Better prepare rather than repent is a motto which holds true. This is important in the last few weeks of your pregnancy, as you approach your due date. If you are close to the 8th month of pregnancy, you would need to pack your bag for labor and carry it along with you to the hospital or birthing center. The last moments of your contraction are not the time to throw things into the bag. In the ideal scenario, you should get your bag ready a month before the due date and keep it in the car so that you do not forget it in a rush. You can place it at your front door, if you have someone driving you to the hospital.
The fundamental things to carry along?
The most important thing that you would need to carry is obviously paperwork. Ensure you carry a proof of your identification, your health insurance card and any piece of information which your hospital does require. If you have a birth chart, then do bring it along with you.
Carry along with two nightgowns, a bath towel, nonslip bottom, a pair of slippers and a pair of socks. The nightgowns that you carry along with you should be loose and don’t restrict you. Loose sleeves are a must as they will soak in your excess blood pressure, In the case of night gowns it should not be the ones that you would might throw out if they are messed up.
Pick with you two changes of comfortable clothes, along with it a pair of comfortable flat shoes. Once again say no too tight clothes. Take into account that you are not going to be in the pre pregnancy stage after delivery, so carry clothes that you wore in the second stages of pregnancy. Carry along with you a couple of bras, as they will support you when milk comes from the breast and this is along with nursing pads. You can bring along with your regular cotton undies or maternity underwear. Some hospitals provide you with the option of disposable underwear.
What should be brought for the baby?
What to pack for labor does involve keeping the interests of the baby in mind. Carry along with you a piece of cloth to take the baby back home, or socks unless the baby has feet. Ensure that you carry along with you a blanket if the weather is cold outside. Pack a receiving blanket, though the hospitals will provide you with one, but still it is better to keep one with you.
The most important thing for the baby is a properly installed car seat. Some hospitals will not allow the baby to go home unless the baby is in a rear facing car seat. It is suggested that you install the seat well before time, so that a load is off your head and moreover it will provide you with a perfect opportunity to practice with straps and buckles.
