Being pregnant and becoming a new Mum is surely the most exciting, and daunting, experience a woman can have. There’s so much to know and the advice and resources for new mums is endless. It can be quite overwhelming at times. One thing is for sure, you’re about to participate in the miracle of bringing new life into the world. So, no pressure!
Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to make the event less stressful. Apart from the obvious like preparing a nursery space, organising support and thinking about a birthing plan, it’s a great idea to get your hospital bag, or bags, organised. For new mums, think about packing your bags at around the third trimester. I promise it will give you comfort to know you’re ready to race out of the door!
We know new Mums have unique needs so here’s a list of things that can be altered to suit you, your new baby and your birthing partner.
At this stage you won’t know how long you’ll be in hospital. It could be between 1 and 5 nights. Therefore, it’s best to pack for the 5 nights to be sure. My recommendation is to have 3 smaller bags and an empty one for laundry. These are one for labour, one for baby and one for everything you’ll need for your stay.
Now’s the time to check with the hospital what paperwork you’ll need when you’re admitted. Obviously, the more you can do beforehand the better. You may need to provide:
FOR MUM…
FOR NEWBORN BABY…
AND FOR BIRTHING PARTNER…
We wish all you New Mums a magical experience, all the best. Verena, Elves in the Wardrobe.