Hospital Bag Essentials

As many of you who follow me on Instagram know, I have less than 1 month to go before meeting my first baby girl!!! This pregnancy has been such a life changing experience, the highest highs and the lowest lows I’ve probably felt my entire life (largely due to hormones) but also a result of one of the most exciting chapters of one’s life. The process of bringing a LIFE onto this earth – it’s insane even to write it out.

I still can’t fully grasp what’s about to happen and don’t think I really will until she’s in my arms.

Many of you have asked me to post about this pregnancy long ago and are probably wondering why it’s taken me so long. To be honest, despite having an online presence via social media, I’ve always been quite private. I love sharing style & tips but it’s always been capped at a superficial level – where to shop, what to buy, what trends to follow. But having gone through this experience so far with very few close friends who have been through pregnancy and hence few people to truly confide in and understand what I was going through, I think it might be worth sharing more so that maybe some of you who are also pregnant realise you’re not the only one.

Almost my entire pregnancy, I’ve been learning new things. Having always been a type A person, it’s been hard to not know…anything. Everything is new and I’m taking it one day at a time. With her arrival getting closer and closer, I’ve started to pack my hospital bag – another black hole phrase. So here’s a quick checklist for those of you who also don’t know what exactly needs to be in this bag:

For YOU – one of the biggest things I’ve noticed through pregnancy is how often you forget to take care of yourSELF. Everything becomes about baby and it’s hard to prioritise but so important to remember your mental health directly translates to how you will be as a mother, so don’t let this go.

• Something to wear for labour
• Swimwear if you’re going for a water birth
• Loungewear for post birth
• Nursing bra / breast pads
• Massage oils / lotions / toiletries – choose some luxe products to make you feel more like you’re at home and less sterile
• Lip balm and hairband
• Books / magazines / playlist for labour
• Maternity panties
• Snacks! – something my doc highly suggested. Bring dried fruit & nuts for energy and anything else you love
• Any notes for your doc re: birth plan or other

For your partner – Another person who gets put a bit in the backseat…remember he/she has been going through just as much, maybe not physically, but mentally, and don’t forget to involve and include them.

• Clothes / nightwear for intended length of stay
• Toiletries
• Camera (if desired)
• More snacks!

For baby

• Car seat or if you’re not driving, at least a moses basket or pram that you intend to leave with (not just carrying him/her in your arms though that sounds tempting)
• Baby onesie
• Muslin cloth
• Diapers (size newborn)
• Hat, scratch mittens, accessories if you want (I’m definitely bringing her a few bows :))

Most of these items I just ordered straight off Amazon Prime for convenience but one thing I’ve seriously struggled with all through this pregnancy is finding maternity clothes and in this case loungewear, nursing wear for my hospital bag that I don’t HATE. Most of what’s available out there is the epitome of frumpy. I refuse to feel even less myself than I already do by dressing myself in hideous clothes.

That is until I found Francis & Henry. Finally a brand catering to women and newborn babies that’s CHIC. The materials are gorgeous, simple and clean – no crazy prints, just luxe, high quality jersey and cotton nursing dresses & cardigans in greys, whites and blacks. The bundles also make them the perfect gift for yourself or fellow mama friends.

I’ve packed the full Mama Bundle in my hospital bag and am so excited to wear these pieces. And trust me, excited is not a word I’ve used to describe many pieces of clothing this pregnancy.

I hope this post provides at least one useful tip for you and look forward to more pregnancy posts to come!

xxx

F