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.
Cathelijne, UK, but from the Netherlands
Her bag includes: clothes for herself and baby, nappies, lots of snacks, an e-reader, an iPod, a water bottle and a camera.
“I packed comfortable things for myself, the baby does not need much when its born. I know they have everything at the hospital, but you have to ask for them so it is easier to bring them. The most special thing in the bag is the hand knitted blanket my aunt made, my mother bought the yarn and my aunt knitted it. It was the first thing I found to pack.”