May seem like a weird question because there are a few threads asking the same thing - but I'll be going to a birth centre (which I'm not sure what to take) and if I end up being transferred, then I'll be having a c-section at the public hospital (and then transferred to private hossy afterwards)
So I've never been told what you need for a birth centre birth - all I know is what Selangor would let you have for a birth there - and my midwives are away at the moment and I won't be seeing them until sometime later this week. DH wants me to get things organised and pack the bags now - just in case
Not to mention that I also have to pack a bag for the kids just in case they need to go somewhere else (dunno where! I'm sure someone would pick them up from the side of the road.. haha) and also some stuff for the newborn.
I am sort of in the same boat- going to a birth centre but need to be prepared for the hospital too JIC. So I have packed according to three lists but they all fit in the one bag. Anything not used will just be unpacked when I get home but I think I have all covered. I had it done in a Word table and just have in bold what still needs to go in once contractions start and the list is on the fridge and my bag packed. The m/w at the BC told me the other day I need a clothes for me and bub to go home in (obvious I thought!), wipes for the baby and soap for myself!
Anyway my list: Labour
• birth plan
• birthing notes
• lip balm
• pjs
• headband
• essential oils
• massage oils
• stress balls
• snacks- jelly beans etc
• toiletries
• face washer
• camera and batteries
• socks
• waterbottle
• juice
Hospital/BC post birth
• mobile phone
• phone charger
• pjs
• day clothes
• slippers
• toiletries (lansinoh, toothbrush, paste, moisturiser, deodorant, body wash etc)
• makeup
• facewasher
• maternity pads
• breastpads
• notepad and pen
• wetwipes
• knickers
• tissues
• maternity bras
• socks
• hairclips
• money
• watch
• reading material
• bag for laundry items
• snacks (muesli bars etc)
• drinks
You might want to add panadol? I took some for afterpains but didn't end up using it...
I took CDs too for labour but didn't use them either
And I chucked in 3 or 4 plastic bags, just in case I needed them for anything, & they all got used
The best thing I did when packing was, for the toiletries etc I bought a mini-toothpaste, an extra moisturiser, deoderant etc & had it all packed, so I could keep using my regular stuff. I hated the idea of being in labour & trying to remember all those bits & pieces. And it's stuff that will get used, so it's not like it's going to go to waste. kwim?
Mel would you be packing for your kids incase they end up in there with you? Or are they definitely going elsewhere? I am thinking do you need to pack books etc for them, you know? Snacks & water? Or just clothes for a stay elsewhere?
Mel - pack an overnight bag for each of the kids with Pj's a change of clothes etc just like they would use if they were having a slumber party at a friends house.
The only other thing I would suggest (as suggested to me once) is to pack babies firsts with your labour stuff - so a catching blanket, wrap, onesie or whatever you want bub in first so if they have a dryer or warmer they can put them in there so when bub does arrive there is a nice warm change of clothes AND you don't have to rummage around in bags to find something.
I am not sure about Birth Centres and what they have or what hteir policies are but if you are allowed to burn oils maybe take your own electric oil burner JIC theirs doesn't work??
OHHHH AND a change of clothes for DH, plus some shorts etc in case he needs to get wet (shower/bath).
think its mostly been covered. I took a banana and a yoghurt. not that you really feel like eating but if your there for hours or for after, it was a good idea. Food for DH!!
Drinks.
Pillows. i have a V pillow i used all the time through pregnancy and it was good during labour....also a bit of a comfort.
Different clothes to wear buring labour....chances are youl end up starkers but i didnt know what i wanted during, changed from loose top to tight one to nothing lol.
A shower cap.....sounds stupid, not that i cared what my hair looked like after id been in the shower during contractions but i guess it was one less think to worry about. and more comfortable not having wet hair/clothes.
Something for DH to wear in the shower.
Dh had to keep going out and getting more maternity pads! the hospital ones were crap and boy did i need them!!
other people have already said oils,music.
