Whether you wait anxiously for your due date to arrive or your C-section date to arrive, getting ready for the big Delivery Day is exciting and a little bit nerve racking especially if this is your first baby.
So to help makes things a bit easy, here is your to-do list for things to pack for the hospital before the big day arrives. Remember to have a bag packed with these things in advance and waiting by the front door to go at a moment's notice.
Things for Mum
Pyjamas, slippers and dressing gown. Also, think about what you are going to give birth in a strange thing to think about obviously if you are going for a water birth, then probably nothing.
Toiletries. You will probably want to have a shower at some stage after giving birth. Remember to pack fragrance free things if possible, as your new baby will be very sensitive to scent and it's important that your baby smells you, not Chanel #5. Forget perfume and deodorant if possible, but don't forget toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, shampoo, conditioner, comb and a brush.
Lots of underwear. After you give birth, you bleed a lot and leakage is common, even with maternity pads, so pack more underwear than you would normally use. Some women choose to use disposable underwear, and note that if you are having a C-section, there is special underwear available, which are super stretchy to avoid any pressure on the cut.
Maternity pads. There are many types of maternity pads'regular, extra long, etc. Stayfree and Kotex are good brands.
Breast pads. Once again, lots of brands to choose from. Johnsons, Rite Aid, Pigeon, Avent, Dr Browns and Chicco are just a few worth mentioning.
Nursing bra. Remember that your breasts will grow after childbirth with the onset of milk production.
Clothes for going home in.
Makeup and hairdryer. Originally the domain of celebrities, many women these days want to look like a yummy mummy post birth and have a glam photo of themselves with their new baby' posting it ASAP on as many social media platforms as possible. And let's face it's who wants to look tired and worn out next to their cutsie new bundle of joy? (even though you will probably feel that way after labour and childbirth). Finish off your look with freshly blow dried hair and a nice nightgown.
Camera/phone + charger. These are to take a zillion photos of you and your new baby and text them to more people than you actually know. Oh, a piece of photo etiquette advice: don't send pictures of giving birth, umbilical cord cutting, etc, as 99.99% of people are just not interested (yuck) especially grandparents.
Things for Baby
Hospitals should provide baby essentials during the hospital stay, such as nappies, gowns, bottles, etc. but be sure to check with them first. Also, have a few backups. For baby clothes, go for a nightgown in size 0000 (newborn size), some little booties to keep little toes warm, and a singlet. Also, a going home outfit and a baby blanket/rug or something similar to wrap your new baby in when leaving the hospital.
