Here is my hospital checklist to help prepare for the arrival of your little one. This detailed checklist for both mum and baby is everything I found helpful after the birth of my first baby. Hope you find it useful too.

For you:

• Your birth plan and maternity notes.

• A pen and paper/notebook. I found I wanted to write down my experience before I forgot it. It’s true that the brain clouds/blocks your memories of labour within hours/days of it happening, I guess so you’re willing to do it all over again even if it was a full-on experience.

• An old nightdress or a loose oversized shirt to wear during labour.

• Pyjama: button-down are best if you plan to breastfeed. My favourite pyjamas are from Deiji.

• Warm socks.

• Bras and underwear: I like the high waisted underwear you can get from Bonds or Target/Kmart etc. Breastfeeding bras if you plan to breastfeed. I own both Target ones and Juem bras which are pricey but so lovely.

• 2-3 packs of sanitary pads — either ‘super’ size or maternity size (you can buy maternity pads in supermarkets).

• Perineal ice packs - the hospital will most likely give you disposable ice packs to use however if I had known about these Ice Ice Booby perineal and breast ice heat packs in advance I would have purchased them. They are great for when you get home as well and are better for the environment. I used these ice packs for up to 2 weeks after birth.

• Toiletries: lip balm, toothbrush and toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, dry shampoo, face wash, moisturiser, make-up, hairbrush/comb. I took a few luxurious toiletry items too, for example, you could buy a special travel pack from Aesop to make it something special.

• Hair ties or a scrunchie.

• Quick-dry hair towel.

• Absorbent breast pads. I prefer reusable (for environmental reasons) but having disposable on-hand for the early days is a good idea.

• Massage oil or lotion if you’d like to be massaged during your labour or afterwards (I found I was quite achy so a nice massage in the days following was well received!).

• Books, magazines - I found I didn’t have a chance to read anything as any downtime I did have I wanted to sleep, eat or just bask in the hormonal high I had from giving birth but it was good to know they were there if I wanted to read something

• Charged camera, charger and memory card. A Polaroid camera is a nice idea too!

• Chocolates for midwives as a thank you, we ended up picking up something from the store at the hospital but you could be prepped in advance.

• Phone and charger.

• Comfortable loose clothing.

• A lightweight rob or dressing gown and slippers.

• Dirty clothes bag/plastic bag

• Drink bottle

• Thongs (for shower or walking around the hospital)

• Snacks: nuts, bananas, crackers, coconut water, dark chocolate and lollies but not too many as they will make your sugar levels spike then crash

• Straw to help you drink while feeding

  • Clothes for birth partner:

    • Change of clothes if they’re staying overnight or if it’s a long labour

    • Board shorts if you plan on labouring in the shower, they’ll get wet too if they’re in there with you offering their support

    • Snacks for them too

  • Cash

For baby:

• Growsuits (with fold-over mittens and closed in feet) - (Quantity – Two per day, plus some extras)

• Singlets or bodysuits - (Quantity – Two per day, plus some extras)

• Cotton beanie.

• Muslin cloths.

• Reusable terry-towelling nappy towels - so handy to mop up any messes! I love the Big Softies Towel Nappies.

• Disposable nappies (if you plan to use them) as some hospitals do not supply these (Quantity – up to 10 per day)

• Nappies and clothes for the baby to wear home.

• Cleaning products for baby, nappy wipes or cotton wool for baby’s nappy changes (check with your hospital or birth centre to see if they provide these)

• Leaving hospital outfit plus a change of clothes for the baby, if you have a long-distance to travel or incase first is soiled

• Baby blanket - warmer if you’re giving birth in cold season

• Baby capsule already fitted in your car