Pack your hospital bag in preparation for the impending labor and delivery, hospitalization, and postpartum recovery — as well as for your newborn and your partner.
Pack all your labor, delivery and postpartum essentials for your hospital stay in your hospital bag - as well as items for your baby and spouse. As your due date approaches, start packing your hospital bag as early as 35 weeks. Here are some essentials for the whole family, whether you're having a vaginal birth or a cesarean section. .
As you prepare to welcome your little one into the world, make sure you pack all the essentials in your hospital bag. These essential items should include items for your intake, labor and delivery, and recovery - as well as items for your newborn and your spouse. Friend. In addition to all of this, be sure to bring a few masks for you and your spouse because you'll need to wear them during labor, delivery, and the hospital stay.
Current hospital guidelines state that your husband can accompany you throughout labor, delivery and hospital stay. Exceptions include if a doctor or medical staff needs to perform certain procedures or if you are receiving general anesthesia for a planned or emergency cesarean section. However, for public hospitals, your spouse may not be allowed in the operating room even during an elective cesarean section, so check with your hospital about their procedures. Next, your husband can also stay with you during your hospital stay if you stay in a single room or more. Also, be aware of the current visitor limit. Only two people can visit you at a time and in some hospitals this is limited to five people for the duration of your stay.
What the Hospital Offers
Reduce packing for your newborn by checking what the hospital postpartum bag contains.
Most hospitals provide disposable underwear, a package of maternity pads, towels, and nursing-friendly hospital gowns. Of course, you can also request any pain relievers, stool softeners, and other medications to aid your recovery. Check with your hospital what they offer so you can tailor your hospital bag packing list accordingly. Depending on the area you are in, you may also be able to pick up
Get a personal hygiene kit.
Labor & Delivery
Remember to capture your baby's birth with your cell phone or camera.
You may need to pack two bags - one for giving birth and the other for your hospital stay as you recover. Some items you may want to bring are a signed copy of your birth plan, music you can play during the birth or while you wait, a charging cable, and a list of people to call or text after the baby is born. You may also want to bring some socks, lip balm, and a sweater for your support person if it's cold.
Your Hospital Stay - Personal Items
Keep your skin looking its best even when you're in the hospital with Skin Inc.'s line of skin care products.
Other items include a robe or wrap to wear when entertaining guests, nursing sleepwear if you want, and slippers. Additionally, you'll want to bring daily skin care products, basic makeup, a toothbrush and toothpaste, and other travel-sized toiletries. Dry shampoo can also be a great option, as can hair ties and combs. You will also need to bring comfortable clothes and shoes for the trip home. You may still look six months pregnant, so choose maternity clothes — like what you'd wear to the hospital — instead of your pre-pregnancy clothes. For recovery, you can also add comfortable cotton underwear and sanitary napkins or maternity pads. Keep yourself warm by wearing an extra sweater or cardigan and socks.
Also remember your phone charger - get an extra-long phone cord - and a power bank. If you're a light sleeper, bring an eye mask and earplugs or noise-canceling headphones, especially if you're sharing a room with others. These will also come in handy for entertainment purposes, whether you're binging your favorite Netflix shows, podcasts, or just soothing music to help you fall asleep.
After giving birth, you may need help with constipation. Try these breastfeeding cookies from Singapore Lactation Bakes and Marian Lactation Boost (about $35 each), which are rich in fiber from oats and flaxseed meal. Additionally, these healthy snacks can also increase your breast milk supply. You should also pack your prenatal vitamins - or ask to get them at the hospital. Finally, bring eyeglasses instead of contact lenses when you're in the hospital.
Use a waist belt to support postpartum abdominal recovery.
To help with recovery, you may need a compression belly band, like this one from Belly Bandit. These Belly Bandits, like the Belly Bandit Bamboo, available in Natural or Black (now $98), help slim and support your belly, waist, and hips after birth. Furthermore, it also helps strengthen core muscles that have been weakened during pregnancy. Other benefits include promoting mobility, reducing back pain, and encouraging better posture, especially when breastfeeding. Additionally, the soft bamboo viscose is comfortable against your skin and gentle on the healing C-section incision.
C-section mothers
While the basic principles remain the same, choose high-waisted underwear so it doesn't cause damage to your C-section wound. A great option is the C-panty, with an integrated medical-grade silicone sheet that helps reduce itching and scarring, while also protecting your wound from infection. Also, bring or wear soft-soled shoes so you don't have to bend over to put them on - this helps reduce exposure to the incision.
Vaginal birth
Most of the items in this section target your perineal area. The items you will need are a perineal spray, a bottle of warm perineal water, witch hazel pads, and an ice pack. Take care of that area by washing it with warm water after you pee, then spray the area and wipe with a witch hazel pad or super soft toilet paper. Applying an ice pack to the area may also help relieve pain. The hospital should provide all of the above, but if you want a specific brand, you can bring your own. Additionally, you may want to purchase an inflatable donut-shaped pillow to ease the pain of sitting down.
Caring for Your Newborn
Breastfeeding
If you plan to only pump or need help figuring out how to use your breast pump properly, pack it in a hospital bag and get advice from the hospital's breastfeeding consultants. .
Another great item for pumping moms is the Hegen electric breast pump and accompanying bottle.
Whether you only pump or formula feed, you'll need to bring along a few sterile bottles and pacifiers. Mothers who bottle-feed their babies should also pack a carton of baby-friendly formula, although the hospital will likely have a few samples for your baby.
Pack for your newborn and your spouse
One of the most important things to bring for your child is a car seat. Make sure you have installed it properly before bringing your newborn home. Image credit: jamieqqwu
In addition to packing for yourself, you will need to pack some essentials for your newborn. These should include baby wipes, diapers, a few sets of rompers and overalls, burp cloths and wipes to catch saliva, and a baby blanket to wrap your baby in. Other accessories include socks, gloves and hats or beanies. Most importantly, you'll need a car seat for your baby's journey home (prices range from $269 to $699). If you are taking a Grab or someone is driving you home, take this with you the day you leave the hospital instead of leaving it in the hospital room for the duration of your stay.
If your spouse is traveling with you, bring one or two sets of pajamas, day clothes, underwear, slippers and a toiletry set. Also, bring some snacks, medicine or pain relievers, and some non-alcoholic and non-carbonated drinks. For comfort, he should also bring a good pillow to sleep on. If possible, ask him to bring home unnecessary items.