Bring These Items to Welcome the Mother of Birth Later

Prepare all the necessary labor as early as possible. You can start packing your belongings to the hospital from the age of eight months or around 34 weeks. This needs to be done because there is always the possibility of an unexpected delivery in the weeks before the estimated birth day (HPL). Mother may need to carry two bags, each containing goods for the purposes of childbirth and one containing equipment for postnatal needs. So that Mother is not confused about what items need to be brought, let's check the following luggage list.

The First Bag Is Filled with the Purpose of Childbirth

The contents of this bag are removed before the mother underwent labor until later during the labor process. Here are a few items needed for these times.

Important documents that will later be needed by the hospital, include:
• Hospital registration documents. Mothers may need to book a room and register before the expected birth day, ask the hospital policy regarding this.
• Private health insurance card or BPJS.
• Delivery planning documents or delivery preferences.
• Pregnancy medical files that include pregnancy books or information about pregnancy development and medicines prescribed during pregnancy.
Other important items for personal use include: Money or debit or credit card. Don't forget to bring money in small fractions for parking rates and buy snacks.
• Cellphones and chargers, also bring a fully charged power bank in case the hospital does not allow it to charge the cell phone battery in the delivery room.
• Items that can help you feel comfortable and calm, such as pillows, prayer beads, photos, or others.
• Books or magazines to read while waiting for the active labor stage.
• The camera if you intend to capture this moment.
Mother's items needed during labor can also be put in this bag. The same type of item, such as underpants or toiletries, may also be required after delivery. Here are some of these items:
• Glasses when you wear it. Avoid using contact lenses.
• One or two nightgowns, sandals and socks. Choose clothes that are comfortable, loose, and prioritize short-sleeved to make it easier for nurses when checking blood pressure or putting an IV. Also make sure your mother has a button or gap in front to facilitate the process of breastfeeding after the baby is born.
• A few pairs of underwear.
• Hair ties.
• Toiletries that include brushes and toothpaste, soap, combs, lip balms, lotions and deodorants.
• Comfortable sandals will also be useful because Mother will usually be advised to take a walk.

The Second Bag Is Filled with Post-Delivery Needs

This second bag will be disassembled after the baby has been born. By separating the items that will be issued based on time like this, it will be more helpful for the Mother and accompanying person to find the items sought and prevent messy, neglected, or lost items.

Newborn items can be put in this bag, such as:
• Blankets for swaddling and diapers.
• Baby clothes, socks and hats to wear when returning home from the hospital. Don't forget to bring warm clothes or warm blankets, especially at night or when it is cold.
Mother's items for postnatal purposes can be separated from the previous bag and put into this bag, which are:
• Healthy snacks, such as fruit, nuts, granola snacks, or whatever Mother likes. After hours of labor, Mother may feel hungry, but unfortunately not appetite to eat hospital food.
• Comfortable and loose clothes for Mother to come home from the hospital. Do not choose clothes and pants with a body size when before pregnancy. This is because Mother does not necessarily become thin after giving birth. Initially, the mother may still look like she is pregnant.
• Nursing bras of the same size during the last trimester of pregnancy. Whether you choose to breastfeed your baby or not, a breastfeeding bra is absolutely necessary because the breasts tend to swell during the first few days after delivery.
• Breast pad to absorb milk leaks from the breast.
Items that need to be taken by the husband or the person accompanying the Mother include:
• Massage oil to relieve your back pain during labor.
• Snacks and drinks for the husband or accompanying person. Also prepare for Mother if permitted by the hospital.
• Stopwatch or digital watches or watches with seconds hands to monitor the time of contraction.
• Empty bags or extra plastic to carry gifts and so on because usually there is more luggage when leaving the hospital than when you enter the hospital.

Meanwhile, items that do not need to be taken to the hospital are jewelry and excessive amounts of cash or other valuables, drugs and vitamins, and breast pumps because you may not need them. But don't worry because if needed a breast pump will be provided by the hospital. Mother may be busy and hassles preparing for childbirth, but do not let the moment of happiness the birth of a new baby would be an irony for other children of the Mother. If you already have children, take a picture of them with you. That way, they can see it when visiting Mother at the hospital and are sure that her parents have not forgotten her. Do not forget to also give a small gift to your brother.