If you are an expectant mother, it is perfectly understandable for your stress level to rise as the big day draws near. To manage it, you and your partner need to be prepared. Planning ahead will help ensure that things will go as smoothly as possible when the baby finally comes.
Amid all the things that you need to look into – from the many visits to your gynaecology clinic Singapore to your own health – it is easy to lose track of simple things like a hospital bag. However, what you pack for the hospital will have a lot to do with how well your delivery goes.
Given its importance, you need to make sure that your hospital bag is complete. This article will discuss everything you need to know about packing your delivery bag and help make things easier for you.
When Should You Start Packing a Hospital Bag?
A full-term pregnancy lasts about 280 days or 40 weeks. However, it is possible to deliver a premature baby before 37 weeks. To make sure that you are ready even if you go into preterm labour, start preparing your hospital bag when you hit the 34-week mark. This will give you enough time to get hold of items that you do not have yet and complete the bag.
What are the Essentials You Need to Pack?
There is a long list of things that you can bring with you to the hospital. However, it is better to focus on the essentials, so you do not get overwhelmed while preparing your bag. Below are some of the items that must be included in your checklist.
- Important documents
When you give birth at the hospital, your partner will have to take care of many clerical tasks that require certain documents. It is important for you to bring these documents so you won’t have to worry about looking for them while you are going into labour.
Make sure that you have your birth plan with you if you have one. You also need a letter from your gynae clinic Singapore and a hospital admission form. Next are your and your partner’s National Registration Identity Cards or NRICs, as well as an original copy of your marriage certificate. This will be needed if you want to register your baby’s name later on.
Finally, try to bring all the receipts from your outpatient visits to your gynae clinic. These bills have to be submitted to the hospital so you can claim pre-delivery charges from MediSave.
- Cash and cards
You should bring some cash and a credit card for emergencies and other needs. It will also come in handy if you do not like hospital food.
- Phone and charger
Make sure that you and your partner bring your phones to the hospital. It will allow you to stay in touch with loved ones and update them if necessary. Also, smartphones today have useful apps that can help with your delivery, such as a contraction timer, so you should have your phone with you during the big day. Do not forget to bring your charger as you might be staying at the hospital for a couple of days.
- Relaxation items
Giving birth can be one of the most intense experiences you will go through in life, so you must take advantage of every tool that can make things easier. For instance, you can bring a homemade hot pack that can help provide relief during labour. You can also bring your own pillow or a back massager.
- Extra clothes for you
You would be staying at the hospital for 24 to 48 hours, so you would need a change of clothes.
- Going home clothes for the baby
Make sure that you have clothes for the baby as well for the trip home.
- Snacks
Bring enough snacks for you and your partner. It will also be a good idea to bring more if you expect visitors while you are in the hospital.
- Toiletries
Deodorant, body wash, toothpaste, toothbrush and other items are must-haves when you pack your hospital bag. You could also bring lip balm and a moisturiser since hospitals are sterile and dry.
Pregnancy Guide Infographic
Conclusion
Giving birth can be overwhelming, especially if you are the mother-to-be. Still, being prepared could help ease the anxieties so you can focus more on the exciting and joyful parts of this experience. You should also choose a highly recommended gynae in Singapore to ensure safe and memorable delivery.
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