The birth is imminent and it's time for the hospital bag. But what do you need and what do you definitely not need? Explained in the video Katharina von Notdienst midwife more about the clinic bag.
Hospital bag: your packing list for your time in hospital
My midwife told me that I should be ready to go about four weeks before my due date. Ready to go meant packing my hospital bag, filling in the birth plan and reading through all the necessary documents from the hospital. Phew, that was a lot. But don't worry: our midwife Katharina and I (Julia, mum to 2-year-old Paul) explain exactly what you should pack in your hospital bag and what you can safely do without.
Bureaucratic matters for the hospital bag
The birth certificate for your child is applied for directly at the hospital. If you are married, you will need the Marriage/Marriage certificate, or certified copy from the marriage register, In the case of registered civil partnerships, the Civil partnership certificate be submitted.
If you are unmarried, you will need a Recognition of paternity and, if you want to have joint custody, also the Declaration of care. You should do this in advance at the youth welfare office, the registry office or a notary. You both need your Birth certificates. If you are expecting a sibling, you will also need the Birth certificate of the other children. If one of you was born outside Germany, you will need to have these documents translated and notarised. Depending on your status, you may also need to present your parents' residence permit (non-EU citizens). To obtain the civil status documents for your child, you will need both of your Identity cards, if these were issued in Germany, a copy is sufficient. Your Maternity passportand your Insurance card must also go in the clinic bag. If you have a Family register should also include this, because an entry is also made here.
If you have a Birth plan then pack this with you. When you register at the hospital, you will certainly have some Documents on the subject of "PDA" and "painkillers". You should have read these. You can fill it out and bring it with you. However, it is also sufficient if you only fill them in when you really need them.
One Hot water bottle or a Cherry stone bag help against labour pain in the back. Not every clinic offers this aid. Because there have been too many burns. However, this only happens if the hot water bottle has been turned into a "hot water bottle" or the cherry stone bag has been heated so much that it causes a scalding burn. Find out in advance whether your maternity clinic has a hot water bottle. If not, you can pack one yourself. Your partner can check for you whether the hot water bottle is at the right temperature. Then it will help. Then it is not dangerous.
Hygiene products for the hospital bag
A birth can take a very long time under certain circumstances, often lasting several days. So that you can freshen up in between and also after the birth, you should have a few Hygiene articles into the clinic bag.
TipBuy small samples at the drugstore so your bag doesn't get too heavy.
When buying products, make sure that they do not smell too strong. Your newborn could be irritated by strong fragrances, which could make it difficult to put them on for the first time. And synthetic fragrances are allergens. Your baby's immune system only starts to build up after birth. This should not be irritated and you should not buy any products that you are not familiar with. A new, intense odour could be unpleasant for you. The following hygiene products should be in your hospital bag:
Some women like to wear a little make-up on the way home, which is perfectly fine. Just pack mascara and a powder.
If you Contact lenses you should also wear your Glasses pack. You know better than anyone that contact lenses can become uncomfortable in the eye after many hours. A container and liquid for the contact lenses must also be included in the clinic bag.
Get the following from the drugstore Postnatal pads. You will need large pads to start with, which should preferably not have a plastic film. Our midwife Katharina recommends Strampelpeter fluff nappies*.
You will be given sanitary towels at the hospital and of course you can also take one with you for the journey home.
If you want to breastfeed, you should already have a few Nursing pads pack.
If you decide against breastfeeding in advance, you should ask in the delivery room of the hospital which milk powder is used there. This Milk powder should also be given at first. So make sure you already have a small supply. If you want to breastfeed, you don't need to worry about replacement food.
TipThe journey home from hospital is usually quite short. Your baby is sure to be asleep in the car and won't even be hungry. However, your partner should have everything ready at home so that your baby can have a bottle straight away.
Reading tip: The right equipment for bottle-fed babies
Clothing for the hospital bag
During labour, you may well feel the need to change your clothes several times. Comfortable clothing is therefore a must; avoid jeans and tight shirts. Jogging trousers and Leggings should have a comfortable elasticated waistband, Shirts should definitely be wide. So that you always have warm feet, you should thick socks pack. Non-slip Slippers to slip into ensure that you can move around the hospital safely.
