Packing your Hospital Bag(s) |
It is well worth the extra effort to plan three bags for the hospital. One for labour and one for after labour and one for Dad!. Keep the after bag in the car and have your husband or coach make a switch while you are heading for the maternity ward after your delivery. Make sure you have your Health Card and Hospital ID on you at all times. You never know when you will go into labour. Having your bag packed in advance and with you if you work far from your home is also a good idea.
The Labour Bag
You don't know how long you will be in labour, taking some things to help near the end is as essential as making sure you have some things to help you pass the time.
- A Baggy T-shirt for those walks down the halls of the hospital (no bum showing!)
- Warm Socks for your walk and for during labour
- Hot Water Bottle
- Deodorant
- Tooth Brush & Tooth Paste
- Baby Powder
- Lip Balm
- Focal Object if that is your chosen method of concentration
- Books, Magazines etc..
- Suckers for you (sugar free are best, those with sugar can cause you to be thirsty)
- Anything else your prenatal class has or does recommend.
- iPod or other MP3 Player for listening to
The After Birth Bag
Most hospitals are cutting back. Take things you think they may have so you are not caught short (better to take them home than to send your partner to the store at midnight)
- Brush/Comb
- Toothbrush & Toothpaste (floss)
- Shampoo and other hair products (you wont have much beauty time so just what is necessary)
- Deodorant
- Nursing Pads
- Sanitary Pads (super absorbent and long work best)
- Nursing Bra (most hospitals will size and sell you one, this is a good idea for a great fit)
- Underwear (several pairs.. not the nice ones!)
- Bathrobe
- Nightgown (if you want, but you may find that you don't want to stain your good night clothes)
- Slippers & Socks
- Diapers (a few anyway, some don't supply them to you!)
- A selection of things for the babies home coming (diaper, outfit, sweater, hat, ... depending on the season)
Dad's Hospital Bag
Most new parents don't realize the wait that is often experienced from the time you get to the hospital to the moment your little one arrives. To help dad enjoy his time here are a few things you should throw into a bag so he will be comfortable too!
- Camera and Batteries (an extra memory card as well, if you have a digital camera)
- Insurance information and any pre-registration info required by the hospital
- Change of Clothes (sweater/t-shirt/socks too!)
- Quarters for the pay phone (or phone card)
- Phone List (be prepared by having chosen people do some of the calls for you when they get the news.. dad will want to be with mom and baby). Believe it or not you can forget someone important if you don't make a list. This will be a very exciting time for you.
- Food-Dad will be hungry and may not want to go to the cafeteria (or it may be closed). Select non-perishable and foods that are not strong in odour, you don't want to upset mom's tummy!
- Toiletries (deodorant, soap, toothbrush etc...)
- Headache medicine (Dad may get a tension headache and most hospitals will not give a father medication)
- Books, magazines, deck of cards
- Don't Forget Your Wallet (most parking lots cost $$- check to see if your hospital offers a weekly pass, this is usually less than paying daily)
