Packing your hospital or birthing center bag can be a way to slowly prepare yourself mentally for the birth towards the end of your pregnancy and to realize that you really are going to have a baby soon. But maybe you are one of those pregnant women who packs your hospital bag on the fly during the first contractions - that happens a lot too and is just as good, of course. Because no matter what it is for you, whether you want to make it a ritual, just get it over with or just be well prepared: here are our 10 absolute must-haves for your hospital bag.
1 | Intimate shower
Regardless of whether it's a natural birth or a Caesarean section - a pod shower will honestly save half your life in the first few days after birth. After vaginal births, the vulva can feel sore in the first few days or you may have wounds from birth injuries. If acidic urine comes into contact with these areas, it burns pretty badly and this is where the intimate shower comes in: simply rinse lukewarm water over the vulva when peeing, this will dilute the urine and stop it from stinging. And after a Caesarean section? Contortions when wiping are often impossible and the pod shower can reach all areas of your intimate area without any problem.
2 | Toilet paper or washcloth
The toilet paper in hospitals is often quite hard and scratchy. If you want to dry yourself off after rinsing with the intimate shower, take a few washcloths or a roll of soft toilet paper with you.
3 | Comfortable clothes and warm socks
Loose and comfortable clothing is great for the opening phase; it shouldn't pinch you. And warm socks are great for contractions, because an old midwife's saying goes: Contractions don't like cold feet!
4 | Outfit for the delivery room
In our experience, long shirts, buttoned nightgowns (especially useful if you want to breastfeed afterwards, then you don't have to take off all your clothes) and simple cotton dresses have worked well. And if you get an epidural, you'll be changed into comfortable hospital gowns anyway.
5 | Something to eat
Depending on when you go to the hospital or birthing center, you may not be able to get anything to eat there. And there is probably not much to say about the hospital food itself. In our experience, it helps to have a good supply of cereal bars and glucose tablets and other favorite snacks that give you energy in between meals and keep you fed even when the hospital canteens are closed.
6 | Favorite drink and straw or sports bottle
For some of us, the cool sip of apple spritzer between contractions was a real ray of hope. And with a straw or sports bottle, you can always drink, even in the most impossible birthing positions.
6 | Charging cable (with extension cable if necessary)
To charge your cell phone, eBook reader and other devices, don't forget the cables! And an extension socket can also help, because the sockets in hospitals are rarely right next to the bed.
7 | Care products
Recovery spray, nipple care and a cooling water spray can care for irritated areas on your body directly after birth and refresh you in between!
8 | Everything for the delivery room
To make the sometimes cold delivery rooms more pleasant for you, anything is allowed: fairy lights, music, scented lamps, birth oil , pictures, flowers - you do you!
9 | For peace and quiet
If you are in a shared room and want to block out your snoring neighbors, take a sleeping mask and earplugs or headphones with you. You will still be able to hear your own baby, I promise! (In a shared room, a small night light can also be useful for nighttime breastfeeding.)
10 | Important documents
Depends on the country you live in, but most times it is something like the following: Maternity record, identity card or passport, your birth certificate (and if necessary, acknowledgement of paternity and proof of custody if you have a partner and you are not married or in a civil partnership) or marriage certificate/civil partnership certificate and your health insurance card.
