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Some thoughts
regarding packing your bag: Pack early! Get a jump start on
packing 4-6 weeks prior to baby’s due date…who wants to be wildly
cramming things into a bag with one foot out the door on the way to
the hospital, hoping you didn’t forget anything? You may
consider putting together a “mini” bag of a few toiletry essentials
and comfort items to leave in your car…dozens of women go to their
healthcare provider late in pregnancy for their weekly exam, only to
find themselves admitted to the hospital with nothing but the
clothes on their back and the items in their purse. The following
list contains suggestions of what to pack…use it as a
guide…include in your own bag that which you truly think you will
want/use.
For Woman, During Labor
-
Towel or
waterproof pad for on the way to the hospital
-
Hospital
paperwork (hopefully already on file)
-
Copy of birth
plan, if desired and not already on file at hospital
-
Your own
comfortable clothes, nightgown or bathrobe if desired (expect
these to get stained)
-
Non-slip socks
and/or slippers
-
Ponytail
holder/headband
-
Contact lens
kit and back-up glasses
-
Prepared
Childbirth ~ The Family Way workbook for ideas re: labor
positions and pain management strategies
-
Massage
oil/cream
-
Body
wash/calming scent for in the shower/bath
-
Lip balm
-
Music
-
Focal point
(favorite picture or item that brings comfort)
-
Tennis ball,
rolling pin or other massage tool
-
Your own
favorite pillow (with colored pillow case) – plan to keep this at
the HEAD of the bed!
For Partner During
Labor
-
Sweater/sweatshirt
-
Snacks to
maintain energy level
-
Cash/change to
buy food (see above)
-
Cell phone for
making long distance calls to friends/family
-
Phone card
-
Watch w/
second hand for timing contractions
-
Camera(s)
For After Baby is
Born
-
Comfortable
pajamas
-
Relaxing
outfit
-
Wearing home
outfit
-
Nursing bras
and breast pads, if planning to breast feed.
Hint:
Nursing bras
should be one size larger than that which you are wearing at the end
of your pregnancy
-
Your own
sanitary pads (You may or may not like using those supplied by
hospital)
-
Change of
clothes for partner
-
Your own
medications
-
Toiletries for
woman and partner
-
Baby Arrival
Phone Tree!
-
Baby’s going
home outfit
-
Baby blanket
and hat
-
Car seat
-
Additional
film for camera
-
Music
-
Journal
-
Envelope for
ID bracelets and other hospital mementos you may want to take home
with you
-
Extra baby hat
or blanket to put in baby’s hospital bassinet, then take home
ahead of time to family pets to help introduce them to baby via
his/her scent
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