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Packing a hospital bag

Birthing unit birth

 

If you are planning a birthing unit birth we recommend bringing a few things to make for a comfortable stay. For mum some suggestions are:

 

  • Loose fitting clothing for labour and breastfeeding

  • Socks and slippers

  • Hard boiled sweets

  • A Sports drink or water bottle

  • IPod or MP3 player with music

  • Your own pillow

  • Toiletries and perhaps a hairdryer

  • Maternity pads

  • Cotton underwear

  • Nursing bra

  • Nipple cream

  • Ear plugs

  • Mobile phone and charger

  • Money for in-room TV (Wellington charges $7 daily. No charge at Kenepuru or Hutt.)

  • Camera

If you are booked for an induction of labour you may consider bringing a laptop or portable dvd player, book or crossword puzzles as you may have a long wait.

 

For baby some suggestions are:

  • 2-3 singlets (1 woolen and 1-2 cotton)

  • 2-3 full outfits

  • Cotton hat

  • Wool or cotton booties

  • 1 x knitted cardigan or a matinee jacket

  • 8-10 Nappies and wipes

  • Natural barrier balm (useful for meconium removal)

  • Newborn carseat capsule

  • The hospital will supply all linen but you are welcome to bring any favourite wraps and blankets. We recommend cotton such as muslin for wraps rather than fleece

 

For home birth

Not a lot is needed to birth a baby except for surroundings that will support you. Think of things that will bring you comfort. In addition to the suggestions above it is useful to have some plastic waterproof sheets for the ground, and a few warm towels handy for the baby. You can consider hiring a birthing pool or using your own bath and shower. Some people buy a swiss ball to help them into comfortable positions in labour. A TENS machine is also useful to disrupt the feeling of the contractions and you can loan one out from me.

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No matter where you are birthing or what you are planning, a positive frame of mind will really help with your experience.

Bonding begins before birth. At 25 weeks along unborn babies can hear and respond to noises from outside the womb. From 28 weeks babies can already recognise their mother's voice. This familiarity is soothing to them once born.

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