8 more things you should take to the hospital for delivery
MOST pregnant women will get a list from their doctors or clinics with what to pack for their babies’ deliveries, and this is what they will use when they go delivery shopping.
The list will differ depending on whether a woman is delivering privately or publicly, but some things are constant — diapers, wipes, night gown for mom, clothes for baby, and sanitary items.
But not on that list are other essentials that a woman may only discover she absolutely needs once she’s in hospital, things she will wish was a part of her original list.
And while some women can ask family or their partners to fetch some of the items below, for others it may be too late or too much of an inconvenience, and they have to go without.
So before you head off to have your little one, below we compiled this list of things women wish they had brought to the hospital for delivery, based on feedback from a few mothers who gave birth in public facilities in the last nine months.
1. A fan
The hospital can get hot — stiflingly hot — and while some maternity wards have ceiling fans, they won’t be able to adequately cover the entire area. Some public facilities will allow you to take along your own plug-in fan, which will ease your distress and even blow away those pesky mosquitoes.
2. Drinking water
This one seemed puzzling — meals are served with water, right? Not in the public hospital! Meals are served with tea and juice, and you’ll have to take along your own drinking water. So grab a gallon of water because you will get really thirsty, especially once you start breastfeeding.
3. A data plan/electronics/books
Things can get pretty loud and/or boring on the ward, and so you will want some entertainment. Buy a data plan, or download your favourite Netflix series that you can watch. Better yet, take a book along to read, as the distraction will help whether pre-or postbirth. And don’t forget your phone charger!
4. Tonnes of baby wipes
You’ll need wipes for the baby, but you will probably underestimate just how many you will need. In those first crucial hours and days with the newborn things can get quite explosive, and you’ll be changing a lot of diapers. You’ll also need wipes for quick clean-up of your bed and eating area if you’re immobilised from say, a C-section.
5. Earplugs and sleep mask
Not only are there screaming babies and lots of noise with nurses and ancillary staff passing through at all hours, but earplugs will help with noisy wardmates who may do things like snore loudly or talk on their phones a lot. The maternity ward lights are also never completely turned off, just turned down for a few hours, and you won’t be allowed to close your curtains completely, so if you want to sleep without this distraction, you will need a sleep mask.
6. Your own sheets, pillows, inco-pads
This may or may not be on your list, but it’s always good to have your own bed linen (twin bed size) so your stay is more comfortable. Take our advice and get dark colours! Also, the hospital won’t provide pillows so you will have to bring your own — or two — so you can also elevate your legs if need be. Incontinence (inco) pads are also essential to protect the bed from messes, whether you have had a C-section or vaginal birth. Have at least five on hand.
7. Snacks
You won’t necessarily need fruits because fruits are served with meals, but you will need snacks to munch on in-between meals, because having a baby will make you hungry. Consider things like granola bars and plantain chips.
8. Toiletries and beauty supplies
The way you look may be the last thing on your mind, but at some point when the baby is out and it’s time to face the real world you’ll want to have some home comforts to get you feeling good about yourself again. Don’t forget your lotion, moisturiser, dental floss, mouthwash, and the like, when you’re packing.
