Packing for the hospital can be overwhelming. There are a lot of items you’ll need to pack for your loved one, and hospital stays might affect them in a variety of ways. You’ll want to do everything you can to prepare your loved one, and one of the most important things you can do is make sure they have everything they need. By the time you’ve finished reading, you’ll understand exactly what to pack and why, ensuring that you and your partner are prepared when the time comes.
In this article, we’ll discuss everything you need to know about what to pack in hospital bag for mom, including the different ways your loved one can be affected by hospital stays.
Why Should I Pack for the Hospital?
Having the right stuff for a hospital stay is important whether you are a patient planning for a hospital stay or someone whose loved one unexpectedly finds themselves admitted in a hospital. Childbirth is one of life’s great mysteries for those who have never experienced it. There are stories about the wonderful, even blissful, ecstasy that women feel when giving birth. On the other hand, there are horror stories of situations that are tiresome, agonizing, and downright unpleasant. The most important thing most moms sought throughout their hospital stay during childbirth is comfort. Packing the right items will make mom’s stay more comfortable and allow them to concentrate on their recovery.
Different Types of Hospital Stays
It’s useful to be aware of the various ways you can be admitted to the hospital so that you can plan your stay. There are various types of hospital admissions depending on the reason for your stay, including:
Emergency (unplanned)
During a medical emergency, you will be transported by ambulance to the hospital. You can be taken to the emergency department by private car if the situation is urgent but not immediately life-threatening. If further treatment is needed, the emergency staff will inform you. It may take some time for a hospital bed to become available for an unplanned admission. In some cases, you may need to be transferred to another hospital for treatment. In the meantime, you will be treated at the emergency department.
Overnight or extended (planned)
Maternity (planned)
When you are admitted for maternity care, your maternity department will send you a patient information package explaining what to do when your labor begins. The first step usually involves notifying the maternity department that your labor has begun. When you get at the hospital, proceed to the reception desk if it’s a maternity hospital, or speak with the maternity department staff if it’s a general hospital, to let them know you’re there. A midwife will assess you and admit you to a birthing room if your labor has progressed sufficiently or if complications have occurred.
Day procedure.
Once you arrive at the hospital, you will have to check in at the reception desk, where you will have to fill out more paperwork and pay for any out-of-pocket expenses. A member of the nursing team will then show you to the pre-operative area where you will be interviewed for admission.
What to Pack for the Hospital
The hospital’s childbirth preparations may include those given by the hospital. Facilities provide different items and services than normal hospitals, clinics, and midwifery hospitals. Confirm ahead of time what to pack in hospital bag for mom and bring in, as well as what the hospital will provide, so that your luggage does not overflow. Hygiene products such as puerperal shorts, puerperal pads, baby wipes, disposable diapers, and navel care kits are common items provided by the hospital.
Make a list of what to pack in hospital bag for mom and what you will need during and after childbirth. New mothers often don’t know what to bring with them when giving birth. Speak with your senior mom and ask for her advice. The pregnancy hospital bag should include materials that are required for hospitalization, such as clean underwear and towels. There will be items for you to use while you are in labor, items you need immediately after birth, and items when you leave the hospital. A carry bag or a travel bag that can hold luggage for 2 to 3 nights is recommended for the hospitalization bag.
Don’t Forget the Essentials
Here are four things you should remember for your admission processes before you go to the hospital:
- Identification Card
- Maternal and child health handbook
- Health insurance card
- Medical examination certificate
- Birth Plan
Other items that will be useful throughout your stay in the hospital:
- Mobile Phone with charger
- Glasses and contact lenses
- Snacks and water
Comfort Items
When we’re expecting a baby, there is so much preparation to be done. As we prepare for the baby’s arrival, we also want to ensure that the labor and delivery process will be an enjoyable and comfortable one for both mother and child. When preparing what to pack in hospital bag for mom for a hospital stay during labor and delivery, we need to include many essentials. We also need something that makes us feel relaxed during labor and delivery so we feel comfortable. Clothes and toiletries are essentials, but so
is something that helps us relax.
- Comfortable socks
- Slippers
- Camelback water bottle
- Lip Balm
- Pillow
- Entertainment
- Music
- Essential oils
- Eye mask and earplugs
Nursing Bra and Panties
It is a good idea to bring extra underwear regardless of the length of your stay. The hospital can provide you with mesh underwear, but if you want to wear your own, bring them with you. It will be needed for immediate postpartum procedures. When you arrive at the hospital, you will be instructed to give it to the nursing staff prior to delivery so that they can be placed shortly after you give birth.
- Postpartum underwear
- Nursing bra
- Postpartum shorts
- Postpartum pad
Toiletries
Toiletries are items that are frequently provided by the hospital; nevertheless, it is OK to bring your own to ensure that you have all you need. Although makeup is not required, because skin dries out quickly, it is a good idea to have some basic cosmetics on hand.
- Toothbrush set (toothbrush, toothpaste, toothpaste cup)
- Hair care set (hair band, hair elastic, hair brush)
- Bath set (shampoo, conditioner, body soap, body towel)
- Basic cosmetics (facial cleanser, lotion, milky lotion, lip balm)
Clothing
When you’re about to give birth, one of the last things on your mind is what to wear during your childbirth. Nonetheless, it is something that must be considered in terms of comfort and convenience. You may now buy clothes designed specifically for childbirth. They are designed with comfort and convenience in mind.
- Maternity Labor and Delivery Gown
- Nursing Maternity Nightgown
- Maternity robe
- Pajama
- Birthing wraps
Conclusion
Hospital stays after birth usually last between 24 hours and four days. If you have complications, your stay may be longer, and if your baby is preterm or you’re in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) for other reasons, your baby’s stay might be longer than yours. Aside from having a checklist of what to pack in hospital bag for mom, it is also important that you estimate the quantity of each item you will need to pack for your hospital stay.