It has been nine months. A time spent nurturing your body and unborn baby, buying layettes and infant necessities, and decorating the nursery for the arrival of your beautiful child. You might feel anxious and restless, the excitement building up as that Big Day approaches! I certinaly did, when I had my baby daughter a year ago. There is just one last thing you must tend to: packing a hospital bag.
After all the other preparations through the long months of waiting, and now dealing with the aches and fatigue of late pregnancy, you might feel that packing a hospital bag is a daunting task. You also might be wondering: “What exactly do I need to bring to the hospital?”
So your coworkers and friends told you to bring a teddy bear and a camera… but what will you really want during that stay?
Here is a tried and true list of the real hospital bag necessities, spoken from someone who has been there: a mom like you!
1) Sanitary Pads: Let’s get right down to the real deal. After labor, you will be experiencing lochia, a heavy bleeding as the uterus lining, mucus and tissue are dispelled from your body. This is completely natural and may last anywhere from a couple weeks to a couple months. You will need to use super-absorbent sanitary pads during this time. (Note: Do not substitute tampons; they can cause infection). The bleeding will be very heavy right after labor, so make sure you bring these in your hospital bag!
2) Two or more pairs of comfy undies: Even with the sanitary pads you may have leakage, so be prepared with extras!
3) Hemorrhoid Cream: What? Hemorrhoids? Not exactly… many women end up having a routine incision (episiotomy) done during labor to allow for passage of the baby. You will then have stitches and a temporarily very sore perineum. My doctors recommended hemorrhoid cream applied to the area to assuage the pain and keep stitches from drying. (Pssst… you’ll be glad you packed it!)
4) Snacks: You probably tossed a granola bar or two in the hospital bag. But let me stress that you will have gone through hours of hard labor, which will leave you dehydrated, weak and in need of serious nourishment. If you have your baby at night, like I did, you might end up with a closed hospital cafeteria – and the M&M;’s from the vending machine just won’t cut it. Pack energizing, healthy snacks in your bag and maybe some juice or water to drink. Plan on being the hungriest you have ever been in your life… yep, even more than when Baby was in there!
5) Toiletries: Bring shampoo, body wash, a bath sponge, facial cleanser... whatever it is you usually use at home. You will really want a nice, warm shower sometime after labor, and the hospital soap (if they have any) won’t be anywhere as nice as the stuff you have. Don’t forget the toothpaste, hairbrush, and your towel.
6) Lip Balm: So simple; yet you will be so glad you have it in the dry hospital air.
7) Warm clothes and socks: A hospital gets cold at night, especially when you have post-pregnancy chills. Make sure you pack in your hospital bag a robe, warm socks, slippers, and a blanket if you like. The robe will also come in handy while you walk the halls or fetch Baby from the nursery (who wants to walk around in a hospital gown?).
8) Entertainment for Dad: While you are going through the long hours of labor, daddy will be sitting right there with you. But even the most attentive of husbands is going to get bored some time. Make sure daddy has something to take his mind off his concern for you: a book, a handheld game, crosswords – anything he usually enjoys can go in your hospital bag. If he can get a little more relaxed, so will you.
9) Phone numbers: Pack a list in your hospital bag containing the phone numbers of people you want to call after baby is born. You might find that the numbers will slip your mind; and having a list will remind you not to forget your special Aunt.
10) A notebook and pen: You might think you will have little time for writing. But if you are like me and enjoy recording events to remember, toss a small notepad and pen in your hospital bag. “Mommy-brain” will soon make you forget unless you write the details down. Baby will enjoy seeing the notes mom made of his or her arrival!
11) Roomy outfit for going home: We all would like to envision ourselves stepping out of the hospital in style! But don’t pack the old pair of jeans and halter top just yet. Although Baby will be born, it will take you a few months at least to get back to your old size. You will need to pack something comfortable and roomy in your hospital bag, perhaps even your maternity wear.
12) Makeup: If you use makeup, even just concealer or a little mascara, by all means bring it along in your hospital bag! You would be surprised what a great pick-me-up it is to have a little color. Bring the perfume too, if you like. (Baby will like it too!).
13) Baby’s going home outfit: Pack the outfit you want for Baby in your hospital bag. You may want something simple (onesie) or something special (nice dress). Include things like a hat, mittens and blankets to swaddle. Also keep in mind that most hospitals participate with a special photo company and a photographer will offer to take Baby’s first photo during your stay. You might want to have an outfit ready in your hospital bag for that purpose.
14) Car seat: This is not exactly for the hospital bag, but don’t forget it! Not only is it best for Baby’s safety, hospitals will not let you take Baby home without it.
15) Camera: Last but not least, pack a camera in your hospital bag, and make sure you have extra batteries or film! You will love looking over those special first moments for a lifetime.
There you have it: a comprehensive list of the essential things you need in a hospital bag. You can also bring things like diapers or formula; but keep in mind that the hospital will supply those for you, too. It would be a good idea to pack the hospital bag a few weeks ahead of time and store it by the door, or perhaps in the car, so you will be ready to go. If there are any things you might have to pack last minute (toothbrush, for example) write a short list and pin it to the hospital bag so you don’t forget.
