I am now 33 weeks and 2 days pregnant and weeks ago I could not help myself watching YouTube videos and reading articles about what to put in my hospital bag. I have come across multiple lists and it got me panicking to have those things right away. You know it is my first time and I am the kind of person who wants things to get done ahead of time. I went to the baby store many times and shopped for who knows what just to ease my mind.
Until last week during my prenatal check-up, the nurse handed me this list of things to prepare. I was actually thinking of asking her that list but she already did it before I could.
And to my surprise, I only have to prepare three things.
Things I need to prepare
- my maternity and childcare booklet
- medicines prescribed to me as outpatient (which I don`t have)
- underwear (during my hospital stay which would last for 5 nights 6 days for normal delivery and 10 nights 11 days for caesarian delivery)
- baby`s clothes upon discharge.
I said three although the list is four because I don`t have any prescribed medicines. The list was in Japanese, of course, but the nurse was very nice to encircle the things I need to bring. The rest in the list are either lend or provided by the hospital.
Things handed by the clinic
- toiletries: toothbrush set, soap, cup, hairband, hair tie (rubber), cotton swab
- slippers
- mug cup
- birth set: pads (small, medium, large), menstruation shorts and front-opening shorts, breast band, breast pads, gauze handkerchief (5 sheets), disposable cut belt, chest treatment set (for baby), baby wipes cut cotton (for baby)
- baby swaddle
- mother`s bag
Things I can use in the clinic
- pajama, gown
- bath towels, face towels, guest towels
- shampoo, rinse
- baby underwear, diapers, nursing supplies
- hairdryer
- tissue paper
- chopsticks, forks, etc.
Before I got this list from the clinic, I already partially prepared my hospital bag.
What`s actually inside my hospital bag (partial list)
- maternity underwear ( a lot)
- robe
- pajama
- my outfit upon discharge (tentative)
- toiletries (soap, shampoo, conditioner)
- maternity pads and breast pads (took them out since it is provided by the clinic)
- husband’s change of clothes
- baby`s outfit upon discharge (also tentative)
- empty file folder for hospital documents
I still feel unprepared and I am thinking of changing my bag from a barrel bag to a small suitcase for ease of handling.
I still have to decide what to wear coming home from the hospital, both for me and baby. I am thinking of something matchy-matchy or terno. 🙂
I am still looking online and in our closet as well.
I don`t know.
Sooner, I have to finalize this.
The suitcase is still in front of me right now while I am writing waiting for me to transfer the things from the barrel bag. I am wondering why, if I only have to bring three things, why a suitcase? :-/
For sure, pregnancy brings us, women, a lot of mixed feelings – excitement, worry, anxiety, excitement, and excitement. 🙂
For those who already experienced childbirth, what was in your hospital bag?