About 90 percent of all babies born in Germany are delivered in a clinic; around two thirds of women spend more than two days in the clinic after giving birth. In the case of caesarean sections, the length of stay is slightly longer and is around five to seven days. The stay in the clinic must therefore be well prepared, so it cannot hurt to timely Clinic bag for childbirth to pack.
The time will come soon - make preparations
In addition to choosing the maternity hospital, intelligent packing is the Clinic bag for childbirth one of the most important preparations for the first time after childbirth. In order to actually have the most important things with you, extensive preparations must be made.
Depending on the length of stay of mother and child, the things that mother and child need for the first few days only differ in scope - documents for the clinic, a transport container for the baby for the journey home and a change of clothes for mother and child is in each Case needed.
This is what the mother needs (checklist)
Depending on the type of delivery (spontaneous delivery or caesarean delivery) and depending on the planned length of stay, the demands on the things that belong in the clinic bag are relatively the same; they differ essentially only in scope.
In the case of an outpatient birth, i.e. the mother leaves the clinic promptly after the birth and the initial care of the baby, the mother primarily needs fresh clothes. Underwear, a wide T-shirt and comfortable pants are sufficient.
If the length of stay after the birth is several days, other everyday items are required in addition to a change of clothes and toilet utensils. Slippers and a comfortable sleeping suit and / or house suit are essential. Also one or more nursing bras and inserts and possibly a nursing pillow.
If the delivery takes place by caesarean section, the mother should definitely remember that she will not be able to wear elastic pants immediately afterwards. Nightgowns or loose-fitting trousers worn as low as possible belong in the clinic pocket!
In many clinics, small change is required to use the shower or coffee machine. And last but not least, the mother should think of books or other entertainment for her own relaxation, depending on her preference.
Here is a quick checklist:
- Change of clothes
- Toilet utensils
- Breastfeeding equipment (bra, pads, nursing pillows)
- Change
This is what the child needs (checklist)
Maternity hospitals have the supplies of first aid for the newborn; so the baby gets clothes, a hat and diapers from the clinic immediately. The clinic also usually provides food and drinking bottles as well as a bottle warmer.
Nevertheless, some things should be packed for the baby: Change of clothes - here it is also important to think of clothes that the baby should wear in the first photos - in sufficient numbers. It is important to make preparations for the baby to be transported home.
Warm clothes - especially a hat - are just as urgently needed as a child seat for the car or a sling or stroller when transporting on public transport / on foot.
If the baby has already got used to the music of a music box or something similar in the womb, it may be advisable to pack the music box as well. Here is a quick checklist:
- Change of clothes; Clothes for first photos
- warm clothes for baby's first outing; a hat is important
- Transport container for the way home (car seat, sling)
- Music box
Important documents for the clinic
The mother-to-be also has to think about some documents. The mother's pass is important. Doctors and midwives take information from the maternity card that may be important for the birth or for the initial care of the newborn.
Many clinics offer the possibility of registering the baby directly on site so that the newly born mother does not have to drive to the registry office. The family register is required for this. It is also important to have the health insurance card, possibly a declaration of cost coverage from the health insurance company when using a single room and the like.
Of course, all the findings that were made during various preventive examinations (such as the “major organ screening”) should also be brought along. If the mother-to-be was admitted before the birth - for example in the case of a planned caesarean section - the admission sheets must of course also be in the luggage.
Here is a quick checklist:
- Mother pass
- Family register
- Health insurance card; Confirmation of assumption of costs
- further findings
- Admission sheet
Pack in time
The better the preparation for the hospital stay, the more relaxed mother and child can spend their first time together. It is therefore advisable to start packing the clinic bag as early as possible. The mother-to-be should also plan a certain “waiting period”: Although the delivery dates can be set exactly on the day, they often take place one or two weeks before the calculated date.
The rule of thumb therefore applies: it is better to sit on a packed bag two weeks before the appointment - this can save a lot of stress. Due to the multitude of things that the mother has to think about, packing should not only be started in good time, it should also be checked several times - if possible using a checklist - that all the necessary things have actually been packed in sufficient quantities.
