{ Sponsored } What’s in my maternity hospital bag

Okay, so I know I said I’d keep you all updated on the pregnancy, but in the end I decided it just wasn’t for me.

The main reason for this is that I was finding all the information overwhelming, and though that, actually, by writing about my pregnancy every week I would just add to the bumf. So instead I’ve decided to write my views and experiences post baby – this way I feel I’ll have a better grasp of the journey as a whole. Also, as my friend, Chereen from For The Beauty Of It, pointed out, I’m going to forget what I went through. All the mums I speak to honestly can’t remember the symptoms and little events throughout their pregnancies, and although this seems unlikely to me now, I know it will happen to me too, so having it documented will be nice.

But that is a post for another day. As I sit here, I’m 48 hours away from delivery, and am focused on the next few days rather than the last 9 months.

Today I’m going to chat about what I’ve packed for the hospital. I’ve partnered with Cetaphil* for a series of blog posts, as, quite fortuitously; they’ve just launched their much-anticipated baby range. Those of you who’ve read Rouge for a while will know I’m a huge fan of their Restoraderm Skin Restoring Body Wash (I won’t shave my legs with anything else) and their Restoraderm Skin Restoring Body Moisturiser, which is a staple in my body care routine.

I’m having an elective C Section on Friday, so will be in hospital for 3 nights. I believe that each birth is different, and that each mum should be able to decide what she wants to do with her body. There is literally no right or wrong way – I know there are a MILLION opinions on this matter, but actually the only one that matters is that if the person going through it.

I chose to go this route, as I find it the less stressful of the two options, and I think that being able to be calm and collected is more useful to my baby than having a natural birth, which I don’t think I would cope well with. I also have faith in modern medicine, and prefer the controlled nature of the procedure over the natural option.

For myself, the hospital has told me to pack maternity pads, those sexy stretch bandage tights, breast pads, nipple cream, face cloths and essential toiletries. This is obviously besides clothes, which I won’t bore you with.

Maternity pads are for the inevitable dispelling of all the afterbirth fluids. Unpleasant, but far better out than in. The sexy stretch bandage tights are to keep said pads in place, as well as protect the wound.

Breast pads are for leaky nipples – although, from what my lactation nurse said, I probably won’t need these in the first three days (I’ll let you know).Nipple cream is self-explanatory.

And face cloths are for the intimate bathing sessions I’m going to get to have with my nurse!

As far as toiletries go, I’m just going to pack my Oskia Renaissance Cleansing Gel, Bioderma HydraBio Riche Cream, La Roche-Posay Thermal Spring Water, a tube of Elizabeth Eight Hour Cream, soap and my toothbrush and toothpaste.

For the bubs, I’ll be packing nappies, wet wipes, surgical spirits and cotton pads (to clean the umbilical cord), Vaseline, bum cream, clothes and the new Cetaphil Baby Gentle Wash and Shampoo for her first bath in hospital and the Daily Lotion. All of these will be stored in my gorgeous Lou Harvey Sophie Blue Nappy Bag (on sale at the moment here). I’ll do a full review on this once I’ve used it for a while – but my sister has loved hers through two boys, and has just bought another for a friend of hers, so it comes highly recommended.

Both of the new Cetaphil products are paraben and mineral oil free and contain no animal derived ingredients. The wash is also soap free, which means the delicate skin barrier will remain intact and her skin won’t be stripped of its protective oils.

I’ll keep you posted on what I think of the new launches once I’ve had a chance to try them on her, but based on their existing products, I’m sure they’ll both be winners.

That’s it for now, I’ll chat to you guys AD (after delivery), and let you know how it all went.

• This post contains content sponsored by Cetaphil, but as always, I only partner with brands I truly love and believe in.