- A maternity bag is a suitcase or bag packed with all the essentials that a mother-to-be and new mother will need during her hospital stay. A prepacked maternity bag ensures that you'll have everything you need during and after labor and delivery no matter how rushed you are when the big day finally comes. You won't have to worry about forgetting anything important in a last-minute rush to get to the hospital on time for the birth. When you go into labor, all you have to do is grab your maternity bag and go.
- Most midwives and Lamaze coaches suggest that you have your maternity bag packed and ready to go when you reach 32 weeks gestation--about 2 months before your due date. That means that you'll be ready to go at a moment's notice if your baby decides to put in an early appearance.
- The size of your maternity bag depends upon your preferences and what you intend to pack into it. In general, an overnight or travel size bag should be the right size for most of your needs. Many maternity and infant shops now offer stylish bags that do double duty as a maternity bag for your hospital trip and diaper bag after delivery. Their usual range of sizes is about the size of a carry-on luggage bag.
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When packing your maternity bag, consider the things that you'll need both during labor and after your baby arrives. You'll find many handy checklists of things to pack in your bag online, or you can ask your birthing teacher or midwife for recommendations. You should also check with the hospital or birth center to see if there are any items that they don't allow you to bring with you in your hospital bag. In general, most midwives recommends that you pack for your labor, your labor coach, yourself after the delivery and your new baby.
Some things you might include to help you get through labor include a dressing gown, comfortable T-shirt or nightshirt, slippers and warm socks to help you feel more comfortable physically. Also pack other comfort items like massage oil, lip balm, your favorite music tapes and relaxation reading materials. If you want pictures, bring along a camcorder or digital camera, but check with the hospital first to be sure they'll allow the camera in labor and delivery. Don't forget to pack a tube of coins and dollar bills for the snack machines, or some light snacks to keep your energy up during labor. Those snacks will also come in handy for your labor partner or coach. Add a change of clothing for him, too.
For after the birth, pack comfortable lounging clothes and sleep clothes, as well as a going-home outfit for yourself and one for your baby. A nursing bra and breast pads will help you deal with the inevitable changes to your body after birth, and shirts that button up the front will make breastfeeding much easier. - Pack two separate maternity bags--one to take with you when you go to the hospital and one to be brought to you when you're ready to leave the hospital with the baby. In the first suitcase, pack all the things that you'll need to get through labor, then add a deck of cards or a time-wasting Gameboy or DS Lite game. You may not ever use them, but it's not unusual to find yourself with hours to kill while you wait for labor to really and truly set in. In the second bag, pack a comfortable, loose outfit for yourself and the outfit you've chosen for baby's homecoming. Park that bag beside the car seat so that neither will be forgotten when you get picked up from the hospital.
