Preparing for labour

Have your hospital bag packed from 36 weeks and go through your birth preferences with your birthing support person and midwife.

What to bring

For mothers

• Your Pregnancy Health Record
• Comfortable clothing
• Toiletries and tissues
• Maternity bras
• Massage oil, barley sugar, glucose drinks or music for labour
• Current medications
• Maternity sanitary pads

For baby

• 24 newborn size nappies
• Newborn clothes including singlets, jumpsuits or warm outfits
• Small cotton blankets
• Baby wipes or cotton wool
• Face washers

Birth partners should also prepare a bag.

Support during labour

It can be helpful to have a partner, family or friend providing emotional and physical support during labour. The hospital allows two support people with you during labour that can help you by:

• supporting your decisions, such as the pain relief methods that you choose
• explaining to the doctor or midwife what you need – and the other way round – which can help you feel much more in control of the situation
• cut the umbilical cord – talk to your midwife about this
• some women choose to hire a doula, a person who is not a member of your maternity team but is experienced in supporting women and their partners during labour
• check with your GP or midwife about policies regarding support people.

Limited use of mobile phones and recording devices

You’re welcome to bring your mobile phones, however they can sometimes interfere with our wireless baby monitor equipment. For this reason, we ask that you turn your mobile off during labour. Videos are not permitted.