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What to pack in my hospital bag for childbirth?

Hospital Bag for Childbirth Homebirth Bag

Top tips on how when and what to pack in your hospital bag for childbirth.

You can pack your birth bag whenever you like but ideally would like to have it ready at least 3 weeks before your due date.

If you have a birth partner, get them involved in packing the hospital bag. That way they know where things are for the birth!

Use one large bag as your hospital bag which will contain your ‘overnight stuff’. Then pack three smaller bags to fit into you large hospital bag for childbirth!

Hospital Bag for Childbirth Hombirth Bag
Top Tip for your Hospital Bag: Pack Smaller bags into one larger bag or suitcase!

Bag for mum/birthing person

  • Your birth plan and maternity notes
  • Comfy, lose-fit dressing gown
  • Nighties  (ideally ones that opens at the front for breastfeeding access)
  • Comfy loose clothes – big baggy jogging bottoms, zip-up hoodie, tops that undo down the front for skin-to-skin/feeding
  • Slippers that you can slide your feet into rather than pulling on – if you have a Caesarean Birth bending over is tricky.
  • Socks – often women get cold feet during labour
  • Slip-on shoes
  • Flip-flops to wear in the shower
  • Hand Sanitiser
  • Wash bag including shower gel with a hook, so you don’t have to bend over in the shower, hand cream as constant hand gel use makes hands very sore,
  • lip balm as air is dry
  • Packs of waisted Bridget Jones massive cotton knickers in case you have a Caesarean Birth – dark colours are best and a couple of sizes up from your usual
  • Arnica and/or witch hazel for piles and bruising relief
  • Maternity pads packs
  • Nursing bras
  • Large pack Breast pads in case of boob leakage or washable ones
  • Pillow and/or pillowcase from home
  • Towel – hospital ones are scratchy
  • Eye mask (it’s never dark!)
  • Face mask (if you’d like your washable ones)
  • Earplugs (it’s never quiet!)
  • Hairbands
  • Headphones
  • Phone with labour playlist downloaded (you’re usually allowed to take your phone into theatre and can play music via Bluetooth)
  • Small tripod to prop up your phone/camera
  • Phone charger
  • Phone Power Bank
  • Snacks. If having a Caesarean Birth maybe apricots/prunes to ease constipation – you may not have a bowel movement for several days, and it can be a strain
  • Peppermint Tea Bags. In the case of a Caesarean Birth, it helps to get rid of wind caused by the operation.
  • Sports drink
  • Books/magazines/puzzles – in case you have to stay in hospital beforehand, or after.
  • Tissues for all the crying
  • Photo of your partner for times when they cannot be with you or maybe something that they have given you i.e. love notes
  • Photo of older children
  • Photo of you pet(s)

Bag for baby

  • Muslins 
  • Nappies – newborn size 1 fits most babies – newborns go through approx 12 nappies a day
  • Cotton wool pads/balls
  • Baby clothes – at least vests,  sleepsuits/babygrows,  jumpers/cardigans, hat  including a going home outfit
  • Baby blankets  (cotton or cellular or wool)

Bag for partner

  • Change of clothes
  • Snacks
  • Phone & Chargers or power bank
  • Change for vending machines (shops may not be open for as long) and car park
  • Phone list (if you’d like to tell people right away)
  • Car seat to take your baby home. Practice putting in/out car beforehand!
  • Maybe keep a book/magazine in the car in case you have to wait in the car until after mother’s initial assessment (This is a ‘new’ thing which started during the COVID-19 pandemic. Not all hospital trusts will still operate that way. Ask your midwife/trust to check).

I hope this list is useful for some of you and please if you have anything to add or adapt contact me and I’ll add it to the list!

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Birth Partner Hacks

Birth Partner Hacks

Birth Partner Hacks, 5 simple hacks all birth partners should know about!

Are you a birth partner? You are not sure where to start when it comes to supporting the birthing mother/person? Maybe you feel like you don’t know where to start? You would like to know more about how to support your partner during labour and birth?

Here are some Birth Partner Hacks to get you started!

