This is dependent on your expected length of stay. Please be aware that bed space is limited and you can arrange to have additional items brought in by a family member or friend if required.
For yourself, you’ll probably want to pack:
- Your birth preferences
- Comfortable nightshirts to wear during labour, that don’t restrict your movement; ideally front-opening or loose-fitting nighties or tops for skin-to skin contact with your baby or if you're planning to breastfeed, also clothes for your postnatal stay
- Comfortable and supportive bras, including nursing bras if you're planning to breastfeed
- Breast pads
- Super absorbent sanitary or maternity pads
- Pairs of knickers or pack of disposable ones
- Your washbag with a toothbrush, hairbrush, flannel, soap, deodorant, hair ties and other toiletries
- Towels
- Things to help you relax for example: a book; a magazine; a device to listen to music, podcasts or your hypnotherapy affirmations; and headphones (noise cancelling if you have them)
- A fan or water spray to cool you down
- Dressing gown and slippers
- Healthy snacks and drinks
- An extra pillow
- A TENS machine if you intend to use one
- Any medicines you're taking - please inform your midwife of any medication you have
- Expressed breast milk which can be stored in our freezer on Swan Ward
- Phone, phone charger and device for taking photographs, if you have them
For your baby, you might want to pack:
- Bodysuits, vests and sleepsuits
- An outfit for going home in
- Hats, scratch mittens, socks or booties
- Muslin squares or bibs
- Nappies
- A shawl or blanket
- Car seat (this can be brought in when you are ready to leave)
We suggest that birth partners wear comfortable clothes and may want to bring:
- A small washbag containing their essentials
- Food and drinks
- Small change/bank card
- A book, phone or iPad for distraction and relaxation
A birth partner (or birth supporter) is someone you choose to have with you during your labour in addition to the health professionals caring for you. A birth partner is often someone who you’re close to such as a partner, trusted friend or relative, that can offer support during your birth experience. Some people choose to hire a professional birth partner such as a doula who can give emotional and practical support before, during and after childbirth.
You can decide not to have a birth partner, or you can have more than one. Talk to your midwife about who you would like to support you. If your birth partner has any medical conditions, it is important that you let us know.
The role a birth partner varies from person to person. For some, the emphasis will be on providing emotional support in the form of calming words, breathing techniques and encouragement. For others, a birth partner is there to ensure their preferences are communicated and acknowledged.
Talk to your birth partner about the type of birth you’d like and the things you’d prefer not to do, so they can help support your decisions in labour. It can help to go through your birth preferences together in advance.
There’s no way of knowing what your labour is going to be like or how each of you will cope but there are many ways a birth partner can help. Above all, the most important thing a birth partner can do is just be there for you.
For further practical tips about how your birth partner can support, visit the following website: NHS Tips for Birth Partners
The early stage of labour, also known as the latent phase of labour, can last anything from a few hours to a few days. In the week building up to your labour starting you might experience:
- Increased clear vaginal discharge
- Mild upset stomach or diarrhoea
- Feeling energetic or restless
- Episodes of regular tightenings (period type pains) followed by episodes of irregular tightenings that can even stop for a few hours
During the early stages of labour your cervix will be making a lot of changes. Your cervix will transition from being tilted towards your back (posterior) and being thick, closed and firm to being tilted towards your front (anterior) and being soft, thin and stretchy. Following these changes your cervix will begin to open and dilate.
You may experience a show, which is a plug of thick mucus that forms in the cervix, and the plug may pass out through the vagina. This can happen one to two weeks before labour, during labour or sometimes not at all. This may appear clear in colour, or mucousy blood loss, which appears like a blood stained jelly-like substance. If you experience fresh bleeding at any time then we advise you to attend the Maternity Assessment Suite (MAS) for an assessment.
You may experience your waters breaking, as the amniotic fluid around your baby breaks and leaks from your vagina. Most women and birthing people’s waters break during labour but it can happen before labour starts. There may be a sudden gush of fluid or a small trickle. If you are unsure if your waters have gone due to a small loss of fluid or know that your waters have broken, then contact either the Bluebell Birth Centre (BBC) or the MAS and we will invite you in for an assessment. The fluid may be clear in colour, yet it may also be pink (blood stained) or meconium stained (when your baby has had a poo). If the baby has passed meconium then the colour of the water will be green or yellow. Wear a sanitary pad to help with the leak and to observe the colour of the waters for when you attend for an assessment. If your waters do break before labour, you may naturally go into labour, but if you don’t within 24 hours, we will discuss inducing or augmenting your labour with you. This is recommended to help reduce the risk of infection for both you and your baby.
When your contractions start, you may experience irregular contractions that vary in duration and strength. These can sometimes last for a few days and when your contractions become strong and regular, it may be helpful to start timing them (approximately how often they are coming and how long they last for). You can call the BBC or MAS for support at any time. If you’re planning a homebirth, your midwife will come and visit you at home at the appropriate time. If you’re planning to give birth in the hospital, you will normally be advised to come in when your contractions are every three minutes and lasting for 60 seconds.
You may find trying different positions, walking, a warm bath, distraction and relaxation techniques, massage and resting in between contractions useful when at home. It is important to have regular light snacks (even if you don’t feel hungry) and to sleep when possible. It is also important to drink, taking regular small sips of fluids in order to remain hydrated. You don’t need to drink more than you would normally.
If you have any concerns during this time, please call the BBC or MAS for advice. We will be happy to support you.