Checklist for Hospital When Having a Baby

All young couples look forward to the arrival of their baby, with many of them preparing well in advance, by buying baby clothes, toys, cradle and even decorating an entire room for the baby. When they are involved in doing these special things for their unborn child, they might forget a very important thing, and that is preparing for the childbirth. Whether the delivery of the child takes place at home or in hospital, it is always better to prepare well in advance for any kind of emergency. Ideally, preparation for the delivery, by packing a bag that will be taken along to the hospital, should be done as early as, after thirty six weeks of pregnancy, to be on the safer side. For first time parents, it can be quite difficult to assume the things that will be required in the hospital at the last moment. So, to help them out, here is a carefully prepared checklist, which they will find handy.

Maternity Checklist in Hospital

• Birth plan, which includes everything, right from the name of the birth partner, positions for delivery, the kind of pain relief to be used, ways to monitor the baby's heart rate, and the way the mother wants the baby to be fed, should be taken along, without fail to the hospital.
• A dressing gown and a pair of slippers, which can be worn prior to delivery, by the mother to be, is a must-have in the checklist.
• A pair of socks, should be taken along too, especially warm woolen ones, as many women experience cold feet during labor.
• Dresses can get very messy during labor, so taking an old T shirt for delivery is a good idea.
• For women with long hair, carrying a hair band to tie the hair during delivery, makes sense.
• A massage oil such as lavender oil or tea tree oil, which can be used to massage the woman and keep her relaxed during labor should be carried along.
• As the delivery of the child can take time, so taking along certain items such as magazines, CDs, books, etc. to pass time is a good idea.
• Pillows can make a woman feel comfortable on a hospital bed, so carry a few of different sizes and shapes, which the mother to be can use.
• Some other labor bag items, which are a must-have are - a nursing bra, breast pads and a spray bottle (is useful to keep the woman's genitals cool during labor)
• Post delivery, a woman requires items such as toiletries, nursing gown, hand cream, nipple cream, soap, deodorant, hair clips, shampoo, shower gel, hair brush and hair clips.
• Ear plugs, perhaps the most important item in the hospital labor bag checklist, are a must too, so that the mother can sleep peacefully, without getting disturbed by the baby, post delivery.
• Lastly, clothes to wear when the mother goes back home with the child have to be carried along too.

Checklist for Dads and Babies

• A comfortable pair of shoes for the dad as he might be required to do the running around in the hospital.
• Extra clothes, as delivery may take some time.
• A camera or a camcorder to record the birth of the child.
• A list of phone numbers of all those people, the couple would like to share their joy with, after the delivery. A phone card and a mobile phone for making calls is required too.
• Another must-have is drinks and snacks, both for the dad and the mother to be. The snacks should preferably be non perishable so that they last longer.
• For the baby, carry a few baby diapers, a warm baby blanket, booties, baby seat to be used in the car, baby cap to save him from the sunlight, a receiving blanket and new baby clothes to be worn when going home.

The above checklist covers each and everything that a couple may require. So, along with decorating the baby's room, start packing the labor bag too, well in advance.