Because being admitted to the hospital for child birth, surgery or a planned procedure can be an exciting but daunting process. The key to an organized hospital visit is through the preparation of a well-stocked hospital bag. Use this checklist to ensure you have packed everything you need and are able to focus on healing during your stay. Here is the perfect guide of what you need for your labour bag, including things to pack for yourself and also partner if they are going with you. Plus items that might be needed in case baby arrives sooner than expected!
1. Important Documents and Information
One of the most critical things to pack in your hospital bag is your identification and essential documents. Having these readily available can help streamline your check-in process and ensure that your healthcare providers have all the information they need.
- Identification: If you are going to the hospital have your ID, insurance info and any advance registration forms where they can be grabbed quickly.
- Medical Records: Bring copies of your medical records, including any test results, prescription lists, and notes from your doctor. If you’ve had any private testing done recently, ensure that those results are included as well.
- Birth Plan: If you are a mom-to-be getting ready for labor and delivery, be sure to make copies of your birth plan. The birth plan: This document details what you would prefer for labor and delivery, making it clear to medical staff how they should treat your case.
2. Comfortable Clothing
Hospitals are not known for their warmth, so bring items that will help keep you neat and warm during your stay. You might not want to wear pull-up pants when you’ve just had surgery or given birth.
- Gown or Robe: A soft lean weight gown/ robe is so much better than wearing your clothes around and still feeling covered.
- Baggy Clothing: Baggy and comfortable clothing to wear while in-hospital! & night gowns For these girlfriends: If you’re pregnant, select items that are easy to nurse in or forgive postpartum changes.
- Socks and Slippers: Wearing warm socks while walking around the hospital is essential. Also, hospital floors can be very slippery so non-slip socks are a must.
3. Toiletries and Personal Care Items
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A few items to make your hospital stay more cosy such as some of our favourite toiletries and personal care products. Hospitals do have some items for you, but if your there it means that not all of these things will be the same or good enough and having your stuff makes a difference in how comfortable you are.
- Toothbrush + Toothpaste: Pack your own toothbrushtoothpastefloss. And when these tiny joys remind you how nice it is to lose the veneer of everyday life
- Shampoo and Conditioner: Hospitals often provide basic soap, but if you prefer your own shampoo and conditioner, pack travel-sized bottles.
- Deodorant & Lotion: It keeps your skin moisturised and feel fresh, it ll make your mood better when you stay. Deodorant and a Light Hand Lotion You Love
- Lip Balm: The air in the hospital is dry as heck, so be sure to have your favorite lip balm with you.
4. Electronics and Entertainment
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There is little to do in hospitals, especially outside of the time that health attendants are doing their work and you have begun all your tests. This would not be time study, but fundamental entertainment.
- Phone and Charger: A phone is necessary for communication, internet browsing & also entertainment like games or social media. Do not forget your charger, and like I said earlier a power bank would be very useful.
- Tablet/ e-Reader – if you like reading, a tablet or reader could be an excellent way to kill time during flight. Get your device filled with books, magazines or movie series before going to the hospital.
- Headphones are necessary for using when you want to listen to music, podcasts or watch any videos without making noise that disrupt others.
5. Snacks and Hydration
Have some of your favorite snacks around — honestly, hospital food can be hit or miss. Bring a variety to satisfy any cravings as well and help keep your energy high.
- Healthy snacks: pack some healthy bites in your bag like granola bars, nuts, dried fruit or grilled meat between two crackers. These can help you prevent low energy between meals.
- Water Bottle: Hospitals supply water, but having your own water bottle makes it easier to stay hydrated — and no one wants a tearful zone of their own! Choose something with a straw or can be drunk from laying flat.
6. Items for Comfort and Relaxation
This can help to minimize stress and anxiety while you are in hospital. You might want to take some things with you that make a space feel like home, and remind yourself of your comfort zone.
- Pillow, Blanket: The hospital will provide a pillow and blanket but with how sterile these are compared to what we were used to before my flares up being out patient its easier on him. Taking your own can have a huge impact on how well you sleep.
- Eye Mask and Earplugs: Hospitals can be noisy during the day or even at night as fortified cross beams of an enlarged cruise ship’s hull. An eye mask and some earplugs to interrupt your sleep.
- Essential Oils or Room Spray: If you love aromatherapy, maybe bring a small bottle of essential oils or room spray. For example, Lavender is a fragrance that known to the planet for its calming properties and it produces a sense of relaxing vibes around such atmosphere.
7. Essentials for New Moms and Babies
If you are a new mom and getting ready to welcome your precious one, here is more of what every thing needs as essentials. These must-haves will make the trip from hospital to home just a bit easier.
- Infant Clothing Items: You should bring a pair of clothes for your baby like onesies, socks, mittens and hat. Ensure they are appropriate to be worn during any weather and easily wearable.
- Diapers/Wet Wipes: The hospital provide them but its always good to have a couple extras in case.
- NursjsonB: If you plan to nurse, a good nursing bra is crucial, as are pads. These are perfect for staying comfortable and having to deal with leaks.
- Homecoming Outfit: Pack a comfortable homecoming outfit to wear as you leave the hospital, and make sure it is easy for getting dressed with all of those post-partum changes.
8. Partner’s Essentials
While your other half or support person will also be staying with you they need a few things to help make them comfortable as well. For this purpose a separate bag can save time.
- Apparel: Comfortable apparel for your helpmeet such as pajamas, sparkling clothing and added underclothes.
- Washroom: Carry the basic toiletries like a toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant and razor.
- Pack snacks for your partner: Drink and food, in case they expect to be with you a while.
9. Special Considerations for Private Testing and Healthcare Providers
Depending on the circumstances, you may also have to take other things into account like private testing or individual guidance from your healthcare providers. This includes any private testing or medical needs and bring documentation.
- Test Results: If you’ve had recent private testing done, bring a copy of the results to share with your healthcare providers. This can include blood work, imaging, or other diagnostic tests.
- Medication: Any special medications may need to be continued, and you should ensure that the supply would last throughout your hospital stay. Carry the original boxes and a photo copy of your prescription for easy reference.
- Health Equipment: If you rely on health equipment such as CPAPs, glucose monitors or any other specialized devices they should also be packed and prepared for travel.
10. Post-Hospital Essentials
Last but not least, think about what you will need when it is time to go home from the hospital. Having these things already prepared will make the packing-up process for your transition home a lot easier.
- Car Seat: For those who will be taking a newborn home from the hospital, this is key to have (and installed prior to delivering).
- Comfortable shoes: bring a pair of slip on/offs
- Discharge Instructions: Before leaving the hospital, make sure you understand any discharge instructions from your health care providers. These can include things like details on how to take care of your wound, checkups you need with the doctor or nurse and when you have finished any medications.
Conclusion
Bringing a well-stocked hospital bag can really change your overall experience. This will give you a complete checklist so that nothing is important for a comfortable and unhurried service in the hospital. Whether it be having your own tests results up to speed or preparing everything necessary for the advice of course from your health care company, getting taught will make a difference on what lets start work on plus follow through — ones wellness.
