So what does a beauty blogger pack in her maternity hospital bag?

So like a lamb to the slaughter, here I wait at 40 weeks + 3 days. A veritable over-sized time-bomb waiting to go off.

All this time on ones hands lends to over-thinking (and perhaps a little overeating..)An over-thinker at the best of times when it comes to packing, you can only imagine what having the hospital maternity bag packed since Christmas has equated to.

Now here is your carte blanche to shoot right over to another window in your browser and stage exit left. Errr labour and babies, Imma outta here. Hell I would have a few years back.

But stick around should you have a friend or relly who is about to pop, you are with bump or you have found this via googling because I've thought about this maternity bag for a long time now and  between googling and some stellar advice from friends and colleagues and ante-natal classes, I reckon my list is extensive!!

Or maybe you'll remember the crazy maternity bag packing lady post when your in the same ready to pop state down the line and come back here... eitherway I thought perhaps all the energy I've spent on packing this bloody bag and getting it to the stage where I can grab and go warranted a blog post, be it rather long.....regardless its been a great distraction over the past few LONG ....DRAWN .....OUTTTTTT ...... DAYS............

So the two challenges I found when packing a maternity stay bag

• Your bag needs to be ready probably long before you and baby are so you can't just pack the things you use everyday in there, you need duplicates, preferably mini-sized, as good excuse as any to splurge on gift with purchase items on the run up
• You want home comforts and practical things and don't want to miss or want for anything but lets face it once bubby comes along you are probably too tired/sore/in love/emotional to care 

Here is the Vine visual :
(Vineing? Come join me @memybestandi)

Make-up
No you don't wanted to be tarted up to the nines the days following your baby's arrival but you may want a bit of slap to make you feel human, presentable in photos and for visitors. I for one turn a deathly shade of pale with just a menial headache, I'm sure my ghostly pallor will be ten times that post-birth.

I also had to pack items from my stash that I don't use everyday day so I wouldn't miss them plus they needed to be able to be meet the criteria of being applied quickly and with ease and no fuss and also look natural on;

• A BB cream (Garnier Miracle Skin Perfector) and a Mineral Foundation (Korres Wild Rose Mineral Foundation) & a  powder brush, a fool could apply either of these bases even without a mirror and with one hand
• A rosy cream blush, think pinch your cheeks, can also double on lips,old corpse chops will need it (Becca Beach Tint, Watermelon)
• A nude eyeshadow combo (Clinique Mink Duo)
• A longwear, tearproof, smudgeproof mascara that is easy to get off, think tubular formulas. (Mirenesse Secret Weapon 24hr Mascara)
• An illuminating under-eye concealer for shadows and bags (SLA Perfection Concealer)
• An illuminator, perhaps to lift that  flat, deathly complexion and feign a glow (Benefit High Beam, mini from Mr Brightside set)
• A sheer bronzer - again think deathly pale, maybe also has a mirror & brush in compact, bonus (Physicians Formula Cashmere Wear Ultra-Smoothing Bronzer)
• A pink/nude gloss or balm (Burt's Bees Tinted Lip Balm in Pink Blossom)

Cosmetics

Again minis are great for reducing bulk. For me a nice face wash or shower gel is uplifting and makes me feel good about myself when zonked. Its not so much about vanity or grooming this line up but comfort

