Pack the clinic bag: This overview will help you

From the 36th week of pregnancy
Clinic bag already packed? Pregnant women shouldn’t forget these things

No later than the 36th week every pregnant woman should pack her clinic bag

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Even if the gynecologist determines the approximate due date, the chances are high that your child will be born on another day. It is all the more important to pack the clinic bag in good time – before it gets hectic in the end.

Just under five percent of all women have their baby on the day their gynecologist predicts, the remaining 95 percent give birth to their children two weeks before or two weeks after the calculated due date. This is not a bad thing and is part of the normal fluctuation range, but it can quickly degenerate into stress if the contractions suddenly start – and the clinic bag has not even been packed. Here it is recommended that pregnant women no later than the 36th week of pregnancy should have gathered everything they need for the delivery room and the first few days after the birth. In the following checklist for parents-to-be, the most important things for the upcoming hospital stay are listed again in detail.

1. These documents must not be missing

In order for a newborn to receive its birth certificate at the clinic, you must either have your marriage certificatepresent or – if you are not married – your birth certificates and, if necessary, a paternity certificate. If you have a family log book, you must also pack this in the clinic bag as well as the following important documents:

  • Mother pass
  • Identity card
  • Insurance card
  • Allergy passport (if available)

2. You will need these things in the delivery room

When you go into labor at the latest, you will be very grateful for the ready-packed clinic bag: So that your stay in the delivery room can be made as pleasant as possible for you, you should always wear comfortable clothes – otherwise the hospital will wear a classic nightgown for you Provide. So it’s better to take the following with you:

  • one or two comfortable shirts to change (you will sweat a lot during childbirth)
  • a bathrobe (if the baby is a long time coming)
  • warm socks (for cold feet)
  • open slippers (to slip in)
  • a Nursing Bra (very helpful after the birth)
  • a grease stick (for your lips, which can dry out from the many breathing exercises)
  • a hair tie (for long hair)
  • some food (for long waiting times)

3. These hygiene articles support personal hygiene

Since you cannot know in advance how much time you will actually spend in the hospital, you should pack the most important hygiene items that you will need for daily personal hygiene, such as:

  • toothbrush and toothpaste
  • Cream for the face and body
  • Deodorant
  • shower gel
  • Shampoo and conditioner
  • hairbrush
  • Nursing pads
  • Tie

4. These things are useful and practical

So that you can keep friends and family up to date, you should pack your charging cable in the clinic bag in addition to your smartphone. You can use your phone to take your baby’s first photo, but a good SLR camera can usually take better photos. Another useful and practical companion is that Nursing pillowthat you can use before, during and after the birth to optimally support your body and your baby.

5. Your baby needs this basic equipment

After the birth, your newborn will be given everything they need in the hospital. However, if you want to leave the clinic, it is your turn to equip your baby with everything they need. Starting with clothing and changing clothes to safety cradles for your car. So that you are prepared for all eventualities on the journey home, we recommend the following basic equipment for babies:

  • Baby safety seat (for the car)
  • one or two bodies (size 50 or 56)
  • a warm jacket (in autumn or winter)
  • a Onesie
  • a cap
  • warm socks
  • small blanket
  • if necessary, pacifiers and bottles

6. These items belong in the diaper bag

Once the clinic bag is packed, you can pack the diaper bag for your unborn baby. Depending on how long your journey home takes, a mishap can quickly happen on the way. For this reason, you should carry all the essential items that you need for diapering with you – from the changing mat to wet wipes and plastic bags (for the dirty diapers if there is no trash can around). So that you don’t experience any nasty surprises, the following things should not be missing in the diaper bag:

  • Changing mat
  • Wet wipes
  • plastic bags
  • Diapers (at least two)
  • Burp cloths
  • Washcloth
  • handkerchiefs

7. Buy a diaper bag: You have to pay attention to this

There is no question that a diaper bag must first and foremost be practical. Nevertheless, you should think carefully in advance which one model is right for you. Especially if you want to use the bag even when it is no longer needed for your child, you are spoiled for choice: For example, if you prefer large handbags in principle Shoppers or Shoulder bags well suited – however, you are more of that Backpack typeIn order to have your hands free, you should opt for a diaper bag that you can also carry on your back. This is especially useful if you often carry your baby around your body in a cloth – then a shoulder bag would only be a nuisance.

Furthermore is also the Clasp crucial if you have to change your child without further ado. Especially when your baby does not want to lie still and you have to hold it with one hand, zips can be very cumbersome. Magnetic fasteners, snap fasteners or Velcro fasteners are the better choice here, so that you have all the important things (diapers, wet wipes, pacifiers, drinking bottles, etc.) that are in your pocket ready to hand as quickly as possible.

That is at least as important material the diaper bag. If you are looking for a fancy Leather model you should be aware that although the bag is very robust, it is also prone to stains. In addition, the material has to be impregnated regularly to protect it against rain. Diaper bags made of easy-care materials such as cotton, PVC, nylon and polyester are better suited here. They have the advantage that they are all washable or water-repellent.

Many diaper bags are included equipmentsuch as a changing mat (padded and washable), a bottle warmer or a small bag that you can close. Depending on which model and brand you choose, the number of parts in the overall package varies. It is therefore worth taking a close look at the accessories before deciding on a diaper bag.

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