On this article, I won't be focusing on the preparation process but mostly on the baby's ETA. This is the time that the entire preparation process comes to fruition. The monthly doctor visits, the baby gear shopping, the baby proofing, and of course, the budgeting; all of these lead down to the same path, "the baby's coming!"
Of all the preparation that needs to be done, one of the most important is the baby bag or the hospital bag. This is the bag that you bring to the most important vacation of your life. There are a lot of available checklists for this but it all really depends on you. Sometimes, hospitals have their own checklists, some download from the internet, and some are from the traditional ones (what your parents tell you).
But one question that we really need to answer is: When to start preparing for baby's arrival?
For us, the answer to this is the start of the third trimester.
Here is the version that worked for us (and some things that we wish we included):
⦁ Documents
- These would include all important documents that you need like Insurance papers, IDs, Philhealth (government insurance), birth certificates (parents), marriage certificates, etc. This was actually a bummer for us. We only brought our IDs so lesson learned on this one.
⦁ Cash
- For us, this is the second most crucial thing that you need. In any hospitalization cases, cash is a requirement. Bring as much as you can or better yet, your ATM card.
⦁ Baby's first clothes
- For some hospitals, they require white tie-side shirts and white baby blankets or swaddles. Mittens, socks, and caps are also required. For the diapers, don't forget to bring the newborn size and as a suggestion, bring an entire pack and not just 2 or 3. The important thing here is to always have extra. For us, we stayed at the hospital for 5 days, so we had around 8 of each.
⦁ Parent's clothes
- This is also important. Unless you intend to buy clothes at the hospital which are way too expensive. Remember to bring comfortable clothes for the wife. So nightgowns or PJs. You can also bring robes and extra towels but sometimes, these are already provided by the hospital. Underwear... now this is one thing that you really need extras especially for the wife. Remember, she will be giving birth and most likely, she have some bleeding episodes for days. And don't forget, comfortable footwear. For the husband, chances are you'll be running in and out of the hospital so comfortable clothing is a must.
⦁ Medical and Health supplies
- For these, you need the basics. Toothbrush and toothpaste, toilet paper, alcohol (some hospitals require certain types of alcohol), cotton balls, bath soap, and most importantly, sanitary napkins for the wife (preferably "overnights"). The key in this, just like everything on this list, is to have extras.
⦁ Additionals
- Some hospitals require certain things like breast-pumps, abdominal binders, sterilized baby bottles (make sure to have the ones for newborns), etc.
Now, just a tip, if all of these can fit in one bag, do so. Better invest in a duffel bag than a back pack for this. The point of having one bag is the urgency. When the time comes, you can't choke and freeze! That's a big no-no. Everything will be quick so again, better have this bag ready when you reach the third trimester. And always have this within arm's reach, if applicable, in the trunk of your car.
Quick suggestion on this, better ask your doctor or the hospital where you're planning to stay for their hospital checklist to avoid any unnecessary trips.
Remember, being prepared will always pay off in the end. After all, this is for your newborn child!
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