Your essential labour checklist

• A copy of your birth plan - give this to the midwife as soon as you arrive
• TENS machine - if using
• Massage oil - for soothing your backache
• Slippers -hospital floors can be cold when you're pacing up and down. Flipflops can be useful to wear in the shower.
  
• Warm socks - to wear if your feet get chilly
• Music - check your labour ward allows this and bring your favourite tracks
• Drinks - bottled water and juice are best. You may find it easier to sip from a straw
• Snacks - have light, energy-boosting nibbles like bananas and chocolate on hand
• An old large T-shirt, shirt or nightdress to give birth in - a front-buttoning one will enable you to breastfeed and have skin-to-skin contact more easily after the birth
• Toiletries - cleansing wipes or flannel, water spray mist, toothbrush, toothpaste and some waterproof mascara to avoid panda eyes in the post-birth pictures!
• Books and games - to keep you and your birth partner entertained
• A watch - to time contractions

More essential packing checklists just for you:

Your essential hospital stay checklist
Your essential checklist for your baby
Your essential partner’s checklist

Start a discussion :: Print this article ::