Mama You've Got This...

178-179 / 258

While this isn’t the time to pack like you’re going on a weeklong
holiday to the Caribbean, you should spend some time figuring
out what you’re going to bring with you for your hospital stay.
What you don’t want to do is save this for the moment you go into
labour, which could translate into a bag of whatever was easiest
to grab on the way out the door. If you have your labour bag
ready to go by the time you hit the eight month mark, you should
be good to go.
The typical hospital stay for a regular vaginal birth is two nights,
while a cesarean section could mean as many as four. Since you
never really know how long you’re going to be in the hospital for, it’s
best to pack an extra day’s worth of stuff. Every mama is going to
have different must-haves they want with them at the hospital but
here are some of the essentials that should be in your labour bag:
• Dressing gown: You can throw your dressing gown on over
whatever ensemble you’re wearing, or over your birthday suit.
Those hospital gowns leave a lot to be desired in the style
department, plus any movement and your boobs and bum are
on display for the whole maternity ward to see.
• Nursing tank tops: I would add in nursing bras too, but the idea
of putting on a bra whilst I was in the hospital makes me laugh.
You will want an easy way to get your boobs out of your top
though. Newborn babies can be hungry little things and you
probably won’t want to walk around topless; you never know
when your brother-in-law might pop in for a visit.
What do I really need in my labour bag?
• Nipple balm: Your boobs will do great things over the coming
months. Show some love to them and treat your nipples to
some TLC. Dry, cracked nipples are just a fact of life when you’re
breastfeeding. By taking care of them from the beginning, you’ll
be setting the stage for breastfeeding success.
provides relief and protection with
ultra-soothing medical-grade lanolin, organic coconut and
olive oil as well as organic shea butter. The ingredients are safe
for baby, so no need to wash off prior to breastfeeding. It’s a
multitasking mama must-have. You can use it on cuticles, lips
and elbows too.
• Comfy undies: The roomier and softer the better. This is the time
to invest in some granny pants as you’ll need underwear that’s
big enough to hold sanitary pads. There will be blood. Possibly
a lot of it. Leave your thongs at home for another time, in the
way distant future.
• Slippers: The hospital floor is not your friend. Protect your feet
from the cold and germ-infested linoleum. Also, slippers will
become an essential part of your postpartum uniform. Trust me
on this.
• A journal or notebook: This is not for writing down all your
overwhelming emotions, although if you want to do so, by all
means write your little heart out. The notebook is actually for a
more practical purpose, keeping track of your baby’s feeding
schedule and all of their poos and pees.
LIFESTYLE 179