s a good idea to have everything I plan to use in labour and immediately afterwards packed together to make things easier in the moment.
Plus if I need to transfer to the birth centre or hospital for any reason, it will be easy for us to grab everything and go. I also have a secondary bag packed in case of a one night hospital stay.
So without further ado, here is what is in my birth bag/s as a second time mum:
Birth Bag for labour:
Maternity Notes and Birth Preferences
Labour Outfit
TENS Machine for pain relief
Wooden combs for pain relief
Lavender essential oil for aromatherapy (Both in roller ball style and pure oil to put in a oil burner or diffuser if I do indeed get to labour and birth at home)
Flannels
Water bottle with straw
High energy snacks and drinks
Phone, phone charger and headphones (I will be using the Freya App for Hypnobirthing)
Camera and charger
Lip Balm
Dressing gown/robe
Fluffy socks as feet may get cold in labour
First outfit, nappy and hat for baby – all put together in a ziplock bag to make it easy for birth partner to find
Post-birth outfit for me including nursing nightgown, nursing bra, disposable maternity pants and pad – put together in a ziplock bag, again for ease of access
Muslin and Blanket for baby
Baby wipes
Secondary Birth Bag (For if we are transferred to hospital)
Minimal toiletries bag
3 extra outfits for baby
‘Going home’ outfit for me
More nappies and nappy cream
More disposable postpartum pants and pads
Frida Mom cooling pads
Nipple pads and nipple cream for breastfeeding
*If I manage to express colostrum to freeze prior to birth I will bring these to hospital with me too