Birth Partner Hacks
Hip Squeeze Childbirth
Movement Childbirth
Slow Dance Childbirth
Shake Apple tree Childbirth a birth partner hack
Effleurage childbirth Hacks for birth partners

💜 The Hip Squeeze – a favourite of many birthing mothers/people

Put constant pressure on the hips during surges and push your weight into the birthing mother/person.

💜 Figure of 8 ball sit – some gentle movement

During surges, the birthing mother/person sits on an exercise/birth ball and moves their hips in a figure of eight pattern while leaning forward over the back of a chair.

💜 The slow dance – more gentle movement

Have a slow dance together. The mother’s/birthing person’s hips moving side to side. This will help you to find a rhythm in labour.

💜 Shake the apple tree – relaxes pelvic floor area

Touch the mother’s/birthing person’s thigh with both hands. Shake their thigh one at a time. Repeat for the other thigh. This can help to relax and release the pelvic floor to support the birthing process.

💜 Effleurage – light/gentle touch to engage the parasympathetic nervous system

This word means “gentle friction/touch.” Use both hands to gently sweep over the mother’s/birthing person’s body. This helps to engage the parasympathetic nervous system.

Would you like to learn more about childbirth and how to support the birthing woman or person during labour? Then why not hire a doula or book one of my workshops? I offer group and 1:1 workshops in Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire and Leicestershire. All my services are also available as an online/virtual format!

Contact for 1:1 services

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Baby Weaning – signs of readiness

starting solids baby weaning

Baby Weaning or starting solid foods with your baby. How do you know when, how and where to start? Where can we find some tried and tested recipes? Are we exploring baby-led-weaning (BLW) or are we starting our baby on purees first? So many questions new parents have with regards of weaning their baby.

The current recommendation (at the time of writing) is to start weaning your baby around 6 months of age.

starting solids baby weaning
starting solids baby weaning
starting solids baby weaning
starting solids baby weaning

Baby Weaning – Signs of readiness

There are (only) three true signs of readiness

Your baby…

  1. can sit up unaided and hold their head steady.
  2. puts things to their mouth accurately
  3. has lost their tongue thrust reflex and can swallow
Private Group Workshop Enquiry
Private 1:1 Workshop Enquiry

The golden rules – How to start

When introducing solid foods to your baby and during their first year of life follow these golden rules:

  • Offer simple and unprocessed foods – Make the main part of the meal of simple and unprocessed foods.
  • Offer natural foods – Your child needs to see & touch their food so that they can
  • connect food tastes with how things look and feel – this enables them to learn how to choose foods for themselves.
  • Let your baby get involved in the eating experience – Make eating a pleasurable, calm and relaxed experience. Eat together with your baby. Starting solid foods is not just nutrition it is learning and play, too!
  • Avoid ultra-processed foods – If there are too many ingredients on the label (5+) avoid giving it to your little one!
Private Group Workshop Enquiry
Private 1:1 Workshop Enquiry

Baby-Led Weaning or Purees?

Start introducing solids at about 6 months of age alongside breastmilk or infant formula. Your baby’s milk will still be the main source of energy and nutrients for your baby.

Whether to start off with purees, finger foods or a combination pretty much depends on your baby, your personal preferences and your life style.

Some babies will happily start off with finger and mashed foods, and may move on swiftly to a range of tastes and textures. However, other babies may progress
more slowly and start off eating smooth foods off a spoon. When spoon-feeding, offer foods they can hold themselves alongside, to encourage your baby to move on to mashed and finger foods.

  • Smooth foods have no big lumps, pips, seeds or skin.
  • Mashed foods are raw or cooked foods mashed to a slightly lumpy consistency.
  • Finger foods are raw or cooked foods shaped/cut into batons. It is best to cut them bigger than a baby’s hand, so that your baby can hold them more easily. Use your (adult) finger as a sizing guide.

Always pay attention to your baby when they are eating. Never leave them alone.

Private Group Workshop Enquiry
Private 1:1 Workshop Enquiry
Finger foods – tips for parents
  • Remove any pips, stones or stringy bits
  • Cut foods such as grapes, blueberries in half or quarters
  • Avoid nuts, popcorn and any hard-ish chunks of food
  • Stay with you baby when they are eating
  • Start off with soft and cooked foods such as vegetables and fruit
  • Wash your raw foods thoroughly

Learn more about weaning your baby

If you’d like to learn more about weaning your baby, book a starting solids (weaning) workshop with me! I offer the workshop in different formats:

1:1 (up to two adults with their baby/babies) or group (up to 8 adults with their babies). You can book these in-person to be held in Scarrington, Nottinghamshire at my home or I can travel to your home with a 10-mile radius of Scarrington/Bingham. Alternatively, I also offer a online live video course option.

