What Mommy's Bag Should Contain Before Going into Labor
Pregnancy is a wonderful experience for expectant mothers. But what could've been a magical moment can become quite stressful if you go into labor without having a bag containing everything you need during your time away from home ready.
Whether you plan to give birth in a hospital or at home, you should prepare a hospital bag in case of emergency. To help you out, we have listed 10 things you and other future mommies might need in the hospital when it is time to deliver your little bundle of joy.
Birth Plan
Many upcoming mommies tend to forget papers when they feel the pain of the actual labor, so it is best to put your birth plan inside your hospital bag ahead of time. Remember to keep it concise. It is wise to include few simple questions to help you communicate with your nurse or partner on how you intend the delivery to proceed.
Maternity Gown
Choose a lightweight and dark-colored maternity dress that is both cool to the skin and can hide blood stains. Also, remember to pack at least two since you would need to change after getting bloodied in the delivery room.
Extra-Absorbent Maternity Pads and Spare Underwear
Since you’re going to be secreting so much blood after giving birth, it is wise to have maternity pads and extra panties handy.
Comfortable Slippers and Socks
After giving birth, a woman’s body temperature tends to drop which is why many new mothers feel cold right after delivery. When the time comes that you need to walk on the cold hospital floor, having comfy slippers you can easy-slip on and off as well as warm socks would be a great help.
Loose T-Shirt or Old Nightgown
Expecting mothers in movies look good even they are giving birth, but it is best to remember that real life isn’t as fancy. With that said, remember that delivering a child into the world can be a bit messy, so it is best not to dress too fancy before going into labor. For maximum comfort, try using your husband’s cotton shirt or a breathable nightgown that you won’t miss since your delivery clothes would surely get stained.
Face Powder, Lip Balm and Other Beauty Products
Labor can take a toll on your beautiful, healthy-looking skin. Because of this, experts strongly recommend that pregnant women should include makeup, especially their lip balms, when they pack their hospital bags to make them look and—more importantly—feel more beautiful. This can also help ease the feeling of being disregarded when all your family and friends’ attention are on your baby once you give birth.
Hairbands and Clips
You would be sweating like crazy once you begin going into labor, so it is best to tie your long hair. Having your hair scattered all over your face can also cause a very irritable mood that adds more stress to the pain you feel during labor.
Beddings and Pillows
Some hospitals are short of beddings, especially pillows, which is why it is wise to pack one from home. Aside from adding that homey feel to your otherwise foreign hospital environment, some women might also feel more comfortable using their own pillows and can help cope with the nearly unbearable pain of birthing your baby.
Things for Relaxation
Needless to say, women in labor should remain calm to have a smooth delivery. To achieve this, you should pack your MP3 players, gadgets, magazines, books, or any item that can help you ease the stress of baby delivery. Aside from that, these items can also help you pass time since some women tend to take very long before actually deliver their baby.
Nursing Bra or Outfit
Aside from packing the oh-so-necessary nursing bra, you should
also consider choosing clothes that can easily be opened along the chest area to make breastfeeding your newborn child easier.