What Should Go Into Your Hospital Bag?

"What you pack in your hospital bag for labor and birth will help make you more comfortable for your labor and birth as well as have personal items. You should pack your bag or suitcase a few weeks ahead and be ready for delivery and admission. Here is a handy list of things to take with you in your hospital bag : For Mother- Your birth plan, comfortable clothes or pyjamas with front fastening, cardigan, nursing bras, breast pads, nipple Cream, sanitary pads, few pairs of underwears, slippers, toiletries, massage oil or lotion, magazines or ipod, hair tie/band (if you’ve got long hair), a camera and/or video camera (check with the hospital whether they are allowed),cereal bars or dried fruit for an energy boost and all documents given during pre-registration. For the baby- Hat, mittens & booties, vest, blanket or shawl for use on the day of discharge, a car seat and a going home outfit for baby. A laundry bag , comfy clothes and flat shoes to go home in , ID card and house registration (some hospitals may provide service of issuing the birth certificate)."

"1. required admission documents/ IC etc 2. sanitary/ maternity pads (Bring more! hosp charges quite high so to save a bit, bring and use your own. 3. change of clothes- while still in the ward (comfy sleep gowns with front buttons, light cardigan) and for going home clothes, nursing bras etc & disposable underwears (my preference) 4. baby going home clothing, receiving blanket, mittens, booties 5. sweets while u are waiting during labour, snacks for the hubby 6. chargers for camera, laptop, video cam, mobile phones! 7. camera and / or video camera! 8. breast pads (maybe just 2-3 pair. cos ur flow will not come so fast) 9. name and contact list! - to inform the world about the arrival of ur little addition to ur family! 10. small towel (to sponge clean urself daily), toiletries, some cosmetics if u want! Note: Any hosp items once opened will be charged to your a/c, u can tell the nurse u want to use your own stuff (especially for 2nd packets onwards =D)"

"Do not forget to bring the pre-delivery medical expense of you want to submit the claim altogether"

"I think the most important thing is the admission letter which your Gynae gave to you, with this, together with you and your husband's IC and a credit card (to make deposit) you can actually go into hospital without all the rest of the things. However, to make yourself more comfortable, you are advised to bring a set of your own clothes for the day when you discharge, a set of baby clothes if you wish to wear on his/her own clothes, else can wear the one hospital give. Maternity pads, as the one hospital give wont be enough for us for the hospital stay, but it can also be get from the pharmacy inside the hospital. Chicken essense, to make yourself more energetic during the labour push. Handphone charger, or other leisure magazines."

"You can burp over the shoulder or on the knee. Support her head with one hand and pat or rub her back with your other. I used upward stroke. Eating solid food generate gas too. So helping her burp can be comforting."

"You can refer to this link: http://www.thomsonmedical.com/what-to-bring-for-your-stay/"

"Things to pack for yourself: - Your NRIC, Credit Card & Marriage Cert if you plan on registering your child's BC in the hospital -Your own PJ (long sleeves with front row buttons for ease of breastfeeding) if you don't want to wear hospital ones - Change of clothes for day of hospital discharge - Sanitary pads - Disposable underwear - toothbrush & toothpaste if you don't like to use those provided by hospital - face towel & comb - mobile phone & charger - Sweater - Slippers. For baby: - Booties & mittens, 1 pair each - Hooded Blanket for hospital discharge - Romper or Top & Bottom Mount A will give u a baby bag which has some brochures/ flyers with J&J baby wipes & Huggies diapers for NB plus a big bath tub."

"1. Any hospital documents you need related to your pregnancy (i.e. birth plan) 2. Your identity card and any insurance documents 3. Toiletries for the hospital stay: toothpaste, toothbrush, shower gel, shampoo, toilet paper (if you’re particular) 4. Snacks, juice, sweets that you can have during labour 5. Sanitary pads for post-delivery bleeding 6. Nursing bra for breastfeeding 7. Breast pads (disposables are most convenient) 8. Underwear and night gown for hospital sleepover 9. Phone and other electronic devices if you’re an Internet addict 10.Light makeup if you’re concerned about looking good in photos (no judgment here!) 11. An outfit for going home 12. Baby's clothing & receiving blanket."

"Postnatal pads, toiletries, clothes (after discharge), baby's clothes if you want the child to go back in his/her own clothes, books/magazines, phone/charger."

"oops...not forgetting your nursing bra, disposable panties."