I usually get myself all prepared by Week 38.
So if there are any last minutes things to be done, I would have about 2 weeks more to get them ready. But please note that this is due to the fact that I have birthed 5 babies and know that generally, my babies usually do not come early. If your babies usually make their appearance at or around Week 38, then you may want to get everything ready by Week 36.
Packing for the hospital Generally if you had a vaginal birth, you would stay at most 2 nites and 3 days. If you had a c-section delivery, you would stay at most 4 nights and 5 days. But this is not carved in stone. You can always request for an early discharge if there are no complications and your doctor is agreeable to it. And don’t worry about packing too little, your husband or any other family or friend can always bring what you forgot to bring!
Do call ahead and ask the hospital what they provide and at what cost. Different hospitals and different room combinations provide different things.
I would suggest getting your bag ready towards the end of the 37th week unless you have had some early signs that your baby is wanting to come out earlier! Or if you are just plain excited!
For mom
Pyjamas – I recommend wearing long pants for the nites. Not only can the air conditioning get cold in the night, it is also more modest! You don’t want to worry that your nightgown has ridden up when you are woken up in the nite to nurse the baby! Also there is a tendency to leak through your pads, even maternity ones, during the 1st 2 nights so dark colored pants will help to conceal any stains.
Other clothes – Do bring decent clothes to change into. And especialy if this is your 1st baby, there will be lots of visitors! You don’t want to look sloppy as you greet family and friends!
I also do not like the look of the hospital gowns provided by some hospitals. Makes you look like an invalid! Childbirth is a joyous occasion, worthy of celebration. Why would anyone want to look like a invalid?! I want to look happy and radiant!
I suggest bringing nursing tops with either skirts or pants. This allows you to :
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a) practice nursing with it and
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b) be able to meet visitors modestly even if you have to feed the baby. It is rather rude to have your visitor waiting for an uncertain amount of time while you nurse the baby. No need to hide behind the curtains – well unless you are trying to avoid that particular visitor! Lol!
Please remember that even though you have birthed the baby, you will not lose all your pregnancy weight immediately! So please do not bring your pre-pregnancy clothes and hope to fit into them! I know there are some women who can but honestly, these are far and few n between! Your maternity pants/skirts would serve you well in this instance.
Undergarments – You may want to consider buying disposable panties since there will be lots of leaking. Then you won’t have to bother about washing them.
Maternity Pads – Do bring your own set of maternity or night pads. You will have to pay extra if the set provided by the hospital runs out! I much prefer buying my own anyway.
For me, I needed the night pads for at least the 1st week when lochia is heaviest. Then I proceed to normal pads. I have used cloth sanitary pads with much relief. Due to chaffing, I cannot use disposable pads for longer than 1 week. So I only use them when going out only. At home, I use my own home-sewn* cloth pads.
Nursing bras & pads – 2 to 3 nursing bras would be enough. As for breast pads, mature milk usually does not come in till Day 3 and so I usually do not need any nursing pads to catch the let downs while in hospital. But, to be safe, you may want to bring 2 pairs to stand by.
During the early days when the letdowns are heavy due to the body adjusting to the amount required by the growing baby, I prefer to use disposable breast pads. I have personally found the Pigeon brand most comfortable and absorbent. I dislike Mothercare and TollyJoy. Very “pokey” and itchy!
Usually by the end of the 1st week, I would switch to cloth breast pads. Cheaper and much more comfortable in this hot and humid weather of ours! Just make sure it is washed properly and sun dried.
For commercial breast pads, I have tried a few brands and so far I like Avent best. But you will have to test and try out a few to decide what suits you best. I have also sewn* a few of my own that have worked very well for me.
* Details on how to sew your own pads and breast pads will be put up soon. If you need it urgently, please email me at buildingupmoms@gmail.com
Toiletries – This is personal. If you have sensitive skin and can only use a particular brand of soap/shampoo, then you will have to bring them along. If you wish to put on light makeup then you would have to bring them along too. So think ahead and plan and write it down! You may have to bring your own body and face towel.
You may also wish to bring along a pair of Slippers. Whether you are in a single room or a 4-bedder room, the toilet floor is going to be wet. You don’t want to be traipsing in and out in your bare feet – eeks!
Another Thing…
I benefitted much from drinking lots of Red Raspberry Leaf Tea (RRL) in the last trimester of my 4th pregnancy. I bled a lot less in terms of number of days (just over a week) and quantity as well.
When I “cheated” and drank less for #5, I bled a lot more and for a longer period too. So this time round, I am back drinking more RRL tea and will be bringing with me my stash to drink after birth as well.
It works by toning the uterus (some ladies find that it shortens labour but it didn’t do that for me!) and by helping to reduce post partum bleeding.
I bought mine from Moms In Mind. You can buy it at any organic store. I have seen them sold at Plant & Planet and at Brown Rice Paradise. I believe you can even get them in capsule form inplaces like GNC or Nature’s Farm if you dislike its taste.
For baby
Going Home Outfit – Some hospitals provide a going home outfit while others don’t. Call and ask ahead of delivery. Baby just needs 1 going home outfit. Most hospitals will provide a basic infant top during baby’s stay in the hospital.
Mittens & Booties – If you want baby to wear mittens and booties, then you have to pack 1 pair each.
Blanket – The hospitals that I delivered at provided a going home blanket. But if you want baby to be swaddle in his special blanket, then you will have to bring your own.
Diapers – The hospital package will provide 1 pack of newborn diapers for baby’s stay in hospital. It usually is more than enough. But if you are cloth diapering and want to do it from the start, you will have to bring your own stash of diapers.
I hope this is informative enough. As mentioned, there are loads of stuff out on the internet and baby books. So go and read up and do your own research.
And remember – enjoy your baby!
Don’t forget to check out Preparing for Baby’s Arrival – The Home Edition
*** Post Updated July 2017 ***