Is your flight bag ready yet?

Is your hospital bag ready yet?

Have you already decided whether you want to give birth at home or in the hospital? Either way, it's a good idea to have the bag ready from week 37. You never know how birth will go, but it's always handy to have everything ready! You can find a handy checklist for you, your baby and your partner here.

Giving birth at home? Still, get your hospital bag ready!

Are you planning to give birth at home? Even then, it's a good idea to pack your hospital bag in advance. Sometimes birth goes differently than you expected and you may still have to go to the hospital (for a while). It's always nice to have the hospital bag ready for you and the baby. Your partner should also pack some things for themselves, after all, they will also spend quite a few hours in the hospital. Or maybe you'll stay overnight together.

Checklist for mum

• Phone and charger, for your partner too
• Camera
• Wallet with debit card, ID, and health insurance card.
• Printed birth plan
• Toiletry bag with toothbrush/toothpaste, deodorant, lip balm, nasal spray and, if necessary, medication and glasses/contact lenses
• Labour shirt, dress or top. Loose clothing is best, which can also be easily taken off or cut up.
• Thick socks: yes, even in summer! Women often get cold feet during labour and then you can't relax properly.
• Sweater or cardigan, see above. You don't want to get cold!
• Maternity bra or nursing bra if you want to breastfeed.
• Panties (large granny panties are most comfortable after birth, borrowing your partner's boxers also works well here).
• Slippers or flip-flops.

Also keep in mind:

• Breastfeeding pads
• Easy snacks and drinks, I personally found a water bottle really handy!
• Glucose tablets for extra energy.
• Magazines or a book, I didn't have the peace of mind for that myself, but sometimes it can take a long time... 
• Headphones or a small speaker to listen to music or relaxing audio.

For the baby

• Two hats.
• Two bodysuits, 1x size 50 and 1x size 56
• Two shirts.
• Two pairs of trousers.
• Two pairs of socks.
• Jacket.
• Newborn nappies.
• Swaddle cloth or blanket.
• Bottles if you choose bottle-feeding

For your partner

Birth is also an intense event for your partner. So get a few things ready for him/her too. It's best to assume that you will have to stay overnight. Extra tip, swimming trunks if you want to give birth in the bath. Must-have: coins for the wheelchair!

I hope this helps, and above all, have a lot of fun with giving birth! 

Love, Maaike