A new project from the charity WaterAid has revealed what women from around the globe pack in their maternity bags. From a razor blade to cut the umbilical cord to plastic sheets for the hospital bed, these photos show the startling contrast of birthing essentials around the world.
Takako, Japan
Her bag includes: baby clothes, an insurance card, consent forms for hospitalisation and blood transfusions, a mother-and-child health record, a patient’s registration ticket, maternity shorts, bra and toiletries.
“When I gave birth for my first child, I had to take diaper, baby wipes, maternity shorts and my pyjamas, but this time at a different hospital those items are all included in the hospitalisation fee. It would be helpful since I do not have to worry about washing my pyjamas.”