About 90 percent of all babies born in Germany are delivered in a clinic; about two-thirds of women spend more than two days in the clinic following the birth. For cesarean births, the length of stay is somewhat higher, at about five to seven days. The stay in the clinic must therefore be well prepared, so it can’t hurt to pack your hospital bag for the birth in good time.
Soon it will be time – make preparations
In addition to choosing a maternity clinic, packing your birth clinic bag smartly is one of the most important preparations for the first time after delivery. Therefore, in order to actually have the most important things with you, extensive preparations must be made. Depending on the length of stay of mother and child, the things that mother and child need for the first days differ only in scope – documents for the clinic, a transport container for the baby for the trip home and a change of clothes for mother and child will be needed in any case.
This is what the mother needs (checklist)
Depending on the form of delivery (spontaneous or cesarean) and the planned length of stay, the requirements for things that belong in the hospital bag are relatively the same; they differ essentially only in scope. In the case of an outpatient birth, that is, the mother leaves the clinic promptly after the birth and the initial care of the baby, the mother mainly needs fresh clothes. Underwear, loose-fitting T-shirt and comfortable-fitting pants are sufficient. If the stay after the birth is several days, other articles of daily use are needed in addition to a change of clothes and toiletries. Slippers and a comfortable-fitting shawl suit and/or a house suit are essential. Also one or more nursing bras and pads and possibly a nursing pillow. If the delivery is by cesarean section, it is important for the mother to remember that she cannot wear pants with elastic in the immediate aftermath. Nightgowns or wide-cut pants worn as close to the hips as possible absolutely belong in the clinic bag! Many clinics require change to use the shower or coffee machine. Last but not least, for her own relaxation, mom should think of books or other entertainment depending on her preference. Here’s a quick checklist:
- Change of clothes
- Toiletries
- Breastfeeding utensils (bra, pads, nursing pillow)
- Small change
What the child needs (checklist)
Maternity hospitals have in stock the things for the initial care of the newborn; so the baby immediately gets clothes, a cap and diapers provided by the clinic. Likewise, the clinic usually provides food and water bottles, as well as a bottle warmer. Nevertheless, some things should be packed for the baby: A change of clothes – here it is also important to think, for example, of clothes that the baby will wear in the first photos – in sufficient quantity. Preparations must definitely be made for the transport of the baby home. Warm clothes – especially a hat – are urgently needed, as well as a car seat or a sling or stroller if the baby is transported by public transport or on foot. If the baby was already accustomed to the music of a music box or similar in the womb, it may be advisable to pack the music box as well. Here’s a quick checklist:
- Change of clothes; clothes for first photos
- Warm clothes for baby’s first outing; important is a cap
- Transport container for the way home (car seat, baby sling).
- Music box
Important documents for the clinic
In addition, the expectant mother must remember some documents. Important is the maternity passport. The doctors and midwives take from the maternity passport information that may be important for the birth or for the initial care of the newborn. Many clinics offer the possibility of registering the baby directly on site, so that the newly delivered mother does not have to travel to the registry office. The family register is needed for this. Also important is the health insurance card, possibly a declaration of cost coverage from the health insurance company if a single room is used, and the like. Of course, all findings made during various preventive examinations (for example, during the “major organ screening”) should also be brought along.If the expectant mother’s admission took place before the birth – for example, in the case of a planned cesarean section – the admission forms must of course also be in the luggage. Here’s a quick checklist:
- Mother’s passport
- Family record book
- Health insurance card; confirmation of cost coverage
- Further findings
- Admission form
Pack in time
The better the preparation for the hospital stay, the more relaxed mother and child can spend the first time together. It is therefore recommended to start packing the hospital bag as early as possible. The expectant mother should also plan for a certain “waiting period”: although delivery dates can be determined precisely on a given day, they often take place one or two weeks before the expected date. Therefore, the rule of thumb is: it’s better to have a packed bag two weeks before the due date – this sometimes saves a lot of stress. Due to the large number of things the mother has to think about, not only should packing be started in good time, it should also be checked several times – if possible using a checklist – that all the necessary things have actually been packed in sufficient quantity.
