Bag to the hospital in 2022

Expectant mothers prepare for a trip to the hospital as if they were moving: they carefully choose what to take with them, put aside things that relatives will bring to her later, and sort through all this luggage more than once. 

In fact, fees are not easy. But Healthy Food Near Me will help. Together with Honored Doctor of Our Country, Professor, Chief Physician of the Moscow Maternity Hospital No. 4 Olga Sharapova we will tell you what should be in your maternity hospital bag in 2022 and give you useful tips.

It’s important

In the article, we talk about things that are most often required when entering a maternity hospital or are allowed for the comfort of mother and baby. But each institution may have its own rules. Therefore, we recommend that you clarify in advance in the maternity hospital where you plan to give birth, what you can and cannot take with you. 

What should be the bag in the hospital

Before you pack a bag for the hospital, you need to understand which one to choose. The main requirement for most maternity hospitals is that the bag must be washable. In some institutions, they turn a blind eye to ordinary fabric ones, but this is rare. There are maternity hospitals where only bags or clear plastic bags are allowed.

To avoid problems with registration in the hospital, it is worth clarifying the rules in the maternity hospital where you plan to give birth.

List of necessary things for mom and baby in the hospital

When entering the hospital, you need to have certain documents and things with you. Of course, there are emergencies. And that is why a bag with a set of essentials should be prepared in advance.

Documents Editing

Upon admission to the maternity hospital, first of all, you will be asked for documents. Prepare the entire package in advance so that you don’t forget anything in a hurry. We tell you what documents are needed.

• Passport or military ID. For foreign citizens, a notarized translation of the passport in and a document on registration in the territory of the Federation.
• OMS policy.
• SnilS.
• Exchange card. It is recommended to carry it with you throughout your pregnancy. In the maternity hospital, a map with the results of tests and examinations will be needed so that doctors can quickly adopt the right strategy for the conduct of childbirth. Also, the exchange card will help make sure that the woman is healthy and does not pose a danger to other mothers and babies in the postpartum ward.
• A copy of the sick leave. It can be useful if there are any complications after childbirth and you need to extend it. 
• Direction to the maternity hospital.
• Contract for paid childbirth (if any).
• If a partner birth is planned – partner’s documents. Which ones are required, you need to specify in a particular maternity hospital – everyone has their own rules on this matter.

It’s important

If childbirth has already begun, doctors will accept a woman in labor without documents. However, after that, the woman will not be in the ward, but in the observation department. Therefore, from 32-35 weeks it is recommended to always carry a folder with documents.

Mom’s clothes

Mom in the hospital needs, first of all, comfortable clothes. Everyone understands this, but in a hurry to get ready, you can forget the most obvious, it would seem, things. We remind you that it will definitely come in handy.

• Bathrobe and nightgown.
• Comfortable bra (preferably 2-3 pieces per shift). The best option is a special model for feeding. 
• Replaceable underwear (2-3 sets). Suitable for prenatal and discharge. 
• Rubber slippers. 

Jewelry is usually not banned, but you should not take them – you can harm the baby or injure yourself during childbirth.

Baby clothes

In the maternity hospital, as a rule, a set of diapers for newborns is issued daily, so clothing may not be needed. But some institutions still recommend preparing a kit.

• 3-10 slips or bodysuits, 3-6 vests and sliders.
• Hats or caps – 2-3 pieces.
• Anti-scratch mittens – 2-3 pairs.

Some maternity hospitals give out diapers, but if yours is not one of them, you will need to buy a small package for newborns in advance.

Hygiene products

For mom, you need to assemble a kit consisting of a mini shampoo, mini shower gel, soap, cotton swabs and discs. In stores you can find ready-made kits. Also useful:

• toilet paper, 
• towel, 
• toothbrush and paste, 
• deodorant, 
• comb and hair band, 
• razor (if you use one).

In the first days of life, a baby will only need baby soap and powder or diaper cream. Moreover, it is better to take a universal cream that is suitable for both the child and the mother (for nipples).

Other useful things

There are some items that are not usually listed on maternity hospital websites, but they can make your stay in the hospital easier.

• Garbage bags. Convenient if you do not want to constantly go to the common trash can.
• Toilet pads. Suitable for better personal hygiene.
• Cushion with seating hole. It will be useful for those mothers who cannot sit after childbirth. This usually happens after an episiotomy – an incision that helps the baby to be born.
• Bottles, if you need a mixture.
• Breast pump. Useful for excess breast milk.
• Pads on the chest from the flow of milk.
• Disposable diapers.
• Glycerin suppositories or a mild laxative. After giving birth, going to the toilet often becomes problematic, and that’s when a laxative comes in handy.

What things are useful in the antenatal unit

The antenatal department is otherwise called the pathology department. It includes expectant mothers with health problems and those whose pregnancy is more than 40 weeks.

They usually take with them the same as in a regular hospital.