Think i had my bag packed about a month before too!! its reasuring though.
Thanks everyone - I'll have to start getting a suitcase ready I think.. bwahahah!!!
Jasp - I have really no idea what will happen to the kids. If I go into labour at night, I have had an offer from a lovely BB girl (thanks Sterla) to come and watch them for me, but not sure how keen she will be on the idea if its 3am.. lol
So we'll just play it by ear, and if worst comes to worst, I'll have to stay at home as long as I can because the midwives come to me first anyway, and we might end up having to take them to the birth centre with us. I dunno - we don't have anything set in concrete just yet.
I know I'm proberbly packing WAAAY too early and WAAY too much but I've always been one to play it safe and be prepared KWIM? So I've just started getting everything together.
I remember reading in one of the threads somewhere here saying that some places make you take your own dirty nappies with you and disposing them yourself, So apart from the things already mentioned, I'm also taking a pack of the smelly nappy bags for the dirty nappies to go in. (Even if my hossi doesn't do this, I can still use them)
I got given a free Avent NB Dummy in a sample bag they gave me when I went for my U/S so I'm taking that so It doesn't matter if I loose it.
I've also got a cheap $50 pre-paid mobile phone (with an extra credit voucher)packed, with everyones numbers stored in there to send a text after the birth. Then I don't have to stress if It gets 'lost', & Im doing the same with a cheap didgi camera to use during my stay if I have to be there a few days. (use good one during labour ofcause but it goes home with DH after the birth JIC)
My list from the hossi also suggests if we want to take a hair dryer (or other electrical equipment) to have them taged by an electrician check or we can't use them, so I thought I'd do that too, or if you want to take your own oil burner, get it tagged JIC.
Also, after my 1st birth experience, I'm going to make sure I pack Hemerriod cream (sorri TMI) I just need to check if it's safe to use afterwards.
Someone also suggested to pack ur own 'soft' toilet paper, last thing I want to use after giving birth is some of that cheap, thin, scratchy public toilet stuff! and some of those flushable adult wet-wipes/refresheners.
and a couple of cotten nappies to use as spew rags (for the baby of cause!)
Oh and as Jasp mentioned, I'm also using all those cute little mini's for my toiletries, from a palmers cocoa butter shampoo/conditioner/lipbalm/moisteriser/bodywash pack to toothpaste/brush/floss/mouthwash pack to deoderant, palmers nipple cream and a GAIA pack for bub : body wash, shampoo, moisteriser, soothing lotion & massage oil.
And I'm taking this teddy bear DH bought that makes the sound bub would be hearing on the inside just for comfort I guess??
I know it seams like alot to pack but once I'm looking at it all together, it really isn't that much (minnies big help). and personally I'd rather have to take stuff home with me then have to wait for DH to bring stuff up for me.
I'm anotherone not leaving home without a drinks & snacks bag! Didn't get to eat all day (since 5pm the day b4) then at 9:30pm they handed me a cold hard bit of stale toast! Geeze, i would have thought I'd atleast get 2!
You should be able to get a list from the Birth centre, public and private hossy so you know what they reccomend too!
I am the opposite to most, I guess, I hate taking all this crap and having to unpack it at home!!
I take toiletries, clothes, pj's, phone, pads.
I use the hossy gowns for labour. I wash bub in olive oil, that the hossy use. I use hossy baby gowns till home day, cause they end up with the tar poo all over the clothes. I use the hossy cloth nappies with a snappy while there.
I come home with just dirty clothes and my toiletries.
breast pads,a dummy for bub,thongs for the shower,my music,
change for phone,spare hair bands,my pillow,hair straighner lol,camera,pair of socks i get cold feet,
my rubber ducky for the bath
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What should I pack in my bag?
So apart from the things already mentioned, I'm also taking a pack of the smelly nappy bags for the dirty nappies to go in. (Even if my hossi doesn't do this, I can still use them)
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