FASCINATING: Inside the maternity bags of pregnant women around the globe

Reckon maternity bag contents are pretty much the same the world over? Think again.

Fascinating new photos have revealed what expectant mothers in different countries pack prior to delivery day – and it varies wildly.

The photos are part of WaterAid’s ‘Deliver Life’ campaign to bring safe, clean water to newborns and their mums, and aim to highlight the differences between giving birth in the developed world and the developing world.

Sadly, some women have to provide their own plastic sheets and dishes for water to bathe in.

Mestawet from Ethiopia

“During my last few visits to the health centre, they also told us what to bring. So I brought with me a towel to hold and cover the baby with. That is all he needs for now,” she says. “For myself, I brought sanitary napkins, some underwear, sweatpants and a long loose dress, a pair of socks and a bottle of Mirinda [soft drink]. The Mirinda helps move your stomach as if to throw up, and it helps to turn the baby around so it goes out properly.”

Joanna from the UK

“I have nappies, little white clothes for the baby, some knitted trousers, lots of snacks, my clothes, my own towel, toiletries, a TENS machine, maternity pads, iPad, water bottle, medical notes, a blanket,” Joanna says. “The most important thing in the bag is the blanket my mum gave me to bring the baby home in, the same one my mother brought me home in.”

Chadla from Nicaragua

“I have my sheets, my towel, a sweater, and some cotton to put in my ears after giving birth. And something to tie my hair with,” Chadla explains. “The nurse told me to bring dishes to eat, soap to bathe and wash my clothes, and sheets.”

Katy from Australia

“I have toiletries, snacks ,nappies, hat, socks, mittens, clothes and swaddles for the baby, clothes for me, night dresses, maternity underwear, maternity pads and nursing pads, massage oils,” she says. “Even carrying the maternity bag is too heavy for me, I couldn’t imagine how I would cope if I had to carry 25litres of water over a distance. Physically I don’t know if I would be able to do it even before I was pregnant.”

Hazel from Zambia

Hazel has a baby blanket, cotton wool, sarong (chitenge), a baby suit, napkins, a dish for water to wash with, and a polythene roll to put on the delivery bed to maintain personal hygiene as there is not enough water and time to clean the delivery bed.

Tiff from the USA

“The only mandatory thing to bring to the hospital is a car seat to take the baby home,” says Tiff. “The rest are things to make my hospital stay more comfortable: my birth plan, pyjamas, flip flops and slippers, snacks, mother's milk tea (to help with breastmilk), and a cute outfit for the baby to wear home.”

Zaituni from Tanzania

“From my house I got sick and then my husband rented a motorcycle and then I was brought here. After reaching this hospital I came with my relative, all straightforward, taken to labour and then they started examining me,” Zaituni explains. “By the time I was brought here I was feeling so much pain. I carried a basin, a bucket and clothes. The baby has no clothes we are just wrapping the baby with this piece of cloth. These cloths, when they are dirty my sister takes them to the place where she fetches water so that she can wash them.”