Hospital Bag

Things are starting to get exciting now! You’re around 35/36 weeks pregnant and thinking about the day when you meet your little bundle of joy for the very first time. The last thing you need is to be worrying that you’ve forgotten something at home, so here I lay out some essentials that I found so useful during my hospital stay when Charlie arrived (for my birth story blog click here).

It’s worth asking your hospital in advance what they supply so you don’t end up packing unnecessary items. The two health systems in Spain are very different when it comes to what they provide women and newborn babies so make sure you’re in the know. If you are using the free social security healthcare system, they usually provide towels, bath sponges, maternity pads and disposable underwear, nightgowns for mum, nappies and clothes for babies. If you have private healthcare and have chosen a private hospital to give birth in (as I did) you are usually given less things (which as a British person who had never used Private Healthcare back in the UK blew my mind!). However, my hospital in Madrid did towels, maternity pads (but not the famous mesh knickers) nightgown for me and blankets for baby. No nappies, clothes or anything else for the baby really though…..

(for an American ex-pat experience of giving birth in Spain, head over to Emily's Blog "This is the Milk")

I found it easier to pack two bags, one for me and one for baby. I have to admit I totally forgot about my husband so he had to rush home the morning after Charlie was born to collect a few personal items (oops). For a downloadable list so you can print and check-off items as you go, click here!

For Baby:

• 3 sleep suits
• 3 vests
• Muslin cloths (receiving blankets)
• Nappies
• Reusable bamboo wipes or cotton wool pads
• Nail care kit
• 2 cellular blankets
• 3 pairs of socks
• 3 hats
• Going home outfit
• Car Seat

 For Mum:

• Your birth plan and hospital notes
• Pilates ball if the hospital doesn’t provide them
• Boob care kit (for those planning to breastfeed):
• Nipple pads
• Nursing Bra
• Lanolin nipple cream
• Breastfeeding pillow
• Toiletry Bag
• Make-up
• Make-up remover
• Toothbrush
• Toothpaste
• Any medication you need
• Deodorant
• Shampoo and conditioner (I couldn’t wait to wash my hair after labour!)
• Face-wash and moisturiser
• Lip balm (your lips can really dry out during labour)
• Hair brush
• Hair ties
• Witchhazel spray (I was skeptical about this but it soothed my stitches like a dream!)
• Maternity Pads
• Disposable knickers
• Snacks and energy drinks (you’re going to be running a marathon not a sprint)
• Water bottle with straw - much easier to drink from whilst in labour than cups or a screw top bottle
• Warm cozy socks/slippers (weirdly your feet can get cold during labour!)
• Nightgown or button pyjamas that have easy boob access
• T-shirt or old nightdress for labour, I wouldn’t recommend anything new as you will probably stain it and once you’re at the end of labour you either won’t be wearing it anymore (I was completely naked by the end) or you won’t care!
• 3 changes of comfy clothes plus a going home outfit. It’s pretty standard in Spain to stay at least two nights in hospital so make sure you’re comfy
• Towels (on that note you might want your own soft towels as the hospital ones were quite stiff I found).
• A book, iPad, iPhone things to keep you occupied. Plus ALL THE CHARGERS

For your partner:

• Toothbrush
• Deodorant
• Change of clothes
• Towel
• Small change for parking and vending machines