Written By: Debjani Arora | Updated : November 2, 2015 6:55 PM IST
While leaving for the hospital make sure you have your hospital maternity bag ready with you. Pack smart and don t get impulsive. Keep in mind that all those trendy and fashionable stuff can be left behind and all you need is only the bare minimal essentials. Here s your maternity checklist.
Things you would need when you reach the hospital:
1. Your medical files and records: You can t miss these; put them in your maternity bag as soon as you come back from your last antenatal check-up. Here are five things you should always ask about to your doctor during your antenatal visits.
2. Dressing gowns or nighties: Pack something which is loose and light. Your hospital would provide you with one but it makes sense to keep a spare in case you need to change if you are leaking and pacing in the corridors waiting to deliver. Get one pair as you would need to change into one post delivery too.
3. A light sweater: Keeping the climate in mind woolens can also get a place in your bag. If you are delivering in winters make sure you carry one, labour would be daunting and the chills will just add to your worries.
4. A pair of socks: Believe it or not even while you whine and cry in pain your feet will turn cold. This can happen even when the climate is pleasant. Ask your partner or the hospital staff to help you wear them. Pull it off, again turn for help, if you feel uncomfortable at any point during the active stages of labour.
5. Lotions and lip balms: You will be feeling dry often; moisturizers and lip balm are going to help you. You would thank yourself for having them handy post-delivery too. Opt for some home remedies to deal with some common skin problems during pregnancy.
6. Get your music: Your antenatal classes and meditation sessions would have provided you with all those garbhasanskar slokas that intends to calm your senses and your baby during the labour. Have them stored on your smart phones or MP3 players and listen to them when the going gets tough. Or just plug in your favorite numbers.
7. Snacks and drinks: You can t pull through the labour being hungry and it isn't advisable too. Have light snacks like fruits, nuts, and biscuits to keep you going. Health drinks can keep you hydrated too.
8. Flip-flops: Light and flat. These are easy to get in and out.
Things you would need post delivery:
9. Nursing gowns: If your stay in the hospital is prolonged then you might need four or five of them as you may not be able to get the laundry done. These gowns are easy to breastfeed in and handle too. Here is a step-by-step breastfeeding guide for a new mother.
10. Nursing bibs: If you are expecting visitors at odd hours and know that your baby s feeding times are not synchronized, use the bibs to keep yourself and the baby covered from public view.
11. Nursing bras and pads: You would term them as your best picks when you would know how convenient they are and how much they have saved you from the constant leaking of milk.
12. Maternity pads: Please don t miss them. In fact have two packs ready. You will need them soon after birthing to save you from lochia or post delivery bleeds irrespective of a vaginal birth or a cesarean section. Here are five things that you should expect after a C-section.
13. Comfortable underwear: Choose cotton and keep away your best ones. They are going to be messy so have a stock in advance. Preferably pick one size bigger than your need. In case of a c-section, the bigger ones won t rub on your wounds or come in the way of healing.
14. Pregnancy or feeding pillow: If you have invested in one during your pregnancy, get it. It will save you from the aches and pains during feeding and also otherwise.
15. Don t miss on toiletries: Ideally have a small pouch ready and tugged in your bag during the last week of your pregnancy. Have your tooth brush, tooth paste, hand sanitizer, paper soaps, face wash, dry and wet tissues, deodorant and toothpicks ready. Take a big towel for sponge and a small one for other uses.
16. A change to get home: Now you might be all excited for your return but don t invest in any new dresses or outfits. You would be shocked to see that you look almost the same as you were pre-delivery. So get the same size clothes you were wearing just before the delivery or if you choose, you can also leave the hospital in a decent nursing gown, especially if you had a c-section and find it difficult to change into anything that needs you to put an effort.
Things you would need for your baby:
If you follow the traditional Indian dictum that says it s inauspicious to buy baby stuff before the birth then have this list ready and hand it out to your partner as you get into the labour room.
17. Baby clothing: Go cotton. Preferably pick up clothes meant for newborns. Cotton jablas are the best. Also get two to three sleeping suits, vests, cotton dresses and pajamas.
18. Diapers: If possible get a whole carton of it. You newborn will need change frequently through the day and night. If you do not wish your baby s skin to come in contact with diapers ask the nanny or your help to get cotton nappies from home. Read the new mum's guide on how to change your baby's diaper the right way.
19. Socks and booties: Small colourful ones made out of pure cotton are best.
20. Caps: It is wise to get the ones that keep your baby s head and ears covered. This will keep him warm and comfortable.
21. Swaddle cloth: You can pick the cotton ones or the light weighted wrap cloth that comes with a cap attached.
22. Baby blanket: Your baby needs to be warm too.
23. Sweater or jacket: If it s too cold outside.
Image courtesy: Getty Images
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