Is the day to welcome your bundle of joy getting closer? With all the excitement that comes with preparing for birth, you’ll likely forget to pack everything if you do not start early. When making your delivery checklist, consider your comfort before and after delivery, as well as your baby’s comfort. If you are traveling with a companion, remember to pack for them as well.
Things to Prepare for Early
Before your day approaches, make sure you already have the following items.
- Car seat: You’ll need a car seat for your baby, not only for use on the discharge day but for any other trips. Make sure the car seat is installed correctly and meets all the safety standards.
- Baby crib/cot: According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, newborns should be allowed to sleep in the same room with their parents but should sleep in their cribs for at least six months. Make sure you have a comfortable cot for your baby to enable good sleep.
- Baby supplies: Do you know some women do their baby shopping as early as 12 weeks while others wait until the pregnancy is over 30 weeks? Well, it’s good to make sure you have all your newborn supplies early to avoid the last-minute rush.
- Pediatrician: Make sure you choose your baby’s pediatrician before you give birth. Your first well-baby clinic should be between 3-5 days after delivery.
- Make a birth plan: A birth plan gives a list of your preferences when you’re in the labor and delivery room. Would you like your favorite music on? Or do you want anyone else in the room? Will you breastfeed immediately after birth? You should outline all this information in your birth plan.
Make Sure You Organize Your Home
- Deep clean your house: You don’t want to come to a messy house after delivery, right? The last days of your pregnancy can be tiring, but you need to make your home look neat before your baby’s arrival. Ensure your baby comes to a clean and healthy environment.
- Do your laundry: Imagine coming from the hospital with your baby and finding a pile of clothes you had left on the bed! Where will you start? Do your laundry early and arrange your bedroom so that you won’t begin straining yourself with chores when you come back home.
- Do your household shopping: Do your shopping early to avoid running out of essential items like toothpaste. You don’t want to carry your baby to the mall when she’s only a few days old.
- Get a support team: When you are preparing for birth, consider that you need someone other than your partner to help you run errands in the house. Caring for a newborn can be exhausting, and you also need all the rest you can get to regain your strength back.
Checklist for Delivery
Pack for three, your baby, partner, and you. This is something you can do with your partner. He’ll remind you of anything you could forget, and it’ll be more enjoyable.
Checklist for Moms:
You need to pack the things you require before delivery and after delivery.
- Clothes to wear from the hospital: You can wear a hospital gown when you are in the hospital. A hospital gown is an excellent option because it is more comfortable and allows you to breastfeed your baby more easily.
- Insurance card and identification documents: Make sure you carry your insurance card if you are covered. Your identification documents are important for identifying whether you are the person you claim to be.
- Maternity pads: Hospitals provide you with maternity pads after delivery. But you can carry your own if there’s a brand you prefer.
- Toiletries: Toothbrush, toothpaste, comb, makeup, towel, and slippers. These are the small things we always forget to pack, even when going on trips.
- Postpartum underwear and nursing bra: Postpartum under wears are comfy and are unlikely to irritate your painful parts like a CS incision or postpartum belly. Nursing bras are comfortable and help you breastfeed your baby with ease. They also prevent leakage of breast milk into your clothes.
Checklist for a Partner:
- Birth plan: He should have a copy of your birth plan in case you are in a state that you can’t remember where you put yours. He should also know your preferences for the delivery room.
- Toiletries: He will need things like toilet paper, toothbrush, toothpaste, cologne, and comb.
- Clothes: He’ll need a clean change of clothes because you’ll be staying in the hospital for at least one night or more.
- Money: Carry a credit card and cash to use for the vending machine and parking. A checkbook might also be helpful if you need to make a payment before you leave the hospital.
- Camera: We all enjoy documenting those unique and unforgettable moments. Make sure you bring a camera and capture the first day of your child’s life.
Checklist for Baby:
Here are essential things you need for your baby after delivery:
- Baby clothes for going home: Because the hospital will offer your infant undershirts, bring home-going clothing for your baby. However, if you believe undershirts are not enough, you can bring a few more items with you.
- Nail clipper: Newborn’s nails are sharp and long, and they scratch their face with them. Carry a nail clipper and nail file to ensure that your baby’s face is free of marks on their first days.
- Baby blanket: Once you deliver, you will be given a baby flannel blanket. Bring your baby blanket with you for the trip home and in case it gets cold.
- Nursing pillow: Carry a nursing pillow to assist your baby in achieving a perfect latch during breastfeeding and relieve strain on your belly.
- Baby diapers: The hospital will give you baby diapers, but you may want to bring one or two with you in case of an emergency.
- Baby lotion and diaper cream: Use baby lotion gently to keep a newborn’s skin moisturized. Diaper cream helps to soothe the skin due to diaper rashes.
Carrying too much stuff to the hospital for your delivery will only clutter up the limited space you have, so only bring what you need.
Choose North Texas Medical Center (NTMC) for your OB-GYN
At North Texas Medical Center, we offer OB-GYN services with dedicated and specialized medical professionals available 24/7. We ensure personalized care for every mom and baby to give them the best experience. We are a level four trauma center, and besides offering full hospital services, we have two full-time general surgeons and on-call staff dedicated bariatric services. Contact us today for any information about our maternal and fetal care or if you have a medical-related question.