• A face wash (more reviving than cleanser or wipes)and I also dig the energized feeling after after a face scrub, plus it puts some colour back in your cheeks (I packed The Organic Skin Co Freshness Juniper Face Wash & Brightening Almond Seed Face Exfoliant, both minis came in last quarter's Ecobox,  so saved them for this occasion)
• A cooling eye gel - aircon/heating and physical exhaustion makes eyes dry (Clinique All About Eyes Serum De-Puffing Eye Massage - sounds just what you need right? This has some cooling, depuffing roller ball action which I love)
• A facial spritz - also great for your birthing partner to spritz on you during labour  for a lift or to cool down (Kosmea Hydrating Rosewater Mist mini)
• A moisturiser - I just packed a skin oil mini, again think dry air (Kosmea Radiance 24/7 Youth Boost mini) and some sachets of day creams I had from who knows when 
• Mini shower gel - I hate the industrial stuff in hospitals etc, SLSs, icky (Swisse Body wash mini , again came in a Bellabox)
• Shampoo & Conditioner & a mini dry shampoo for when you are not arsed to wash your hair (I had Kerastase Chroma minis left over from holidays, lots of silicone, make shiny, easy, fast hair drying + a mini Batiste)
• A hair serum (again this is about quick drying, manageable hair with minimum effort,  the Dove Nourishing Oil Care is tiny in size and would make the most unruly hair ruly)
• Deodorant, low or no fragrance, as is quite near the breastages and bubby's milk bar - a spare, I packed away a half used one and bought a full one to replace it (Soapwalla Deodorant Cream)
• Paw Paw Ointment - Doubles as a lip balm plus great for any chaffing or the like that may eventuate (Natralus Natural Paw Paw Ointment)
• Mini hairbrush, shower cap, hair elastics, bobby pins, a razor, a spare toothbrush (again I bought a new one and packed my old one) and a mini emery board (for bubby, their nails can be quite sharp and long OR you, nothing more annoying than a torn, catching nail on teeny weeny delicate baby outfits)
• Lens solution mni & case if you wear lenses

Hopeful, optimistic & handy extras
You may want some products that will "help" with relaxation and pain management even if just for the placebo effect and as a new pain relief gimmick to try for distraction purposes.

• Aromatherapy products. Clary Sage Oil, can help increase frequency of contractions and speed up labour, can also ease cramps. Add to the bath, rub on your tummy, burn in the room (my hospital has electric oil burners for use). I also bought Vanessa Megan's Birth Ease Labor Spray (includes more clary sage, peppermint, frankincense  lavender etc) again hubby can mist on me and around me to provide some uplifting, relaxing and cooling
• Magnesium Chloride products - I bought the starter pack from Echolife which has an oil, gel and bath salts. Magnesium can be absorbed by the skin and is great for reviving tired muscles, easing cramps and pain and replacing lost eleectrolytes. Hubby can rub the oil or gel  on if he is massaging my back etc and I can soak in the  bath
• Local lavender bath salts sachet - lavender is an analgesic ie relieves cramps plus the obvious calming & relaxing factor
• A massage bar - I packed Lush's Wiccy Magic Muscles, the smell is really spicy and uplifting which is also great for warming muscles and easing pain
• Throat lozenges - my fav Butter Menthol, not only will they provide a quick energy sugar hit when needed, I'm sure all that hollering and screeching makes for a very raw throat
• High energy snacks - you won't want to eat much but your energy levels need to stay up, I packed Carmen Muesli Bars and Loving Earth AFA, Goji & Chia Luvjus - a high protein, high energy raw organic snack that also contains AFA- a mega supergreen. The best power-snack I know
• My Bobble for easily filtering tap water, about 2 litres of coconut water, I've been told the best thing you can do is stay mega-hydrated during labour. Look no further than coconut water. I also packed some local Gillespies Ginger Beer, Extra Zing, again a sugar hit and also really gingery to help if nausea attacks
• TENS machine, you can rent from any physiotherapist, ours cost $20 for two weeks rental. It is basically an electric stimulus applied via a pad that distracts the nerves for pain management and also makes your body release serotonin for feel goodness, think Slendertone machines, remember them? It was these words that the midwife taking our ante-natal classes said that sold me, she had tried it out in the name of research to see if it was any use "put it this way its good, really good, if I'd known about this with my three I would have absolutely rented one)

