What Do You Take With You In Your Hospital Bag?

From the moment you get the   The most important thing to prepare is your hospital bag. In it you have to do everything necessary for the birth and your stay in the hospital. 

What do you take with you in your hospital bag? Here comes a list of the things no mother-to-be can be without when the time of delivery comes. Note and don’t forget any of this:

Checklist for your hospital bag

• An ID with your photo. This can be your identity card or driver’s license. Make sure you have all the papers needed for hospitalization.
• A duster or dressing gown, slippers and socks.  In most hospitals you will be given some sort of vest to wear after the birth but it is better to have your own clothes with you. This will probably make you feel more comfortable and at ease, and you won’t have to worry about stains. Everything you bring with you should be spacious and comfortable in case your blood pressure needs to be measured, blood drawn or other routine tests are needed.

• Something to help you relax. This could be music or a book or anything that distracts you and can relieve the stress the moment your baby signs up.
• Toiletries. You’ll probably need a towel, soap, and other personal items if you’re going to be in the hospital for a longer period of time. Don’t forget to bring your toothbrush and toothpaste, deodorant, face cream, shampoo and everything else you need.
• A nice warm, soft sweater or cardigan. Hospitals are not the warmest places! It’s a good idea to have something warm with you, also to protect you from the wind when you leave the hospital.
• Maternity Underwear. Don’t forget to put a nursing bra in your hospital bag. These bras are specially designed for breastfeeding with special lining and padding. With a regular bra you could leak milk on your shirt and that feels really unpleasant.

Even more for your hospital bag checklist

• Something to pin or tie your hair together. The best is a rubber band because pins can be uncomfortable and can hurt you.
• A mobile phone, with a charged battery and all the contacts and phone numbers you need. After all, you never know when you need to contact someone urgently. It is useful to have all the phone numbers you may need to store in your phone.
• Plenty of underwear. After the birth, it is likely that you will need to change your panties often. Go well prepared with 2 or 3 sets of clean underwear to avoid accidents.

• Clothes for when you get out of the hospital. Carry extra clothes in your hospital bag for when you go back home. Maternity clothes made for around the 6th month of pregnancy are best, in case your belly is still a little swollen.
• Clothes for the baby. In addition to your own things, your hospital bag should of course also contain everything your baby needs. Think of  a romper, socks, a blanket, diapers, a hat and baby toiletries.

Also maybe useful to take with you:

Depending on the circumstances of your pregnancy, you may want to carry some of the following items in your hospital bag:

• An extra pillow. Many women have trouble sleeping without enough pillows. If you know you belong to this group, bring your own pillow so you can rest well.
• Extra clothes for your partner. Many women will have to spend a few nights in the hospital after giving birth. If someone is staying with you overnight, it’s a good idea to have some clean clothes on hand for them. That way, they don’t have to go looking for it at the last minute.
• A camera or camera. If you want to record your birth on photo or film, make sure you take a good camera with charged batteries in your hospital bag. This way you will have the necessary equipment at hand to immortalize those moments that are one-off (even if you already have a child) as a beautiful memory.

An important thing to remember when packing your hospital bag is  not to bring   your favorite outfit. Anything can happen and clothes can be spoiled easily.

Bring things you don’t mind losing and remember that they can get stained if something goes wrong. If you wear glasses, make sure you have them with you: you may need them.

Also consider the weather around the time you will give birth. If your due date is in the winter, make sure both you and your baby are well wrapped up against the cold.