How to Prepare for Your Baby and What to Pack for the Hospital or Birth Center?
One major expectation every pregnant woman has is the main day when they would be delivered of their baby. Especially for a first-time mom, her joy is to see her baby delivered into her hands without any complications or sad news. So, while waiting for the delivery day, preparing for birth is of necessity and is worth taking seriously.
You need to know how to prepare for your baby. As a matter of fact, there are a few things, as an expecting mother, you should do and bear in mind to have a smooth delivery, and one of which is the right information. It is important for you to find out what options are available for the delivery of your baby, and what things to expect.
Also, you need to know the birth process, especially if you are a first-time mom. Know what happens to your body and the baby in the process of the delivery. While a lot of women may have fears about a delivery, finding out this information can help prepare your mind before the process actually begins.
Another important thing you need to find out is how to manage pains. While there are drugs and other breathing techniques available to ease the process of labor, you need to know about them and which option is likely to work for you best. Talking this through with your doctor will help your decision.
Delivery bag preparation
It is also important, as part of preparing for the birth, that you make preparation for the delivery bag. Usually, it is advisable that you have made preparation for delivery bag two weeks to the delivery day. Get everything set and intact in a place that is easy to locate. While it is advisable that you have whatever you are taking along duplicated, other things that cannot be packed before the day can be noted down and placed on top of the bag for an easy reference.
What to pack for the hospital or birth center?
CHECKLIST – For mom
- Photo ID, insurance info, hospital forms and birth plan (if you have one).
- Cell phone and charger
- Two or three pairs of socks
- Energy snacks
- Maternity bras and nursing pads
- Toiletries and cosmetics: hairbrush, toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, face wash, shampoo, conditioner.
- Comfortable clothes
- A few pairs of comfortable underwear or maternity underwear
- Slippers or flip flops
- Body lotion or massage oil
CHECKLIST – For baby
- A coming-home outfit – at list two different sizes to make sure they fit.
- Approved infant car seat
- Blankets
- About 20-30 diapers made especially for newborns
- Baby Wipes
- Diaper Rash Creams for Your Baby
Body preparation for birth
The truth is labor requires that you have enough strength. This is why, while preparing for birth, you engage in regular exercises long before the delivery day. Prepare your body by engaging it in exercises. Enroll in pregnancy yoga. Find out what exercises will be suitable for you as a pregnant woman.
Who Should Be in the Delivery Room?
Sometimes, it is a good idea to have a partner with you while you are going into the delivery room. The essence of this is so that the person can keep cheering you and giving you the right words of encouragement that you need. The partner could be your mother, sister, or even your husband or anyone close.
While talking about how to prepare for your baby, it is very important that you prepare your mind for the unexpected. There are times you would have figured out how you would want the delivery to go and eventually, it would be the other way round. So, whether a normal delivery or one that ends up in a c-section, understand that the joy of having your baby far outweighs whatever stress or pain you go through in the process.
Related:
HOW DOES STRESS AFFECT AN UNBORN BABY?
HOW I DELIVERED MY 9 POUNDS BABY BOY IN LESS THAN 3 HOURS
VAGINAL TEARING DURING CHILDBIRTH: TIPS TO HELP PREVENT TEARING
