When you get towards the end of your pregnancy a lot of excitement and nerves start to set in. Preparing for labour can be a little daunting and scary at first.

Trying to remember all the things you want to take with you to the hospital, focusing on your birthing plan and it happening the way you would like it to.

At times things may not go to plan and will change throughout the process, this is something else you need to be ready for and prepared for.

Once you have created your birth plan and spoken about it with your birthing partner, midwife and doctor it is time to start preparing for your hospital stay and what you need to take with you to the hospital.

It’s important when packing the clothes that you’ll be wearing at the hospital to pack loose fitting and comfortable clothes.

You don’t want to have anything with tight waist bands that are going to cause pain or discomfort after birth.

Have a large, loose shirt or a nightie to wear during the labour as this will keep you comfortable and is easy to move out of the way when it comes time to push.

Remember a jacket or cardigan as well, even if you’re due in the middle of summer it can get quite cold inside the hospital.

Visit our website for maternity wear that offers comfortable robes and kaftans for during and after labour

Labour can take time and there is a lot of waiting around.

During this time it’s important to keep your energy levels up and make sure that you’re keeping your body ready to take on the harder end of the labour.

Take snacks with you including sandwiches, muesli bars and protein balls.

Having a bag of lollies is also a good idea to help with boosting energy quickly.

Along with snacks also make sure that you take a water bottle to sip on throughout the labour to keep you hydrated right through. We have selected the Autospout water bottle from Contigo as our top pick for labour, you can take a look at it here

As there’s sometimes a lot of waiting around it’s important to keep yourself entertained and distracted.

Things such as a new book, puzzle or crossword book or even a tablet loaded with a range of movies on it, is a good way to pass the time and to help keep you distracted.

These also come in handy for the impatient support person ????

In many cases you need to stay in hospital at least overnight, even if you’re not having to stay overnight you’ll still normally shower after birth so it’s important that you’re prepared with the necessary toiletries.

Soap, toothbrush, toothpaste and deodorant are all essential to take with you to make you feel fresher and more yourself after the birth.

Also make sure that you’ve got at a minimum 2 packets of maternity pads with you.

Each person is different and goes through pads at different rates and it’s best to have more than needed than to run out.

Of course you need to also pack for your baby and their arrival.

You can have two hospital bags set up; one for you and one for bub.

Pack a variety of onesies; both long and short ones, singlets, bibs, socks and beanies for bub.

You will also need to pack the other essential items such as nappies, wipes, spit cloths, nappy cream and nipple cream (for you).

There does sound like there is a lot to take with you to the hospital but it’s always better to be over prepared than to have to send someone out to buy extra things for you.

Don’t feel like you’re taking too many clothes as it’s as simple as just taking home the ones you don’t use and you are more than likely to have already purchased these items to use at home anyway.

The Maternity Ward Gift Box that we have put together is a great all rounder for mum with products that are sure to make her labour more comfortable. You can also customise your own here >

And finally, don’t forget the going home outfit.

This is the outfit that you want to use to show your baby off to the world.

The announcement outfit in other words.

Choose something that is simple yet elegant and that will showcase your baby and all their natural beauty.