Your wait is over! Only a few more weeks to go and finally you will be having your baby in your arms. You have taken care of yourself and your baby to have an easy delivery. Now that your baby is on its way to enter the world, you need to start your packing to the hospital and should be ready anytime. Even if you intend to have a home delivery, it is always better to pack your essentials as you might have to rush to the hospital, if required. You have pack different stuff for your partner, labor, post delivery stay and the baby. So, plan accordingly. We have compiled below some necessary stuff to help you pack.
1. Things to carry for labor
a. Plan and notes
Take your maternity notes and birth plan. This would be helpful as you can follow the plan and make the doctors also aware of your details.
b. Clothing
You will have to pack in your dressing gown so that it will be useful if you are in hospital because of early labor and also you will need one later, that is after the delivery. Also carry your socks, an old nightdress or a loose, comfortable t-shirt, and a pair of slippers.
c. Other necessary things
You can carry some essential cosmetics like lip balm and moisturizer. Some snack and drinks can keep you full and help you relax. Don’t forget your toiletries. Also take along some books and a music player that will keep you occupied. Take a music player which has batteries as the room may not have a plug.
2. For your birth partner
As birth partner, you would be accompanied with the mum-to-be to the hospital and you would be allowed to stay.
a. Clothes and footwear
You will have to carry a couple of clothes to change while you are in the hospital. A swim wear would be a good idea if you want to relax in the pool, if hospital has one. You will also require a pair of footwear which are comfortable enough.
b. Things to make the mum-to-be comfortable
As the caretaker, you need to ensure that the mum-to-be is comfortable. For this you can carry a water spray or a hand-held fan to cool the mum-to-be when she is having a difficult time dealing with her labor pains.
c. Other required things
Also carry things like a digital camera to take home sweet memories, address book or a list of contacts and also carry cash including change, if you might need at any moment.
3. After child birth
You may have to stay some days after your delivery, so pack up some stuff for post delivery stay.
a. After delivery clothing
Carry a home going outfit so that you are comfortable in the hospital and also while you are going home, nursing pads, breast pads and a couple of maternity pads.
b. Carry your own toiletries
You will need your own towels, hairbrush, toothpaste and a toothbrush and your toiletries.
c. Other important things
Carry your own snickers which can be old and cheap and specially which are comfortable to be worn over your scar.
4. For your baby
Don’t forget to carry things for your new born:
a. Baby’s clothes
Carry your baby’s clothing like couple of sleep suits, baby blanket, nappies, pair of socks or booties, jacket, muslin squares and a hat.
b. Space in your car
Make an infant car seat as some hospitals won’t allow to carry the baby without one.
Sometimes you might forget some things. Don’t panic. This is the time to relax. And don’t forget help is always near by your loved ones or the hospital staff.
