Preparing a Bag for the Delivery Room and the Maternity Ward
Before the approaching birth, you should prepare two bags in advance - one for the delivery room and one for the maternity ward, for the days after childbirth. In addition to the items you need to pack in these bags, you should also bring items that can provide a more intimate, comfortable and pleasant feeling during labor, childbirth and your stay in the maternity ward.
What to pack in the delivery room bag
This bag will accompany you from the moment you arrive in the obstetric ER. You should pack items that you need, as well as items that will make you feel good:
- Pregnancy follow-up documents: pregnancy follow-up card and pregnancy folder that contains all tests performed, including last blood count, genetic tests, tests to detect infections during pregnancy, glucose tolerance test results, GBS test (if performed) and latest estimated birth weight of the newborn. The information is largely available in your online medical record and it is important that you make sure that you have access to it.
- Identity document: you must bring your I.D. as well as that of your partner. It is impossible to discharge the baby from the neonatal unit without the I.D. of the parents.
- HMO card: bring your HMO card with you.
- Bathing accessories: soap, shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, flip-flops that you can wear in the shower. It is good to fill the room with your favorite and familiar scents.
- Food and beverage: food and beverages for you and your companion. Fresh fruit, dried fruit, almonds, energy bars, mint candy, sour candy, gum. You should bring a personal water bottle.
- Accessories to use during contractions: closed bottle of almond oil, massage oils or extracts (delivery rooms in general have oils for the labor stage). Your playlist of songs or music for the delivery room - most delivery rooms have a speaker that you can connect to. Music you love can help you feel good in the delivery room.
- Additional accessories: mobile phone and charger, petty money, book or digital book, Sudoku, crosswords.
- Immediately after childbirth: a cord blood collection kit (if ordered), disposable underwear for use after the birth.
- Water birth: if your birth plan involves a natural birth or water birth, you should bring a bralette, a robe and a large towel, and a bathing suit for your partner, if the partner joins you in the water.
What to pack in the maternity ward bag
The second bag is intended for the time between your discharge from the delivery room and your discharge home. Hospitalization is generally brief so you will not need many items. It will also make it easier for you in the maternity ward and when going home. You can prepare the bag in advance before the birth and leave it in the car so that you do not forget it when you leave home for the delivery room.
- Supplementary bathing and cosmetics items: toothbrush, toothpaste, face cream, body lotion, hairbands, comb or hair brush, moisturizing lipstick.
- Towels: a bath robe or towel and a small face towel.
- Clothes: clothes for changing if you prefer not to wear hospital gowns, underwear. In addition, you should purchase by the end of the pregnancy, a nursing bra. Make sure it is not too tight since your breasts will engorge even before the actual birth. Dirty laundry bag.
- Feminine hygiene products: due to postnatal bleeding, many women prefer purchasing disposable underwear.
- Nursing equipment: nursing pads, nipple cream to soothe nipples and prevent cracking.
- Eyeglasses and contact lenses: anyone using contact lenses must bring contact lens fluid and storage case, eyeglasses and a case for eyeglasses.