In addition to the traditional starting solids workshop, I also offer a live online cook-along version. This is available online and as a 1:1 format only.

Private Group Workshop Enquiry
Private 1:1 Workshop Enquiry
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How does hypnobirthing work?

How does Hypnobirthing work and what is the difference between hypnobirthing and mindful hypnobirthing?

Hypnobirthing is a method to help women and birthing people to keep calm during pregnancy and childbirth.

There is not much research around hypnobirthing available. However, from my experience of giving birth to my four children and supporting families since 2010, I would encourage any family to explore hypnobirthing.

So how does hypnobirthing work? Do you have to be a Hippie?

Hypnobirthing [Hypnosis] works with the power of suggestion. Your practitioner works with you using affirmations, visualisations and suggestion to help you [the birthing mother/person] to relax your body and mind, guide your thoughts as well as control your breathing. Your practitioner does not need to be present during the birth, but you’ll have to practice your techniques thoroughly to fully benefit from them and for hypnobirthing to work for you!

You can learn the techniques during an in-person workshop, or online in a group or a private 1:1 setting. Some parents chose to simply do a self-paced online course or read a book.

Benefits of Hypnobirthing

  • Alternative for anyone who is looking for a non-medical pain relief method
  • Can be used alongside medical and other pain management methods
  • Non-invasive
  • Accessible to anyone who practices
  • No adverse health outcomes / side-effects known
  • Inexpensive
  • The skills learnt are transferrable

Disadvantages of Hypnobirthing

  • Learning the techniques takes time and effort and requires practice
  • The language used in a hospital setting may disrupt the hypnotic state
  • Not provided by the NHS
  • Not everyone can afford a workshop or practitioner
  • Families [mostly first-time parents] have reported that their relaxed state was misinterpreted by medical professionals [midwives] at arrival at the hospital and seen as not ‘far along enough to stay’.
  • May not meet your expectations
Hypnosis + Mindfulness = Magic

WHAT IS HYPNOBIRTHING?

Hypnobirthing is a range of hypnosis techniques to help keep you calm and relaxed during the birth.

Why is being calm and relaxed during birth so important?

Well, it’s pretty basic. Our survival instinct makes it important!

Naturally and instinctively, all mammals – including humans – have a fight or flight response when in danger. So when we are scared or anxious our bodies produce stress hormones to help us deal with the situation. Some situations will require us to run and act quickly and the stress hormones help us do so. These protective stress hormones (including adrenaline) block any non-essential systems such as our digestive system and raise our blood pressure and heart rate. Our blood is diverted away from our brain, uterus etc. into our legs and arms.

Adrenaline, while it is a life-guard hormone also slows down labour by inhibiting the hormone oxytocin…

Oxytocin is the hormone of love, labour and lactation. It gives us uterine contraction but also clouds our perception of the intensity. Your natural oxytocin makes you feel better, happier and let’s your body-own pain killers (endorphins) thrive, too.

Nobody wants to give birth in an uncomfortable or unsafe environment

The way our body responds to the environment around us is rooted in the basic survival instinct that we used thousands of years ago. Of course we all know know that your midwives and other healthcare professionals won’t hurt your baby, but we are still ‘triggered’ by the ‘strangers’ in the room and/or the unfamiliar environment. These triggers make us feel out of control and maybe unable to birth our babies without fear and pain taking over. Hypnobirthing techniques aim to deal with your anxieties around childbirth, and to help you create a ‘safe place’ inside your head that you can retreat to at anytime. Other techniques include the toning down of unwanted sensations and thoughts.

What is Mindful Hypnobirthing?

Mindful Hypnobirthing was first introduced by Sophie Fletcher in her book Mindful Hypnobirthing. Sophie Fletcher was the first to combine Hypnosis with Mindfulness for Childbirth.

