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Your
Maternity Bags
Well, you seem to have everything
ready for your baby. Now it is time to start thinking about yourself. You
can start by planning what you will need for labour, followed by the necessities
and of course a few indulgences for the maternity ward. And last, but not
the least, what clothes and things will you need to return home? So logically,
you should pack three separate bags to make things simpler.
The last one should be kept ready
at home so that your husband can fetch it for you on the day you return.
Make sure that you pack a few comfortable and loose clothes for yourself,
as your figure will take time to return to its original form. This bag
should also contain a blanket or shawl and a few clothes and nappies for
your baby, as you will not be able to take the hospital clothes home.
Now let us start thinking about what
you will need during labour.
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Talcum powder - to aid your husband
in massaging your back.
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A warm pair of socks - to avoid cold
feet.
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A sponge that you can suck on when your
mouth dries up.
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A thermos or vacuum flask - to be filled
with ice cubes, just before you leave home. You can suck on these during
labour or use it as a cold pack on your back during contractions.
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A plant sprayer or flannel - to cool
you off.
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A hot water bottle.
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A lip salve, chapstick or even petroleum
jelly - to combat dry lips.
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A napkin or towel as well as a few essential
toiletries.
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Your hairbrush and a band to tie back
long hair.
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Anything that will help you relax -
some music, playing cards, a game or a book that you can read between contractions.
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Something religious to help you get
through the pain - a favourite idol or picture, your prayer beads or books.
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A comfortable nightgown or T-shirt with
a front opening.
-
Glucose tablets.
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Nourishing snacks or munchies, so that
your partner does not have to leave you and rush out for sustenance.
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A camera - just in case you want to
record the most memorable day of your life.
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A nursing bra.
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A few disposable panties.
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Anything that may have been suggested
to you in the pre-natal class. Some hospitals allow beanbags for labour.
But do check with yours in advance.
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Phone numbers of important friends and
relatives.
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Last, but not the least, coins for the
telephone.
Now what should we put into your
maternity bag?
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A couple of spare nightgowns - with
a front-opening, of course.
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A pair of bathroom slippers and a bed
jacket.
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A pack of super absorbent sanitary napkins
- to get you through the first few days.
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2 pieces of flannel - to place as hot
towels on each breast and relieve engorgement.
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A couple of spare nursing bras.
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A few shaped breast pads - to absorb
leaking milk.
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Ear plugs or eyeshades - in case you
are sharing a room or are in a common ward.
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Essential toiletries - soap, shampoo,
toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, creams and make-up.
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A hairdryer - to dry your hair as well
as stitches.
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Tissues or a toilet roll.
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Nipple cream or a can of nipple spray
- to ease sore nipples.
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A few disposable underwear or dark cotton
panties.
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A rubber ring - to sit on in case of
an epsiotomy.
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Cooking salt - to heal stitches.
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Some reading material and music.
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Playing cards or any other game.
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Writing paper, pen and your address
book.
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Nappies for the baby - in case your
hospital does not provide them.
Well, that seems to cover it. It always
helps to talk to your nurses and doctors in advance to ask them what you
might need. Experienced friends and relatives are also a wealth of information.
In fact you could send in any points that we may have missed out. Hopefully
this should get you by. All the very best for a smooth landing".ooops"delivery
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