The clock is ticking and you are down to the wire. The anxiety is high, and you check your phone constantly – waiting for your baby mama to call screaming, “It’s happening!”. One thing that can put your mind at ease is packing your hospital bag. Soon to be mama has probably already “nested” her way through this about two months ago. And, she may have even packed your bag, but – just in case she didn’t.
15 things to pack in your hospital bag:
Phone/Camera (with lots of space!)
Clear out those SD cards and old photos. It’s time to make room for the thousands of photos you are about to take. Baby’s first breath, baby’s first hiccup, baby’s first poop, everything seems picture worthy with a new baby around. I personally recommend just taking your phone (it takes Instagram worthy photo’s and videos plus you can filter those sleepless eyes right out of the picture), less is more when it comes to leaving the hospital. However, if you are taking a camera make sure you have extra batteries.
Phone Charger
You will run out of phone battery with all the calls, texts, social media posts, pictures, and videos. So please, dad’s, don’t depend on the same person who is about to push a human out of her, to pack yours as well. If she does, you will have an extra – which inevitably one of your visitors will need when they visit.
The Essentials: Wallet, Insurance Cards, Hospital Pre-Registration, and Birth Plan
All of these, besides your wallet, will more than likely be packed during the final nesting by mama bird. However, this is your chance to wow her by packing your own copy of things. If you arrive and she forgot – boom – you go from Clark Kent to Superman, and then quickly back to non-important once the baby comes. But for a second, you were the hero.
Cash/Change
This is one you can pay attention to on the lovely hospital tour you are going to do. If that doesn’t get the anxiety pumping you might want to check yourself in while your there. Check if the hospital has a parking fee it could be cash only. Or, if the hospital has old-school vending machines (you know the ones you used to get your arm stuck in as a kid) – you will need change.
Toiletries
You will be in the hospital for at least 24 hours, if not longer. Bonus, there are showers. In the VERY likely chance you don’t get to use it (baby rooms are a revolving door of people), pack a toothbrush, toothpaste, mouthwash, deodorant, face wash, glasses and extra contacts if you need them. Oh, and some cologne so you don’t offend your visitors.
A Change of Clothes
This one has many faces. In some situations you could be blindsided by your departure to the hospital, in others it could be planned. I recommend packing one comfortable outfit that you can wear to help your laboring partner and potentially spend the night in. Bringing another outfit for the day in the hospital/ride home is a necessity for the same reason as above – your baby room is a revolving door of visitors, doctors, nurses, and in our case a quartet of carolers (December baby). If mama has said, even once, that she wants to get some nice hospital photos – BE PREPARED. Have a nice shirt to wear so you look Pinterest perfect (so you don’t look like you went through what you just went through). Some hospitals practically force these photos upon you so be ready.
Sweatshirt
Because all hospitals are cold, like winter classic outdoor hockey game kind of cold. But this is a laboring mom floor of the hospital so what do you expect right?
Medications
Although mama may have packed her own, a little extra never hurt. Getting prescriptions filled at the hospital pharmacy are costly. Also, bringing your own painkillers might not be bad. You’re about to be standing, sitting, and sleeping in the weirdest positions for the next 24 hours. You’ll be happy to take any drugs available by the end.
Snacks/Drinks
Mama bear won’t be able to eat before the birth of the baby and more than likely she won’t want to. That doesn’t mean dad shouldn’t. Keeping dad’s blood sugar level so he doesn’t pass out in the delivery room is VERY important. Every doctor will tell you that tending to Dad is the least of their concerns. Please, don’t be the pass out dad. I was warned by the doctors and nurses that they would let me fall and step over me until they were done tending to mom and baby. Eat, discreetly, when mama bear is distracted by other things. I recommend protein bars – simple, nutrient dense, and quick to eat.
List of People to Notify
This is a task dad is usually assigned months before the birth. I am sure you and mom-to-be have had numerous conversations about who you are going to notify that you are at the hospital. Who gets to come to the hospital? Who will be notified of the birth of the child? And, how quickly are we going to share our little bundle of joy on social media? All of this should be written down. Dad, you are in charge, bring the list and follow the directions. It’s much easier to type out what the mass text is going to say in advance and just fill in the blanks later.
Distractions
There will be downtime during labor and delivery. Crazy, I know. But, you will be amazed at how much is a waiting game, especially on the dad side. Distractions are great for mom, so be prepared with some of her favorite activities. However, she may not want distractions, may not want to talk, walk, touch, sleep, or move for that matter. In those moments, when she is trying to rest – or just get through the contraction – have something to distract you. I know you may want to help at all times but some moments helping is sitting quietly in the room. Take a book, a crossword puzzle, or something quiet that can be easily abandoned when mom needs you back at her bedside.
Comfortable Shoes
This relates to the above. Some mama’s want to walk around when they are in labor – for hours on end. This is not your time to quit on her, even if your going on hour 30. Pack a comfy pair of shoes and get ready to walk that baby out!
Playlist & Speaker
Music is soothing for mom, you, the baby, and the hospital staff. Take time to create an awesome playlist (click to check out mine here). If you are really into it, create a labor one and one for after the baby enters the world. Remember, quiet/relaxing is best.
Pillow/Blanket
Hospitals are not comfortable, nor are they there to cater to the dad. If you want to attempt to catch some shut-eye, pack your own pillow and blanket.
Push Present
If you have decided to do this tradition, don’t forget your push present at home. Bring it along, it will make the moment extra special.
Gameday will come up sooner than you think. Being prepared with your hospital bag packed and ready is just the start of you transitioning from dude-expecting-baby to The Dad Crew.