What’s in Hospital Bag?
Having a baby is a lifetime experience; you have to do so many small things like setting the nursery, buying cots and prams, deciding on the baby clothes and of course nappies. Another important job is to install a baby capsule in the car and among doing all these things the nine months seem to fly away until one day you are ready to go the hospital and also a hospital bag.
Before going to the hospital another requirement that is to be completed is the preparation of the hospital bag. Having a list ready prior to setting the hospital bag is always helpful as you can easily forget anything important at the last moment.
So to avoid last moment hassle and missing things back home here is a guide of the items that would be needed in the hospital and is essential to pack in your hospital bag before you leave.
Hospital Bag Checklist:
Before delivery you will require these things in the hospital.
- Your medical papers, you will require all papers that are needed in the administration paperwork such as your Medicare card, birth plan, your private health fund card, any other related document that is necessary and a folder to keep them all safe in.
- A time passer, although some women get over labor very instantly and all is over with before they could even say “epidural”, however this is not the case with everyone. You may require staying in the ward for a day and you may require something to help you pass the wait. What could be better than a light reading book for you and your partner to relax and wait for the baby’s arrival.
- Snacks to eat, another time passing technique is to have something light to eat with you. Things like muesli bars, biscuits, juices, fruits and other light stuff that keep your energy levels up and can also be easily packed in your bag.
- Spare change, Although there is no need for big cash in the hospital however you may require some change for buying newspaper, extra food or any small thing that may be needed.
During the delivery you would require
- Extra clothes, you may need a pair of slippers or warm socks, some extra t-shirts can come in handy for you and your partner, your partner may require board shorts and don’t forget to keep a plastic bag as it may be needed to keep soiled or wet clothes.
- Camera, to make moments memorable for ever don’t forget your camera and its charger.
- Necessary toiletries, these items include moisturizer, lip balm, hair band to tie your hair, face washes and spray bottle to make yourself comfortable and a heat pack of your own may also prove handy.
After the delivery you may require
- Means to spread the news, your phone book and mobile phone should be with you so that you can spread the good news to the entire world.
- Comfortable after clothes, you would definitely want to wear something that looks pretty when you expect visitors and go home but here comfort is the key. A tracksuit pant with a loose fitted t shirt is an ideal dress for breast feeding moms in the general recovery phase. You would also require a couple of nursing bras and yes lots of underwear.
- Some more toiletries, any thing that is usually packed when you go for a holiday will be useful in the hospital, also you would require a hair dryer to dry stitches along with disposable breast pads, sanitary pads and lots of tissues.
- Baby clothes, normally hospitals provide nappies, singlet and wraps for the baby but you would want to keep some things of your own such as jumpsuits and blankets for the baby.
There are some things that are normally forgotten when you leave for the hospital according to Australian College of Midwives associate professor Hannah Dahlen, they are
- Your personal pillow, the pillows provided in the hospital are not very uncomfortable and having one of your own can help a lot in feeling comfortable.
- Eye cover to block the bright surroundings of the hospital at all time.
- Preferred tea or coffee brand to keep you fresh, many people do not accept the taste of foods and drinks available in the hospital.
Another word of advice is to have your hospital bag ready and packed fully by the 36th week of pregnancy as delaying it could mean going to the hospital without it. In such cases often an attended is sent home in a hurry to bring all the stuff and he returns with a bag full of wrong things. Often men find it hard to find things at urgent times so do not take a risk get the bag ready in time. So start getting ready when you notice some pregnancy symptoms and confirmed that you’re already pregnant!
