What you need

For the birth

• Sterile gauze swabs 10/10 (10 pieces)
• 2 packs of maternity pads
• 10 disposable absorbent underpads
• maternity mattress protector (white)
• 1 umbilical cord clamp
• 1 bag of cotton wool
• 1 bottle of 70% alcohol
• soap
• 2 buckets
• bin bags

Many of the items above are in the maternity pack (kraampakket), which you can order from your health insurer, depending on your insurance. If your insurance does not provide the maternity pack, the items are available separately from the pharmacy and chemist.

For the baby

• 1 digital thermometer
• 12 washed and ironed cotton (muslin) nappies
• 2 seamless metal baby hot-water bottles
• sterile gauze swabs 16/16 (10 pieces)
• Weleda Wecesin powder (optional)
• Vaseline
• a wrap or shawl
• a baby hat

Ready from 37 weeks

Your bed

From 37 weeks your bed must always be raised to 70-80 cm (whether you give birth at home or in hospital). Bed blocks and a (blue) waterproof mattress cover are available from 37 weeks from your local home care shop or your maternity care organisation. It is advisable to put a waterproof cover on your mattress at the end of your pregnancy to protect it from amniotic fluid. Your waters may break while you are lying in bed.

Your bag

Make sure a bag is packed and ready from 37 weeks, even if you want to give birth at home. It should contain:

• Everything you and your partner need for an overnight stay (toiletries, clothes, slippers)
• Baby clothes size 50-56 (always including a hat and a little jacket)
• Health insurance card, hospital sticker (if you have one)
• Phone number of your maternity care organisation
• Camera/phone
• Important phone numbers
• Car seat (in winter, bring it straight to the delivery room)
• A coin for the wheelchair (€0.20 or €1)