Hypnosis

Hypnosis is the being in a state of consciousness in which one seemingly loses the power of voluntary action. Furthermore they are highly responsive to suggestion or direction. The recipient is always in control of how deep the hypnosis goes and will only accept suggestions/changes which they are willing to make.

Mindfulness

Mindfulness is a state of mind where you are aware and live ‘in the moment’. You are paying attention to the here and now. Your awareness is in the present moment while you are calmly acknowledging and accepting your feelings, thoughts, and sensations.

Mindful Hypnobirthing combines both self-hypnosis as well as mindfulness techniques to enable you and your partner to have an empowered, calm and positive birth experience. I am offering 1:1 mindful hypnobirthing sessions online and in the comfort of your own home.

Mindful Hypnobirthing in Bingham and online with Tina Gibbs
positive birth affirmations
positive birth affirmations
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Pregnant again

pregnant again

Congratulations! Being pregnant again is especially challenging when the next older child is still very young. Having a toddler and being pregnant can be very hard work! You are of course tired because you’re pregnant but also, you cannot nap in the day as easily. The best thing for you and your family in this situation is to accept help. If you are lucky enough to have family or friends offering to look after  the older one(s), take it! If your older one(s) is/are in school or nursery, rest when you have some time to yourself.

When and how are you going to tell your older child or children?
Well, everyone is different. Some parents tell their children as soon as they know, others like to wait longer. There is no right or wrong. Sometimes it depends on the age of the older ones. If you have a toddler to explain the situation to, it might be a good idea to get a baby doll for them. They can then explore how to treat a baby and get used to the idea of having a baby around.
There are some things you can do to prepare yourself and your toddler or child for the new arrival:

  • If you are thinking of moving older siblings to new rooms, it may be easier for them if you do it before the new baby arrives. They may be less jealous if your new baby was not the most obvious reason. Maybe saying you are moving to a big-boy/girl-room now…
  • A new baby could give older siblings (especially if they are very young) a present to start off on a good note 🙂
  • Maybe you’d like the older sibling(s) to get involved in packing your birth bag?!
  • Think about who would be able to look after older siblings, while you are pregnant and need a rest, when you give birth and for the early days
  • Only because you feel like you don’t give your second child as much attention as you did your first one, that does not mean that you are less attached to one or the other.
  • It is okay to sometimes use the TV or other electronic devices to keep the older child or children occupied while you are resting and once your new baby is born 🙂
  • Eat healthily and get plenty of fresh air and sunlight that will help with the tiredness, while you have to limit your caffeine intake.
  • Look after yourself and remember to take folic acid from the time you start trying to conceive and until at least 12 weeks of pregnancy.
  • Practice your breathing and relaxation techniques for labour and birth daily.
  • Try to gently exercise / go for a walk regularly; this will keep your energy levels up!
  • Maybe you’d like to watch some birth videos with the older sibling(s). I suggest that you watch them by yourself first and then choose one or two to watch together. I have created a library of birth videos. There is even a section of other mammals giving birth!
  • You can also book a private 1:1 antenatal session with me for you to prepare yourself and your partner for the birth. In addition to that, I have my lovely Mamamor dolls, which I can use to demonstrate vaginal as well as caesarean birth to children or adults (see demo videos below).

If you are pregnant again and your previous birth was traumatic, it may be beneficial to speak to a doula or perinatal educator who is trauma informed. A non-jugemental approach to your new pregnancy and birth experience to help you to achieve a positive birth experience this time round. My wonderful colleague Sheryl (@simplynatal) calls it your Healing Birth.

You’ve got this!!

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A-Z of self-help during childbirth



How to be more comfortable during the birth of your baby or babies? Here are 26 things to try… Your A-Z of self-help during childbirth. Have a look through the images, try out some of the things below at home and see how they make you feel. Pick and chose, write your own. Your body, your baby, your birth!

