As I approached my due date, the latest prenatal appointment revealed my baby was the size of a cantaloupe and heavier than most toddlers. With this knowledge, I realized that I could go into labor at any moment, so I set out to prepare my hospital bag.
First on my list were essentials like my phone and charger, toothbrush, toothpaste, lotion, deodorant, and hairbrush. However, I quickly recognized that I need these items daily, so I took them out of the bag.
Next, I packed a cozy oversized hoodie, some slipper socks, and a pair of XXL sweatpants that I had bought specifically for post-birth comfort. Those sweatpants looked inviting, so I put them on along with the hoodie.
I then considered packing snacks in case hospital food didn’t meet my expectations. I grabbed granola bars, crackers, chocolate, and a bottle of water but worried about them going stale, so I ended up eating the granola bars right away.
For some downtime, I thought about bringing reading materials: What to Expect When You’re Expecting, parenting magazines, a sudoku book, and some Oprah-recommended reads. However, reflecting on my last experience, I realized that most of my downtime was spent napping or negotiating with nurses for pain relief. I decided to leave the heavier books behind and only kept Us Weekly.
Feeling the urge to indulge, I contemplated eating the chocolate to prevent it from melting in my bag. I also added items to help me relax during labor: aromatherapy candles, soothing music on my iPod, and massage oil. However, my partner reminded me that I was scheduled for a C-section, which meant some of those items would be unnecessary.
I made sure to include my insurance cards, ID, and some cash for the upcoming doctor’s appointment, where I half-expected to be told that my baby is now the size of a watermelon. I put those back into my wallet.
As I munched on crackers from the bag, I realized I needed an outfit for my baby to wear home. I found a cute sleeper, but it had a small stain on it, prompting me to search for another option. Ultimately, I loved that first outfit too much to part with it, so I decided to wash it instead. I guessed I would need to wash my sweatpants too since they now had chocolate and cracker crumbs on them.
I then searched for my camera to capture those precious newborn moments, but I couldn’t recall the last time I actually used it. I normally dislike how I look in photos, but I knew I’d want to document my baby’s early days—unless she ended up resembling Hume Cronyn in Cocoon. Though I didn’t find the camera, I did discover more chocolate.
So, if my water breaks tonight, my hospital bag will contain:
- Slipper socks
- Us Weekly
Being prepared is essential.
For more insightful tips on preparing for motherhood, check out our post on the at-home insemination kit. If you’re interested in fertility testing, Understanding Cycle Day 3 is an excellent resource. Additionally, if you have questions about fertility insurance, visit this helpful guide.
In summary, packing for childbirth can be a whirlwind of excitement and anxiety. It’s important to remember the essentials while also considering comfort and relaxation during labor. Each item you choose for your hospital bag should help prepare you for the journey ahead.