When you are deciding on your packing list for hospital or birth center, you want to be sure that you don’t' forget anything. After all, this is one of the most exciting and nerve racking times in your life. You might not be able to ease your fears about your pregnancy and delivery, but you can eliminate the stress of your packing list for hospital or birth center.
From the time you know you are pregnant, you start to go through many physical and emotional changes. These changes can leave you feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or both. But one good way to combat all of these feelings is to do what you can to prepare for your baby now. Don't wait until you are almost full term before you start thinking about your packing list for hospital or birth center. This is the worst thing you can do. You will be so consumed with buying baby furniture, getting the nursery ready, and thinking of baby names that packing your bag will be the last thing on your mind.
Right now, this very second, take out a piece of paper and make two lists for yourself. The first list will be for things that you want to pack in your hospital bag and the second will be things that you have already packed in your hospital bag. So let's say that you get a nightgown at your baby shower that you know you want to wear when you are in the hospital, make note of it on your list of things that are in your hospital bag and pack it. Now you don't have to wonder where that nightgown is when you are looking for it. But more importantly, you also know that you have already taken care of packing your nightgown when the time comes that you are almost ready to go to the hospital.
There are many different things you want to remember when you are making your packing list for hospital or birth center. First, remember that you aren't just packing for you, you are packing for your newborn too. So you might want to bring your own baby socks, onesie, and cap for your hospital stay. Not only will dressing your baby give you some extra bonding time, but your baby will look adorable in all of those pictures you are sure to take at the hospital.
The other thing you want to remember when making your packing list for hospital or birth center is the actual labor process. Throughout your pregnancy, you will no doubt be experimenting with simple things that can help you to get through the labor process. Things like certain lotions, a sock filled with rice, or even some calming aromatherapy smells will really make a difference in your pain management during labor. Since you won't be using these things until it is time to go to the hospital, pack them now so that you can be sure that you don't forget them later.
Your packing list for the hospital or birth center doesn't have to be huge, it just has to have the things that you will need the most and the things that will bring you the most comfort during your stay. Another good idea is to have the person who will be in the delivery room with you pack a small bag as well. This bag should include a camera, cell phone, and a list of people that you might want to call after the delivery.