Here are some of my suggestions

  • Aromatherapy: A strong anchor, that increases relaxation and comfort, reduces anxiety and supports the birth process.
  • Breathing Techniques: Focus on your out-breath, deep breathing. Deep breathing = more oxygen for your baby. Soft, relaxed lips = soft relaxed pelvic floor.
  • Candles: and/or dimmed soft lighting in the room can increase the sense of privacy, comfort and safety.
  • Doula: Emotional and practical support. Information giving and signposting. Supporting informed-choice.
  • Endorphins: Your body’s feel-good hormone and one of your body’s own coping mechanisms for discomfort or pain.
  • Fan: It is often very hot in a birthing room. A fan can provide you with some welcome air and coolness. Why not add a drop of your favourite aromatherapy oil to it?
  • Gas & Air: 50% Oxygen and 50% Nitrous oxide (laughing gas). Quick acting, self-administered and popular during childbirth – at least in the UK
  • Hypnobirthing: Improves satisfaction with the birth experience. Whether you are planning a home or hospital birth, vaginal or caesarean birth, either way, hypnobirthing helps you stay in control. Focus on what you can control.
  • Imagination: Imagine your safe place, imagine your baby moving down the birth canal or being born by caesarean birth. Imagine you melt an ice cube with your breath….
  • Joke around: Jokes and a sense of humour are highly recommended during childbirth. After all, you cannot be tense if you’re laughing!
  • Knees in heels out: Opens and increases the space in your pelvis, making it easier for your baby to be born. On your knees, move your knees together and your heels out. In a squat, keep knees parallel to your hips and feet/toes pointing forward.
  • Loo: Empty your bladder every 45 – 60 minutes to optimize available space for your baby to be born.
  • Massage: Massage can help you relax. The double hip squeeze offering counter-pressure may help you be more comfortable during the birth.
  • Nourishment: Have some food and drink available. Keep hydrated and eat while you feel like it to keep your energy up.
  • Oxygen: The deeper and calmer you breathe, the more oxygen will be circulating to your baby but also to your uterus. The uterus is a muscle and works more effectively when well-oxygenated.
  • Pause: Sometimes you need to pause for a moment. To reset your energy and re-focus yourself.
  • Questions: Question what you don’t understand. Question why your healthcare provider suggests xx and ask for more information and/or alternatives.
  • Relax: The more relaxed you are, the easier, quicker, more comfortable and more enjoyable your birth will be.
  • Shower: The gentle trickle or stronger stream of water over your belly can be soothing during childbirth.
  • Tens Machine: Provides an element of control, and some distraction and helps to stimulate your body’s endorphins.
  • UFO: Upright, Forward and Open (pelvis) positions are beneficial for the birth process.
  • Vocalize: Make some noise. Deep belly or abdominal noises use your diaphragm. This can be beneficial for the birthing process, especially during the ‘pushing’ stage. You may sound a little bit like a cow… moooooo….
  • Waterbirth: Submerging your belly in water such as a birth pool is very soothing and a well-known form of pain management during labour and birth.
  • Kisses: Kisses, hugs, touch, being close to a loved one… These things help your body release oxytocin. Oxytocin is the hormone of love, labour and lactation. Beneficial for birth, breastfeeding and bonding!
  • You: Your body, your baby, your choices, your birth! Make informed choices for you, your family, your birth and your journey into parenthood. This is about YOU!
  • Zzzzz Sleep: Doze off in between contractions. Even easier when you have an epidural…

See my @tinagibbsgb on instagram for more info on each of the suggestions.

If you would like to write your own, here is a free template (see the four designs below)!

This and many more top tips are included in your self-paced online childbirth preparation course!

Please also check out my online course! No videos, just text and images to learn in your own time. Includes hypnobirthing mp3s, scripts, workbook, handouts, infographics and much more! Lots and lots of information at your fingertips! Includes:

  • hypnobirthing mp3s
  • hypnobirthing scripts
  • written information
  • infographics and other imagery
  • printable handouts
  • printable workbook/journal
Enroll now
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Teaching about breathing techniques for childbirth?

Most antenatal education formats virtual or in-person, include breathing techniques for childbirth. There are a range of different techniques used by different organizations or private facilitators.
Breathing techniques are well known for being helpful in stressful situations and to help people relax. 


Harvard Health Publishing says: “Relaxation techniques: Breath control helps quell errant stress response”. Therefore, breathing techniques may be an excellent option to help mothers and birthing people to stay calm and relaxed during labour and childbirth.

