About 7 weeks left and my mind is turning to the list of final preparations to do in good time before the birth!
Given that 3 of the mummies-to-be who attend our Costa Mummies Meetups have given birth early I’m not holding out for a full 40 week term baby so whether my waters break in 3 weeks or 7 weeks, I want to make sure the designated hospital bag is packed and by the door!
Should the baby arrive early and we have to rush in and I had to make a list of essentials my other half should bring to the hospital I’m not sure I’d hold out much hope for the daddy-to-be finding the items I want in the bag and wouldn’t know where to look if I asked him to pick up “several of the newborn babygrows, a packet of nappies and the sexy maternity briefs”. (On this note I think it would probably be a good idea to take him through the different items of clothing already purchased so that he has an idea of what is what. Whilst he is incredibly eager, 100% enthusiastic and gives me no reason to doubt he will be the most doting daddy, most things baby related are still incredibly new to him!)
What Do I Need in My Hospital Bag??
Rather than turf you out whilst the umbilical cord is still steaming as they do in the UK, if you’re having a baby in Spain they will keep you in for 2 nights for a regular birth and possibly up to 4 days for a C-Section birth so the below list of essential items may seem like a lot but, if like me you’ve never stayed in hospital before you want to make those days as comfy as possible.
Hospital Bag Items So Far
iPod & earphones – to listen to that recommended calming music/baby lullabies/Iron Maiden – whatever it is that will get me through labour
Slippers – I’m sure I’ve read that you can get cold feet during labour so I’ll be digging out the pink fluffy slippers to see me through this one
Toiletries bag (to include lots of moisturiser) – I would happily forego everything else if I had my toiletries bag with me as I spend hours in the bathroom and am likely to have slight panic attack if toiletries on offer are not up to scratch.
Towel – (see above, might not like ones on offer)
Dressing Gown – fluffy long one or short lighter one?
Lip Balm – recommended by several people and as I usually have simultaneous supplies in the kitchen, study, handbag and bathroom I think I have this one covered
Lucozade & Aquarius
Maternity Pants – gorgeous disposable pants that are apparently a good item to have a) to avoid destroying your own with the tidal waves of blood that you can apparently expect after giving birth and b) because they have a higher waistband than your usual thongs which is recommended if you have to have stitches after a C-Section
Maternity Pads – as above. Had planned on taking 3/4 (not least because they’re so huge each one takes up about the same space as 5 nappies do!) but now think I may be in need of more than this??
Breast Pads – the milk may not come through for a few days but maybe I’ll need some of these anyway?
Camera with fully charged battery
1 pack chocolate caramel digestive biscuits – will I be able to wait a potential 7/8 weeks before cracking these babies open though?
Baby Changing Bag – ready-packed and filled with a supply of nappies, wipes and baby clothes to see us through the days in hospital
Man-Bag – Mike has been informed he needs to stock his own man-bag with snacks and a car mag or 2 to keep him entertained should I be in a while as once I go through the front doors, he has been told I may not let him leave my side again until we’re safely walking out with a baby in tow.
Suggested Additions To Hospital Bag!
Having put out some feelers in the My Baby Spain Facebook group I now have a few more additions to the list I think sound like sterling ideas!
Snacks – as suggested by several people on Facebook. Items include bananas, chocolate, biscuits and as I will have eaten the chocolate caramel digestives already put aside by then I shall need to add these to the list of items still to buy. Again.
Extra pillow – the Dream Genii may be accompanying me then as it seems like an absolute must-have from the Facebook comments!
Hair bands – I had read that hair bands are a must have so I better dig some out now!
Baby Wipes – will have some in the baby bag but I guess these will also be very helpful for when Mike (read: probably me) is mopping my brow during contractions
Hairbrush & lots of conditioner – will have toiletries sorted but must make a note to grab hairbrush at last minute as well
Evian spray – to help keep the cool, especially if giving birth in the warmer Spanish months as I hope to be
Ear Plugs – to drown out other mums/Spanish doctors/newborn (delete as applicable)
Thank you very much for the input and suggestions so far and if there’s any more to add feel free to add a comment here or drop it on to the My Baby Spain Facebook wall!
Alana
