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What to Pack in Your Hospital Bag Before Delivery: Essential Checklist
What to pack in the hospital bag before delivery?
Packing a hospital bag with the essentials around three to four weeks before your due date can make your post-delivery time at the hospital easier. Why so early? Because new-borns sometimes tend to surprise us with an earlier arrival, and you cannot surely say how active or fatigued you might feel just before your due date.
Amid the excitement of holding your new-born and the unending questions you might have just after delivery, this little (or maybe not so little) bag can make you feel much relieved when you instantly find what you, your new-born and partner need at any given time at the hospital.
What to pack in the hospital bag is something that every expecting mother wants to know so that she doesn’t miss anything important. So we have created a detailed checklist of the things that you might like to keep ready or shop for and pack in advance. Keep this list handy for the time when you start shopping for the new-born’s arrival.
Documents: Even though Singapore has a robust healthcare system with most healthcare records available digitally, it is always a sound option to keep all critical documents handy in a physical file or folder. These could include identity cards, previous medical records and details of any health/maternity insurance that you may have opted for. Ask your hospital in advance about the documents you would require.
Socks, slippers and comfortable flip-flops: As you might be pacing off and on, your feet might feel cold and you would really need easy-to-slip-on footwear after delivery.
Maternity wear, nightgowns and undergarments: Comfortable clothes for before and after delivery are a must. Don’t forget nursing bras and cotton panties. When you start shopping for maternity clothes in advance, try to keep the weather around your due date in mind. It helps to have front buttoned clothes that would help you during breastfeeding1. Remember to pack the coming-home clothes. If you have family who would be visiting you regularly, you can pack the things required after the first two days in another bag that they can bring along later.
Toiletries and personal care essentials: These are a few items that one tends to miss but are such a relief when you need them – face and hand wash, sanitizers, toothbrush, toothpaste, comb, hair bands, lotions (try to get the safer / chemical-free ones as you will be in close contact with your new-born), lip balm, nail cutters with filers as you would really need trimmed nails while touching the soft skin of your little one.
Healthy snacks: If your hospital permits, pack some snacks for yourself as well as your partner as he/she might tend to skip meals amid all the running around.
Gadgets and books: Mobile chargers, selfie stick, books or kindle if you like to read. Pack the camera, if you plan to record the birth and if your hospital permits. Tip: You might want to clear the storage space in your phone as you will end up clicking way too many photos of your baby!
Maternity sanitary pads: These pads are much thicker than the regular sanitary pads and essential for the lochia discharge post delivery2. Few hospitals provide these so please ask in advance.
Disposal bags: Carry something to keep your used or soiled clothes.
Breast pump: If you have a breast pump and plan to use one, carry it with you. The doctors and nurses at the hospital are the best people to guide you on using it.
Packing for the baby:
The cutest part of packing is keeping things ready for the newborn! Here is a handy checklist:
A baby bag / diaper bag with enough compartments.
Soft cotton clothes for the newborn like newborn clothing sets (preferably front open and without buttons), baby vest, nappies and muslin or cotton wrap. Remember to pack different sizes of newborn clothes.
Newborn caps based on the weather.
2 Bed protectors to place where the baby sleeps and for changing diapers/nappies, disposable diapers, wipes, tissues, a safe diaper rash cream and sterile cotton balls.3
Wrapping blanket
Baby carrying bag
Baby carrier
Newborn socks and mittens
Small soft towels
Bibs
Baby coming home clothes
Remember to enquire at your hospital if they provide some of the things (like pads) so that you do not overpack.
Most importantly, do not stress if you miss something. It helps to have a couple of people (friends, family or colleagues) as backup and asking them if they would be available around your due date. They could help bring anything you miss or you need at the last minute.
References & Resources
More Pregnancy & Maternity Tips
Questions you must ask when buying maternity insurance in Singapore
5 reasons why adoption of cord blood banking has great scope
