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Hospital bag for baby. What to pack for abirth?

Once we find out we’re pregnant and the excitement passes the overloading of information starts. It can be extremely overwhelming and stressful especially if you’re a new mom. From the time you start showing that cute baby bumps everyone including strangers will start giving advice.

My mom gave the best advice ever. “Listen, nod and say thank you I’ll remember that. But if it sounds like horse poop and smells like horse poop it probably is, thank advice with a pinch of salt”. What she means by this is what worked for everyone won’t necessarily work for your child. People are not presuming you’re clueless most really just want to help and share in your happiness, take it as a compliment.

And so your research begins. Ask yourself questions it’s the only way to clearly think and realize what you need.

Here are a few basics: Ziploc bags and a sharpie have become your new best friend.

A copy of your birth plan: (Marked zip-lock bag title “BIRTH PLAN”:

A few basic notes that will communicate to your midwife or doctor what type of care you ideally prefer. (Now hopefully everything goes according to plan, but sometimes it doesn’t). Having two sealed bags with a birth plan and medical history in it will ensure that if things go to plan it’s only a checklist. But if it doesn’t you can focus on yourself while your birth partner or the Medic (hoping this doesn’t happen, but it realistically does).

A birth plan consists of what you plan for your birth, pain management and alternative options you would prefer if your ideal birth not is able to take place.

Keep it sweet, short and bullet-pointed. A lot of printable checklists are available. Find one that suits you and adjust it to your needs.

Medical records and history: (Also mark this “MEDICAL HISTORY”):

Get a copy of your basic medical history. In this bag, you want to place a copy of your identifying information. Make a copy of your driver’s license and identification that applicable in your country. A copy as well as the original medical insurance card. Add a black pen in this bag for all documents you will need to complete in the hospital, it goes faster-getting everything completed by having one on hand.

Most importantly a clear list of medical conditions and allergies.

In a perfect world we hope to never need an emergency bag but look at it this way … you’ll need most of this if everything does go to plan so if it’s in the bag already when an emergency happens all you need to do is tell someone to open the bag and everything will be alright.

**MAKE A COPY AND PUT IT IN YOUR HANDBAG – BETTER SAFE THAN SORRY RIGHT?**

The dreaded medical supplies bag:

Don’t worry too much about this most hospitals pharmacies will sell a pre-packed back with the suppliesthe nurses will need to take care of you. All you need to do is add additional pads (they never add enough).

Should they not have this available ask for a list of what they need, the doctor, hospital or maternity ward should have this on hand.

Husbands or Birth partner bag:

Comfortable shoes – he might be pacing a bit.

A change of clothes, toothbrush, and deodorant.

Watch with a second hand to time contractions.

Swimwear, if you want to join the mum-to-be in a birth pool.

Phone, phone charger camera or camcorder.

For the actual birth (natural or C-Section:

Dressing gown

Slippers

Socks

An old nightdress or T-shirt to wear in labor

Massage oils or lotions

Lip balm

Something to read or watch

A hairband and brush

Toiletries

For after the birth and hospital stay:

I found it easiest to roll up my clothing underwear and pajamas in one roll. Makes it easier to manage what goes where. I also placed a small amount of money inside a sock that should I need to buy a cold drink I had some cash on hand but it wasn’t much. My bank withdrawal card was in my toiletries bag.

Going-home outfit

Breastfeeding bras/sports tops with built in bra’s that easily can

be slipped off your shoulder

Baby formula and bottles for if you choose to not breastfeed

Breast pads and nipple cream

Nightdress or pajamas t least 3 sets

Toiletries

Towels, hairbrush, toothbrush and toothpaste

Old knickers/cheap knickers/disposable knickers

Ear plugs (in case you end up on a noisy ward)

Arnica tablets (may help with bruising)

For baby:

No baby is the same size! My daughter wassupposed to be a prem size she came out at 3.326kg. Sp pack at least 2 prem baby-grow of stretchy fabric on top of the normal 0-3 mth clothes.

Infant car seat

One outfit for the trip home. All-in-one stretchy

outfits are best cute one’s are when your home and people visit

Baby blanket (one thin and a warm one if weather is cold)

Nappies at least a full bag and baby wipes

At least three sets of clothes rolled up together (socks/booties, hats, baby grow stretchy and a vest to keep their chest warm)

Two Dummy/pacifier if you choose to give little one one

Jacket or snowsuit for winter babies

Muslin squares / Swaddling blanket

Leave a diaper bag with clothes, wipes, and nappies in the going home car so you have it on hand

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