Jake was born 4.5 years ago, and I have completely forgotten what I packed in my hospital bag last time or even if I really had one that was well thought out?

I ended up having to stay in hospital for four days with my first, so now that I am weeks away from giving birth to our baby girl, this time I am much more prepared.

I have packed a day bag to take with me for labour and birth, with all fingers crossed I am out of the hospital on the same day.

Just incase, I also have a second bag packed at home for if I need to stay in the hospital overnight, which my husband can bring back.

After so much research and reminiscing on my last experience, I have packed all the essentials months in advance #talkaboutorganised:

Labour Bag

This is what my Doula will be responsible for, to set up the room and ensure I have everything I need as I labour and birth our little girl.

Includes:

• My birth plan and notes

• Diffuser

• Salt Lamp

• Snacks and drinks for during labour (watermelon, alkaline mineral water, coconut water, nuts and protein balls)

• Water bottle

• Lip Balm

• Snacks for hubby & Jake

• Laptop + charger for background music

• Iphone for my playlist and hypno-birthing affirmations

• Phone charger + Earphones

• Coconut Oil (for massage during labour)

• 3 x Birthing Sprays (for pre-labour, transition and pushing)

• Essential Oils: Clary Sage, Peppermint, Frankincense, Roman Chamomile, Lavender

Hospital Day Bag

This bag is for after the birth and is seperate from my labour + birth bag:

• My lightweight summer robe

• Socks

• Underwear

• Toiletries Bag (incl. unscented soap as baby needs to smell me not a strong body wash scent)

• Outfit for trip home

• Glasses

• Wallet with ID, Medicare card & private health insurance card

• Baby Clothes: 2 x singlet, 1 x socks, 1 x beanie, 2 x sleepsuits, 2 x bodysuit

• Newborn nappies x 5

• Present from Jake to his little sister. He got her a snuggy like his. I HIGHLY recommend, Jake is obsessed with his: Kippins

• Present for Jake from his little sister. She got him a new book about being a Big Brother

In My Toiletries Bag:

• Hairbrush, soap, shampoo, conditioner, moisturiser, deodorant, toothbrush and toothpaste.

• Refreshing face spray

• Maternity sanitary pads

• Absorbent breast pads.

• Adult nappy undies

• Water Wipes (for using the toilet after birth. Far more comfortable than toilet paper!)

Short-Stay Hospital Bag

If I do end up staying for a few nights, I have this bag at home ready to go:

• Breastfeeding pillow (I use the Bellybean – it’s so good! )

• Journal & pen

• Plastic bags for dirty clothes

• Nursing tops and dresses – not bras (I’m all for comfort)

• More Baby Clothes: 4 x singlet, 2 x socks, 4 x sleepsuits, 4 x bodysuit

• More Newborn Nappies

• 2 x Muslin Wraps

• Underwear x 5

• Slippers

• Warm socks & sockets

• Pyjamas

• Lactation Cookies (I’ve packed these: Franjo’s Kitchen – they are so good even my hubby devoured them!)

• Eye mask

• More healthy snacks (raw nuts, protein balls, bananas, apples, dates)

• Beats loud speaker for playlist

• Supplements (prenatal vitamin, omega’s, zinc, iron and pro-biotics)

• Meals List (this is for hubby to bring me healthy food if I need to stay in the hospital)

My Meals List

• Sushi (always my first meal after birth. After all it’s been 9 months!)

• Daily Bone Broth

• Nutri-bullet for my morning smoothies (+ collagen, mushrooms, protein powder, greens powder, bananas and coconut milk)

• Lunch & Dinner delivery daily (certainly NOT eating any hospital food)

This is far more prepared than I was last time.

I have also set things in place for when I return home to ease the pressure of the newborn phase.

You can read about this here, How I Have Prepared My Home And Business For The Crazy Newborn Phase

With love,

Debbie x