Preparations
it is important to be prepared for the birth of your child and while you may think 9 months is plenty of time, with doctor and clinic appointments, baby shopping and family visits, time can go quickly. Here are some things to consider for when the time arrives.
For a home birth
You usually receive a maternity package, even if you have indicated that you want (or should) give birth in the hospital.
- Make sure the maternity package is within reach. You can possibly display the package on a table.
- Make sure the cradle or crib is ready.
- Make sure the bed is clean and prepared
- Make sure you have a possible bedpan ready. Place it in easy reach.
- Make sure your house and corridor and well lit for the midwife.
- Make sure that the correct name is on the door and that the front doorbell is working properly.
- Make sure that the room where the baby will sleep after the birth is warm.
- A pair of warm towels.
- Garbage bags.
- Good lighting.
- Make sure that there is enough fuel in the car, if you unexpectedly have to go to the hospital (the midwife can also drive with her car).
What else you might need.
- Put a cooling element in the freezer. After the birth of the baby, the midwife may ask for a frozen cooling element. This is placed on the stomach to help with blood loss.
- Leave a sanitary napkin full of water and put it in a sandwich bag in the freezer. Bend it slightly so that it has the curvature of the pubic area. These can be used after birth to soothe swelling and pain.
- Even if you have decided to breastfeed, it is still useful to have a pack of bottle food at home.
- Have some music ready, it can really help.
- Have some glucose energy tabs ready.
- A camera.
- A chapstick for your lips.
For a hospital delivery
Make sure you have the following ready if you want to (or should) give birth in the hospital:
- Glucose tabs;
- your hospital card or ID;
- insurance papers;
- camera;
- a chapstick;
- toiletries (such as toothpaste, deodorant, etc.);
- clean clothes for yourself;
- slippers or slippers;
- clothes for the baby;
- a list of telephone numbers of people you want to call after birth;
- a suitable car seat for the baby;
- possibly something to read.
Also see these information articles: · Acupuncture · Doula · Hospital birth · Induction · Pain · Waterbirth
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