Tip: I had bought a few Nightgowns and I was so happy! I had a caesarean section and everything on the scar drove me crazy. The nightgowns were nice and wide and comfortable. Nothing pinched.
Pack one in your clinic bag as well Bathrobeand a Nursing bustier. For the journey home from hospital you need Underwear. Old cotton pants are suitable here, which you should also wear during labour. You often get the not-so-pretty mesh pants at the hospital. If you prefer to wear your own underwear, pack a few more items in your hospital bag.
A jumper is not particularly practical during the birth, better are Cardigans or sweatshirts with zip. The cardigan is also a practical item of clothing after the birth, especially for breastfeeding at night. It prevents your shoulders from cooling down while breastfeeding. This supports your milk flow.
Tip: It is better to buy a nursing bra one or two sizes larger. Once the milk is in your breast, it will increase by at least one cup size. It is better to use a nursing bustier. It adapts much better to the different breast sizes after the birth.
Food for the time in the delivery room
Be prepared for the birth to take longer. The hospital canteen is closed, especially at night. But you are probably in hospital at night. A long labour does not work well without food. Therefore, pack something to eat that you can tolerate even during physical exertion. Dextrose and a ready-made soup that only needs to be infused with hot water can be really valuable for you. Nuts or trail mix give you strength. You can also chew these up quickly during breaks in labour. Do you love snacks? Then pack them. Biscuits, chocolate and muesli bars will keep you going during the hours you wait for your baby. Isotonic drinks are particularly helpful when labour pains are hitting your stomach.
Pack food for your partner too. After all, you will receive regular meals from the hospital. But your partner also needs something to eat. Because hungry is probably not a good help.
Baby things for the hospital bag
First things first: you can use bodysuits and other baby clothes from the hospital for your time in hospital. Your little one will be provided with everything they need. For the journey home, however, you will need your Baby clothes. Of course, the Baby car seat for the car should not be forgotten. Depending on the time of year, your sweetheart may need a thick Capone Wool suit and a Romping bag. Even in warm temperatures, you should wear a thin hat and a thin Ceiling pack for the journey home.
TipTry out how the baby car seat is fastened in the car before the birth. Quite a few new fathers lose their last nerve the first time they strap their baby in.
You can create a Cuddly blanketa Cuddly toy or a Music box for your baby in the hospital bag. Your baby does not need a dummy in the first few days.
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Get our complete checklist for your hospital bag here. Our midwife has put together a list of topics for you:
- Useful things for the birth
- Required documents
- Useful things for the postpartum period
- Useful things for your partner
- Useful things for the baby
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What else you need in your hospital bag
Your partner should also pack a hospital bag. They may have to be with you for many hours and won't always be able to do much. He should therefore have enough Reading material have with him. Of course he should also have some Hygiene articles and Change of clothes pack. A toothbrush not only helps to freshen your breath. Brushing your teeth also cheers you up.
Each of you should have a Charging cable for the mobile phone. Perhaps the mobile phone photos are enough for you. Otherwise a Camera bring back fond memories of your little treasure's first few hours.
Take everything with you that helps you to feel cosy. This boosts your oxytocin production. This can increase your Favourite music, your Cosy cushion, scented oil, massage oil or something else personal.
TipFind out beforehand how you can play the music in the delivery room. In any case, you should not have to stream the music. The smartphone must be set to aeroplane mode in the delivery room. Mobile phone radiation can interfere with the CTG device. So download it to your mobile phone beforehand.
The nursing pillow can be a useful support for your baby in the hospital bed. It is narrow and some mums worry that their baby might fall out of bed. In fact, the baby is already quite agile and needs to be kept from rolling off immediately after birth.
Tip: If you take your nursing pillow with you to the clinic, get a replacement cover beforehand. Then you can immediately put the pillow in your own bed at home while the actual cover waits for the next wash. The new cover will prevent you from transferring germs from the clinic to your own bed.
For the time after the birth Card and board games pass the time in hospital. If you like, you can buy a Diary to write everything down. It's certainly a nice memory.
You should leave this at home
You should not take valuables or large amounts of cash into the hospital. The delivery room area is fairly well guarded. Nevertheless, parents' belongings are often lost. Only take what you really need with you. Then nothing valuable can be stolen from you.