• Comfortable clothes. It is advisable to take things with short sleeves and the ability to open the stomach 一 so it will be easier to go through the procedures.
• Change of linen.
• Personal hygiene products. Each chooses what is useful to her. The standard set includes: toothpaste and brush, shampoo, shower gel, towel and deodorant. 
• Rubber slippers. They are also useful for childbirth. 
• Water and snack. It is allowed to take almost all products to the pathology department except perishable ones. Therefore, the choice depends only on the preferences of the expectant mother.
• Things for fun: smartphone, books, crossword puzzles and the like. The main thing is to think about others. If you love listening to music, don’t forget to bring your headphones.
• Crockery: plate, mug, spoon. In some institutions, it is forbidden to bring dishes made of breakable materials with you – this point should also be clarified in advance in your maternity hospital.

If you stay in the antenatal ward for a long time, it is recommended to bring things for the antenatal ward with you.

What things are useful in the maternity ward

Usually, you are allowed to take a minimum of things into the birthing room:

• smartphone with charger
• a bottle of water;
• compression stockings or bandages;
• sometimes chocolate or biscuits are allowed (but they may not be allowed in some delivery rooms).

Any washable slippers are suitable as shoes. Clothes in the delivery room are not needed – they will issue a sick leave.

What things are useful in the postpartum ward

If the birth went without complications and everything is in order with the health of the mother and baby, they spend 3-5 days in the postpartum department. Therefore, it is not worth taking a lot of things. 

We tell you what is useful for a new mother.

• Healing cream for nipples. It will come in handy at first, when the child still does not know how to properly grasp the chest.
• Postpartum pads. Ordinary ones will not work, special ones are needed, since the discharge after childbirth is more abundant than menstruation.
• Disposable underpants. In some maternity hospitals, ordinary ones are also allowed, but it’s better not to risk it, otherwise they will offer not the most convenient hospital alternative.
• Personal hygiene items: toothbrush and paste, soap, shower gel and shampoo, cotton swabs and pads.
• Breast pads. Breast milk may leak or even spill. Gaskets will help protect yourself from discomfort, and clothes from pollution.

Clothes in the postpartum department will not be needed, they give out a special one, which is changed daily.

In this department, the mother is no longer alone – with the baby. Therefore, you need to prepare things for him.

• Diapers for newborns. Do not immediately take a large pack, as the baby may develop an allergy. Enough 20-30 pieces “on trial”.
• Hypoallergenic baby soap. 
• Baby clothes. Vests and bodysuits are best suited.
• Special diaper cream.

Some take pacifiers with them, but not all maternity hospitals allow them.

Usually the above is enough. If necessary, relatives will bring the missing.

What things will be useful at checkout

At discharge, you will need one set of things for mom and baby. 

First of all, you should take care of clothes. It is necessary to take into account not only weather conditions, but also the changed figure of a woman. After giving birth, few people return to the “pre-pregnancy” form immediately. Therefore, it is recommended to put in the bag those things that were worn during pregnancy. Makeup and, if permitted by the hospital, a hairdryer and/or hair straightener may also be useful. 

When choosing clothes for a child, special attention should be paid to weather conditions. 

Lettom 1-2 layers of clothing is enough. A set of cotton and fleece slips will do. 

In the spring and autumn you will need to add a demi-season overalls. 

In the cold season 一 winter overalls or a warm envelope.

In addition to clothing, you will need a cap, it will protect the baby from wind and sunlight. Additionally, if the weather conditions are favorable, you will also need a hat. The child does not need shoes, socks 一 at the request of the parents.

In addition to standard clothing, children’s stores sell special envelopes. Usually they are used only once 一 on discharge. As an option: choose from models that unfold into a blanket – they are more practical (for example, you can cover the child while walking).

What is definitely not useful in the hospital

In maternity hospitals, they are strict about what a pregnant woman brings with her. This is especially true for the birth department. 

Some women want to capture the wonderful moments of the birth of a baby, take a selfie with him, take different gadgets. Others, worried about their appearance, try to grab cosmetics. However, this is not the best idea. Firstly, cosmetics will almost certainly not be allowed into the delivery room, and secondly, during childbirth, there will definitely be no time for makeup. In general, nothing superfluous can be taken to the maternity ward, even hospital clothes are issued. 

In the prenatal and postnatal department, the rules are not so strict, but there are also certain prohibitions. Which ones, it is better to specify in the maternity hospital itself, but usually they are not allowed:

• food that can cause allergies;
• electrical appliances (except phone chargers);
• fur or fabric slippers.

And in general, you should not gain impressive luggage. If necessary, everything you need will be brought by the husband, friends or relatives.

Checklist for collecting bags to the hospital

Useful tips for collecting things in the hospital from obstetricians

一 It is better to collect all things in advance and arrange them in three packages: in the antenatal ward, the birth and after discharge, 一 says the head physician of the Moscow maternity hospital No. 4, Professor Olga Sharapova.一 It is better to bring the discharge package later. 

It is important to familiarize yourself with the list of permitted items, it is determined by each maternity hospital independently. Clothing in the hospital should be comfortable, easily replaceable and hygienic.

Things prepared in time will help not only to spend time more comfortably in the maternity hospital, but also save precious time, allowing you to survive it without unnecessary hassle and worries.

Popular questions and answers

Together with Olga Sharapova, the chief doctor of the Moscow maternity hospital No. 4, we answer the most popular questions about what to take with you to the maternity hospital.