Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Packing for the hospital

It is suggested that you pack a suitcase before going into labour.  Different sources will tell you slightly different things and what you actually bring will vary from person to person.  Here are some of the typical things most sources recommend:
  • Copies of birth plan
  • Comfortable clothes like sweat suits
  • Nursing bras
  • Slippers, socks
  • Several pairs of underwear
  • Soap, shampoo/conditioner, toothpaste/toothbrush
  • Music
  • Partner's swimming trunks (for helping you in the shower during labour)
  • Food/snacks for your partner
  • Sleeping items for your partner, if he/she is staying the night
  • Sanitary pads
  • Camera
  • Baby clothes, blanket for going home
  • Car seat (best brought in the day you leave)
I think there are a lot more things to bring and it's probably best to be safe and pack more, in case you end up having to go through surgery and staying longer at the hospital.  You could always ask your partner to grab things for you from home, given that you don't live that far from the hospital.  However, since I am the main homemaker, it's probably easier and more efficient for me to just plan and pack everything we could possibly need now.  Now, you don't want to look like you are about to go on vacation by showing up at the hospital with 2 check-in luggages.  In fact, the staff at the hospital do stress that storage space is limited and we should only pack a small bag.  So we'll try to keep things to a minimal and pack efficiently so that we can fit as much as possible in our little bag :)

Here are things you may also want to pack:
  • Coins for parking
  • Insurance info so that you can bill your semi-private or private room
  • Hair brush or comb, hair tier
  • Chap stick or lip gloss
  • Hand lotion, face moisturizer
  • Massage tools that you have practiced with
  • Refillable water bottle
  • Phone numbers and phone card
  • Battery charger, extra memory cards for your camera
  • Prenatal vitamins
  • Breast-feeding cream for nipples
  • 2 diapers
  • iTouch or watch
  • Juice boxes, celebratory drink for after the delivery
  • Plastic bags for dirty laundry
  • Going home outfit for yourself
  • Baby-on-board sign
  • Book(s) to read
Did I miss anything?

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