As birth workers we know it’s important, we know it works (when practised) and most parents-to-be have heard about it, too.  However, when I facilitate antenatal education classes, I often get eye-rolling from some parents-to-be when introducing the topic, especially when I ask parents-to-be to join in and give it a go. Therefore, I have come up with a fun activity, that parents-to-be can practise within their couple during the class and at home.

Fortune-Tellers/cootie catchers to practice for labour and birth! 

You can find my fortune tellers here:

You can print all of my activities on standard A4 paper. Every time I have used any of these fortune-tellers with pregnant parents and their birth partners, they were a great success! Parents enjoy playing with the fortune-tellers and reviving some childhood memories at the same time.

Come and visit my TPT store!

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What is a labour beadline?

A labour or childbirth beadline is such a lovely way to keep track of special moments! It’s a collection of often colourful beads strung together on a strong fishing line or similar thread. You can get creative by using different-sized beads to represent contractions and breaks; some folks even choose different colours or use both! I personally enjoy working with wooden beads, but really, any material can work beautifully. I love using shiny new beads along with pre-loved treasures from broken jewellery or charming finds from charity shops. #labourbeadline #labourbeadlines

Labour beadline for childbirth education

How do I use a labour beadline?

Labour beadlines are a fantastic way to create a visual and tactile learning aid of the stages of childbirth/labour! During an antenatal class or a doula 1:1 you might invite your participants to label the different stages and even chat about the variations they notice. Adding pictures of positions and self-help tools along the timeline can spark discussions about the best techniques to try at each stage.
For those teaching students who are visually impaired, using these beadlines serves as a wonderful tactile teaching aid in your classes. Just imagine how effective it can be to use different-sized beads to represent contractions versus breaks!

labour beadline childbirth education

​What do the beads mean? 

Each larger bead, or those of different colours, stands for a contraction. The smaller beads at the beginning stand for mild contractions and will appear in an irregular order initially. As we progress, the gaps or breaks between these beads will shorten, and the contractions will become stronger, shown by larger beads. Knots or specially shaped rigged beads symbolize the transition phase. A larger special bead, like a heart-shaped one, beautifully represents the birth of the baby, while a smaller special bead at the end stands for the placenta.

labour beadline childbirth education

When can I use a labour beadline?

A labour bead line is a wonderful resource for use in large groups, smaller gatherings, or one-on-one sessions. When working with larger groups, it can be advantageous to set up two or three labour bead lines, allowing parents-to-be to explore, interact with, and engage in hands-on learning. I’m pleased to share that most of my labour bead lines are designed with accessibility in mind, making them particularly suitable for visually impaired parents-to-be, as all the contraction beads are larger than the pause/break beads!

Where can I get a labour beadline?

You can absolutely create your own labour/childbirth beadline! It takes just 1-2 hours to design one, and if you prefer, you can also check out the ready-made options or even order a customized one from my website. We have a variety of lovely labour beadlines available for both singleton and multiple pregnancies. If making your own sounds like fun, I also offer…

  • labour beadline kits with everything you need to start beading!
  • Lesson plan how to incorporate your labour beadline or beaded childbirth timeline in your classes.
labour beadline kit childbirth education

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New baby sleep arrangements… Moses basket? Crib? Cot?

moses basket to cot bed size comparison

When you have a new baby, deciding on sleep arrangements can be challenging. Where will the baby sleep? What type of bed fits in our room? How long can they use that bed? Will a Moses basket be suitable? Can twins sleep in a bedside crib? These are important questions. A cot bed is often the best value since babies can use it until they are toddlers, lasting about 4 years. However, cot beds are large and may not fit alongside your bed.

A Moses basket is small and easy to carry, so it doesn’t take up much space in the living room or bedroom. However, most babies outgrow it before six months old. Parents then need to find another sleep space in their bedroom, as it’s recommended for babies to sleep in the same room as at least one parent for six months.

A crib is a little bigger than a Moses basket and sturdier and should last you for the 6 months.

A bedside crib is a little bigger again, well, wider at least and is a great Moses basket alternative for co-bedding twins.

A cot is big enough and so is a cot bed. Just depends on whether either of them fit into the same room as you and your bed

moses basket to cot bed size comparison
Size comparison moses basket to cot bed

For most up-to-date sleep recommendations and advice, please visit the Lullaby Trust and BASIS Online.