As I approached my final prenatal appointment, the doctor informed me that my baby is now the size of a cantaloupe and weighs more than many toddlers, making it clear that I could go into labor at any moment—even though my due date is still a week and a half away. Thus, I began to pack my hospital bag, a task that necessitated careful thought and planning.
First, I gathered essentials: my phone and charger, toothbrush, toothpaste, lotion, deodorant, and hairbrush. Realizing I use these items daily, I promptly removed them from the bag.
Next, I added a cozy oversized hoodie, slipper socks, and a pair of XXL jogging pants specifically bought for after the birth. Those jogging pants looked incredibly comfortable (and seemed like they would accommodate my cantaloupe-sized belly). I decided to wear them along with the hoodie for comfort.
To prepare for potential dissatisfaction with hospital food, I packed some snacks: granola bars, crackers, chocolate, and a bottle of water. Then I worried about food spoilage if left in the bag for too long, leading me to eat the granola bars on the spot.
I thought about bringing reading material for downtime: “What to Expect When You’re Expecting,” parenting magazines, Us Weekly, a sudoku book, and some Oprah recommendations I had yet to read. However, I recalled that during my last hospital stay, I spent most of my time either sleeping or negotiating for pain relief. Consequently, I removed the heavy books and opted to keep Us Weekly for light reading.
I also considered packing items to help me relax during labor: aromatherapy candles, soothing music on my iPod, massage oil, and a lighter. My partner reminded me that I was scheduled for a C-section, which made some of those items unnecessary.
Next, I included my insurance card, ID, and some cash—important for my final appointment, where I expected the doctor to inform me that my baby was now the size of a watermelon. I put those back in my wallet.
After snacking on the crackers from my bag, I remembered to pack an outfit for the baby to wear home. I found a sleeper with a small stain, making me search for another. I loved that first outfit despite the blemish, so I decided to wash it when I got home. My jogging pants, too, would likely need a wash after acquiring chocolate and cracker crumbs.
While trying to locate my camera for newborn pictures, I realized I hadn’t used one in ages and was generally unenthusiastic about how I look in photos. Yet, I figured I would want pictures of my baby—unless she came out resembling Hume Cronyn from “Cocoon.”
Eventually, I found more chocolate while still unable to locate my camera. If my water broke tonight, my bag would consist of:
- Slipper socks
- Us Weekly
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Summary:
Preparing for childbirth involves careful packing of essentials, snacks, and comfort items. It’s wise to consider the likelihood of needing certain items based on past experiences and personal preferences. By ensuring you have everything ready, you can alleviate some stress as you approach this significant life event.
Keyphrase: Preparing for childbirth
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