Tag: labour

What’s in Your Hospital Bag? With First Time Mama Christina

Packing your hospital bag is the perfect way to feel prepared & empowered for labour. But it isn’t always easy to judge what you’ll need on the big day.

We caught up with Seraphine model & first-time mama Christina to find out what she’s packing in her hospital bag.

What’s in Christina’s Hospital Bag? Watch the Video

Here’s Christina’s list & the links to everything included… just in case you’d like to nab any ideas for your own hospital bag!

What to Wear During Labour?

Pregnant woman wearing maternity leggings & a tank top. Must-haves for the hospital bag

Labour can be a long & often messy process, so we advise a few changes of clothes to keep you feeling fresh. Some comfy leggings & tanks are ideal for the early stages, then our two pack of black button-down nighties are ideal for the main event.

They’re super soft & stretchy, and the practical button down design allows access to the bump during labour & then for skin to skin & breastfeeding immediately after.

Bamboo Maternity Leggings

Maternity & Nursing Tanks – Twin Pack

Black Button-Down Maternity Nighties – Twin Pack

What You’ll Need After Baby Arrives

New mother hugs her newborn baby in the Seraphine skin to skin top. A hospital bag must-have.

For the first 24 to 48 hours after having your baby, the hospital will usually want to keep you & baby in for monitoring, so make sure you have enough comfy clothes to recover in & everything you need for an overnight stay.

Nursing bras & clothes with easy access will be important – our Skin to Skin Top is also a must-have.

Bamboo Nursing Bras – Twin Pack

Skin to Skin Top

Maternity Joggers

Grey Marl Crossover Maternity & Nursing Sweatshirt

Seraphine Sleep Kit – Including a sleep bra, nightie & dressing gown

Things to Remember for the Hospital Bag

Don’t forget all those bits & pieces to help you through, from speakers, toiletries & snacks to a camera to capture those first special moments & all the chargers you’ll need to keep your devices alive.

Seraphine Travel Changing Mat & Pouch (perfect for toiletries)

Bluetooth speaker

Headphones

Camera

Birth plan

Snacks

Water bottle

The Going Home Outfit

New mum wearing Seraphine maternity & nursing dress with her baby

And finally, you may want to pack an outfit that’s a little more presentable (while still remaining super-comfy, of course!) for pictures with baby & any guests who visit as well as that all-important trip home with your precious newborn.

Cotton Chambray Maternity & Nursing Dress

Striped Maternity & Nursing Dress

Black Bamboo Maternity Leggings

From the softest essentials & nightwear to nursing must-haves & those first precious skin to skin snuggles – we’ve got you covered mama! Check out our full hospital bag packing guide online & shop the full selection here.

Happy packing mamas & best of luck for the big day!

What is Hypnobirthing? How Does it Work & Which Celebs Swear by it?

Imagine labour & birth, re-framed as a positive, empowering, even euphoric experience. Sound too good to be true?

That is the birth that hypnobirthing advocates claim is possible.

 

What is Hypnobirthing?

Get the Look: Double Layer Maternity & Nursing Top

 

Hypnobirthing is a system developed to help women through labour and birth. It involves visualisation, relaxation, massage and breathing exercises.

The aim is to identify and release the fear surrounding birth and reframe it in positive language.

For example, instead of thinking about getting through the next painful contraction, you are encouraged to focus on how each ‘surge’ or ‘wave’ brings you closer to meeting your baby.

 

Vlogger Hannah Michalak Shares her Positive Birth Story

 

Busting the Myths

The term Hypnobirthing can be misleading – there is no hypnosis involved and you will be fully conscious and aware of what is happening at all times.

The method simply provides tools and techniques that you and your birthing partner can use to remain calm and focused throughout the final stages of your pregnancy, labour & birth.

 

Can Hypnobirthing Replace Pain Relief?

A post shared by Hannah Michalak (@magsy24) on

Hannah Michalak loved our Little Black Maternity Dress

 

Every birth is different, and the only person who can decide which method of pain relief is right for you is you.

Hypnobirthing techniques can be used alone or in conjunction with other pain relieving options such as a birthing pool, gas and air or epidural. The decision is 100% yours.

