Mother and Bairns Boxes (360G-SCVO-a0g0N00001gAR2BQAW)

The funding will be used to give 250 women throughout Ayrshire a mother and bairns box. The box includes the following: a nightdress, breast pads, maternity pads, shower gel, shampoo, deodorant, toilet bag, slippers, toothpaste, toothbrush, pants and lip balm for the mother. The bairn's box will have items that are not included in the Government box; cardigan, nappies, wipes, baby bath, shampoo moisturiser, baby oil cotton wool, hair brush, sponge and muslin squares. These vulnerable women who received a mother and baby box would normally have been socially excluded as they did not have the funds to purchase the necessary toiletries required for going into hospital. The difference the Mothers and Bairns box made to the mother was huge. Gone are the worries about how she is going to manage to purchase the items, thus relieving mental anxiety and stress. The health visitors and midwives tell us that the pregnant women lie about having forgotten their toilet bag, when clearly there was no toilet bag in the first place. As well as relieving mental anxiety the Mother and Bairns box also relieved social anxiety. The mother has the same essential items as other mothers giving birth in the labour ward. The Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation shows that almost a quarter (23.9%) of the datazones in Ayrshire are among Scotland's 0-15% most health deprived; we believe our boxes give a good start to new mothers and their babies. A final benefit to vulnerable, pregnant women is the health benefit that comes with the provision of hygienic products which allows her to look after herself as well as her baby.