The hospital bag!
“Oh, you mean a Go-Bag,” my husband says when I explain that I really need to pack the bag right away. I’m 36 weeks and 6 days pregnant, and officially, I’m allowed to give birth at home starting tonight. A Go-Bag? I look at him questioningly—that does sound cooler than an emergency bag. Yeah, you know, one of those bags they have ready in action movies, full of fake passports and guns… oh, I see… Well, in that case, the words “Go-Bag” and “escape bag” pack just as much adrenaline… and adrenaline is exactly what I’m trying to avoid. And although my passport will also go in this bag, that’s pretty much the only similarity.
What else is in it, or what’s useful? At the bottom of this blog post, you’ll find a standard list like the ones you often see online. But first, I’ll highlight a few important and indispensable items that you might not come across everywhere—and that are actually really great.
The hospital bag is often called the “escape bag” or the “hospital bag.” As if you have to flee in a hurry or jump into a taxi like in the movies. Fortunately, reality is a bit more laid-back. But even if you’re giving birth at home, it’s nice to have everything gathered in one place. That way, if you do have to move around during labor, you’ll have everything right at hand. And if you stay at home, the maternity nurse can easily find that carefully selected newborn outfit (instead of that hideous gift you received from your great-aunt that was still lying around somewhere in the dresser). That way, you can just focus on the birth, your partner can focus on you, and you won’t be interrupted too much by questions like, “Where are the hot water bottles, the muslin cloths, clothes for you, etc.?”
This is thefourth time I’ve packed this bag, and I’m getting better at it all the time (if I do say so myself 🙂 Of course, this is because I can always take a cue from all the carefully packed bags I come across during the births I assist with. So here are 3 golden tips you won’t want to miss for packing your Go-Bag… er, hospital bag.
- Treat yourself! Go ahead and pack a few products in your bag that will really let you pamper yourself after that amazing feat of giving birth. No matter how it went, you’ve more than earned it to be pampered. How wonderful it is when you come across that usually overpriced bubble bath, those deliciously soft clothes, or something else that makes you absolutely happy. You’re worth it! Just thinking about the maternity dresses in my bag—one for during labor and one for after—already makes me happy. They feel like gifts to myself for when the contractions start and afterward.
- Put plastic bags in the bag for each set of the baby’s clothes and write the size on them. One set in size 50 and one set in size 56. This way, you’ll prevent anyone else from mixing and matching them in a way you might not want… I’m always a bit of a control freak when it comes to this, because I want that exact little hat to go with that onesie and those socks.
- Gather everything you consider essential for relaxing during labor. Don’t assume the hospital will have everything you need. Items like sanitary pads and diapers are plentiful, but not every hospital has heating pads (for you—they do have them for the baby), exercise balls, TENS machines, portable speakers, tasty snacks, or drinks (for your partner to stay awake and for yourself afterward. Recently, I saw a whole grocery bag full of tasty treats and games next to the hospital bag; the labor took quite a while, so they could really use it, and she generously shared them with us—the midwife, nurse, etc.—so everyone in the room was in a good mood, and having cheerful people around during your delivery is always nice 🙂
It might all sound a bit controlled, even though in my book I actually advocate for a birth filled with trust, where letting go is the key. Still, I think that the very things you do have control over—like your hospital bag—can help you let go more easily of other things, such as the birth itself and when it begins. This is where you can be kind to yourself and create a sense of calm during your labor.
For inspiration, here are my items and the standard items
Vivian’s extra items:
- 2 bamboo maternity dresses
- 1 bamboo maternity pad
- 1 x Sleep Bra
- 1 Peridouce rinse bottle
- Cordring (some hospitals still use even larger umbilical clamps)
- Pit Bag
- Baby Wrap
- Tens device
- Dextrose (grape sugar)
- A can of energy drink for Thijs
- Lip Balm
- Pillow
- Music box (and my playlist with relaxing music is ready on Spotify)
- Phone holder for filming part of the birth
- Gym ball (in the car; it can be taken out if necessary)
- Bottles of pre-pumped milk (they’re still in the freezer, so there’s a note at the top of the bag saying they need to go in the cooler bag)
- Affirmation Cards
- Pose chart from my own book🙂
Standard hospital bag:
- Proof of ID
- Insurance Card
- Prenatal Care Record
- A coin for the wheelchair
- Phone
- Wallet
- camera
- Phone charger
- 2 packs, size 50 (includes hat, socks, and long-sleeved onesie)
- 1 x size 56 set (includes hat, socks, and long-sleeved onesie)
- Baby jacket
- Car seat (check beforehand to see how it attaches in your car)
- Clothes for yourself: 2 sets
- Large underwear for yourself (at least 4 pairs)
- Clothing set for your partner
- A roomy bra (you can also buy a nursing bra that fits well later on)
- Toiletries for yourself and your partner: shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, toothbrush, toothpaste, etc.
- Bring your own pillow, if you’d like
- Salt Lamp
- Fragrance Oil
- Fake candles (real tea lights aren’t allowed in the hospital, but at home you can, of course, go all out with candles)
Items you don’t need to bring to the hospital, but should have ready at home:
- Maternity Kit
- Bedpan
- 2 metal hot water bottles + hot water bottle covers
- Diapers
- Bottle-fed (unless you have a special formula)
- Bottles (unless you want to get the baby used to your bottles right away), even if you’re breastfeeding.
I wish you a wonderful, confident birth experience with your little one!
Best regards,
Vivian Vietje ~ www.geboortevolvertrouwen.nl