Practical Extras

• Maternity pads, 2 packs
• Breast pads - best to go non adhesive & natural fibres (adhesive can make a moist damp environment, you know what happens next)
• A pen & paper (lists of thank yous, forms, timing contractions, making note of feed times, nappy changes etc)
• Your phone charger and camera (fully charged) I don't trust my iPhone for the quality shots I want
• A hand sanitizer mini, you will be paranoid about germs near baby!
• An eye mask and ear plugs, if you need to nap it won't be easy in hospital flouro light or with the screams of newborn bubbies all around
• Your own tea bags- have you tried hospital tea- bah
• Does your hubby/partner have a list of all the people and their numbers you want to announce the birth to?
• Music playlist and speakers. Music is the best form of relaxant for me. I made a 'Welcome Baby Wakely' playlist while sitting on the exercise bike to distract me all those months ago and I've packed our portable BOSE speakers
• We are still undecided on middle names, I've packed our shortlist.
• ID photos - most hospitals ask you to bring these now for identification for you and also that you are the babies parents
• Reader Suggestion: Your own pillow, home comforts!
• Reader Suggestion: Mags, laptop, books, distractions, particularly for hubby too and if you are being induced there may be a long wait before the action happens.......

For you:

• New nighties, dressing gown and slippers, you want to feel special afterwards, new nightwear always does that. Nighties are handy in case you've had stitches and also easy to plop a boob out on demand! Sounds vain but choose a non-draining colour!
• Reader Suggestion: Maybe hold off on the nice new nightie for the first day or two & asses how much mess is happening!
• For the actual birth I bought two extra long cotton vest dresses a few sizes up in Cotton On in grey cotton like the piccie below. Long enough to keep you modest if walking around, easy to hike up or pull a shoulder down as required. 
• I bought a bumper pack of black cotton boy shorts a few sizes up for afterwards in Kmart. I believe mens boxers are also great as they are loose. Also some plain black nursing bras in a size bigger than now. Black because it is forgiving stain wise ;)
• I just packed leggings and long breastfeeding tops that will cover my jelly-butt from Target for comfort and some breastfeeding bras (again black) and a long maxi dress for going home in
• Thongs/Flip Flops for the shower and fat feet, slipper socks are also handy, your feet may still be fat and not fit into the other nice new slippers you packed

For that bundle of new joy:

• They say five growsuits, I packed about eight, Friends have said that the baby doesnt mess them uprwally but you might with a badly aimed inexperienced feeding attempt! So pack a  few spare.
• Some vests and onesies
• Scratch mittties and some hats
• Your cutest growsuit/hat combo for going home in
• Your own baby blanket and muslin wraps for swaddling, you may want your own  for photos rather than hospital one. Apparently they get mixed up with hospital ones easily and sent off to be laundered so be mindful
• A wet bag - for all those dirty new baby clothes to bring home and wash with love. 
• Bubby's hairbrush - I got this cute wooden one Baruti from The Body Shop, our Obstetrician has already commented that our baby has hair in the scans, you may want to tame it if its all wild and fuzzy!
• Our hospital supplies all nappies and baby products (organic & natural, was so pleased!) so we didn't need to worry about that, be worthwhile checking though.....
• Reader Suggestion: If its warm baby might not wear too much under their swaddle
• Reader Suggestion: hospital may also provide baby clothes - check before hand

The last minute list

There are things you simply can't pack until you are on your way. I've put a list on top of my bag for the hubby to do the last scramble before we leave

• Bananas if there are any fresh in the house-again small and light but effective energy superfood snacks
• Contact lenses or my glasses, whatever I'm not wearing at the time
• My hairdryer - my hair simply should not be allowed to air dry, ever
• Phone charge (if you don't have a spare already packed)
• Wallet/Phone
• My vitamins (I have a Nana's pill box, I reckon if you are ever gonna need your vits, it is now

PSSSSSST - one more thing

• I've been snacking on dates, 4 a day. This study explains why, you can't ignore those stats
• Get on the Raspberry Leaf Tea, actually I've been taking the Herbs of Gold tablets daily for the past few months (those round ones in the nana box above) alongside a cup or two a day of the tea. Some study findings here on benefits
• Pop a maternity mattress protector on you mattress a few weeks out, I got a pack from Mothercare, apparently great before (just in case) and also after for a few weeks
• The above is based on a 4 day stay at hospital as per my healthcare fund

Don't also forget to pack your brave face, some blind optimism and remember to keep your eyes on that prize!!

It is over to you now Baby Wakely, Mummy is waiting, see you soon xx

Mums who have been through it - what else am I missing? 
What did you pack you were so glad you had? Would love to add your suggestions to the list.

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