Some women claim to have experienced a pain-free birth using nothing but hypnobirthing techniques, though these cases are of course the exception rather than the norm.

 

Celebrity Mums Who Hypnobirth

The Duchess of Cambridge loved our Printed Woven Maternity Dress

 

Hypnobirthing classes have grown steadily in popularity over the past decade or so, often through word of mouth from one mum to another.

Many celebrity mums have opened up about their positive experiences with hypnobirthing, including Angelina Jolie, Jessica Alba, Giovanna Fletcher and Fearne Cotton to name but a few. It is even rumoured that The Duchess of Cambridge practices the techniques.

 

How Can I Learn Hypnobirthing?

Get the Look: Bamboo Lounge Maternity Pyjamas

 

If you are interested in finding out more, we recommend investigating what’s available in your local area. In some parts of the UK, hypnobirthing classes are offered at reduced rates or even for free on the NHS.

Many private practitioners offer classes in small groups with other couples, or as one to one sessions.

And if classes aren’t an option, there are plenty of books, DVDs and other materials available to help you go it alone.

Hospital Bag Checklist: What to Pack for Mum & Baby

As your third trimester approaches, it’s time to start thinking about what to pack in your hospital bag.

Space at the hospital is limited, but you definitely don’t want to arrive only to realise that you’ve forgotten something essential.

 

Zabeena’s Hospital Bag Checklist

 

We caught up with third-time mama Seraphine model Zabeena, who shared her ultimate hospital bag checklist with us. These are the things she’ll be taking along for baby number three.

Zabeena is packing the Seraphine Tote Bag 

Check out our Hospital Bag selection to see our top picks for taking to the hospital.

 

Hospital Bag Must-Haves For Mum

What to pack in your hospital bag

 

*Your Birth Plan: You’ll want a printed copy handy to give to your midwife.

*Comfy Maternity Nightwear: A soft button-down nightie is a must – it’s ideal for labour as well as skin to skin and breastfeeding afterwards. A matching dressing gown and supportive sleep bra are also a great idea to pack.

Browse our range of maternity & nursing nightwear online.

*Slippers: Because nobody wants to get cold feet during labour!

*A Camera: Capture those first precious moments.

 

Packing your hospital bag

 

* The Wash Bag: Make sure to pack all the regular overnight essentials – Toothbrush & toothpaste, lip balm, hairbrush, ties & clips, flannel, face wash, deodorant, travel size shower gel, shampoo, conditioner & towels, tissues, wet wipes, and maternity pads.

*Some Distractions: Magazines, music, phone, iPad & chargers – don’t get caught out without juice at a crucial moment.

*Snacks & Drinks: Pack plenty for you & your partner – It may be a long wait, and nobody wants a hangry birthing partner! Isotonic drinks like Lucozade are a great way to keep your energy levels up.

 

Nursing Essentials for Your Hospital Bag

 

*Nursing Bras & Comfy Briefs: A few pairs of comfy briefs are a must for after labour. And if you plan to nurse, you’ll want to pack some comfortable nursing bras.

*Nipple Cream: To ease any soreness

*Breast Pads: An essential whether you’re nursing or not

*A Nursing Shawl: For discreet breastfeeding when visitors come to call. Our collection of stylish breastfeeding covers are a great choice and are also perfect for swaddling baby.

 

Baby Hospital Bag Essentials

Baby clothes to pack in your hospital bag

 

*Diapers: Pack plenty, and make sure to bring the right size for newborns.

*Outfits for Baby: 3 soft newborn onesies, preferably front opening ones, and a nice outfit for going home in. Check out our beautiful gift sets for newborns featuring 100% organic cotton baby clothes.

*Accessories for Baby: a hat, socks, mittens and a baby blanket are all essentials for keeping your little one cozy for the trip home.

 

Leaving Hospital Outfit

Hospital bag checklist - what to pack

 

Soft, Comfy Maternity Clothes: Your body will take time to settle back to normal, so your maternity leggings, tops and dresses will be your best friends for the first weeks & months with baby. Choose an outfit that’s soft, comfy and easy to wear. But don’t forget, you’ll be taking plenty of pictures of baby’s first few days, so make sure to choose an outfit you’ll be happy to look back on in years to come.

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