Baby Out (Philippines)

Congratulation!

Your long wait is almost over! You're about to see the result of the combinations of you and your partner's genes :)

Obviously, I wrote this blog for all expectant mothers and/or fathers out there who in no time will welcome their babies in the real world :)

This is about what are most of the things that you should prepare for the moms and for the babies to bring in to the hospital when you are alreay due for delivery.

For Moms:

1. Clothes to wear in the hospital
- something comfortable, like a long dres you use when you're just in your house.

2. Pair of Slippers
- it will be a lot easier to go in and out of the bed and walk around the room with this especially when you want to take a bath.

3. Ponytail
- you will have difficulty combing your hair every now and then especially when you have an IV insertion already, and when you lie and get out of bed.

4. Underwear
- have something comfortable panties for you to wear for you to easily remove because there might be Internal Examination or when you're already in the Delivery Room.
-nursing bra and/ or a comfortable brassiere

5. Pen
-there will be papers to sign pre and/ or post delivery.

6. Toiletries
- shampoo, bath soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, bath towel, etc.

- you may also want to bring tissue (but some hospitals do provide this in their kit),
alcohol (more hygienic and easiest way to feel clean once in a while instead of going back and forth to the powder room to wash your hands)

7. Magazines or anything to keep you busy and/ or divert your attention.

8. You may also want to bring a pillow you like that would make you feel comfortable and feel at home.

9. Camera
- you may want to document your delivery or ask a delivery room staff to take photos of your baby once s/he's out (but some hospitals doesn't allow cameras)
you can use cellphone cameras instead and take photos of you and the baby once roomed-in.

10. Charger (and cellphone)
- you may recharge your phones to give updates to your relatives and friends, and whenever you need to communicate fast when processing your documents.

11. Others

-ID Cards, requirements for you to avail your insurance package like you or your partner's birth certificate.

- breast pump -> other Mom's will need enough stimulation before having enough milk for their babies.

-water container for hot water, because some Moms won't have enough milk on the first few days. The nurses will ask you to either ask a friend who is also a nursing mom for some breastmilk (preferably of a newborn baby) or buy a formula milk to give temporarily until there will be enough milk coming out from you.
You will need this to sterilize / so as to soak on another container the feeding bottle you will be needing. This is of course possible only with a waiver signed by the mother.

-makeup - you may want to put some when you are about to.leave the hospital so as to make you look good and feel good. :)
- have your nail polish removed days or a month before your due, you'll never know when will you give birth or if you are due for normal delivery or thru Cesarean Section.

For Babies:

1. Clothes for your baby:
-mittens
-socks
-bonnet
-big square cloth to wrap your baby with
-diaper
- shirt (longsleeves or sleeveless)
-long pants
*with extras

2. Most hospitals do give kits which includes:
-thermometer for the baby

3. Hygiene
-bibs
-wet wipes
-alcohol
- Body Wash for babies - a staff will also teach you on how to bathe your baby
- baby's bath towel

4. Comfort
-small pillow for the head of the baby
-small blanket or a square cloth used to wrap the baby can also be used

5. Others
- changing mat ( to avoid soiling the bed while changing diaper).
- other Moms wont have enough milk for their babies on the first few days, the staff will ask them either to ask for breastmilk from others (friends or from the other breastfeeding Moms; it would be preferably coming from a Mom of a newborn as well) or provide their own formula milk. Although, formula milk is prohibited in the hospital you may inform them about the inavailability of breastmilk and will be using formula milk for the mean time, and they will be letting you sign a waiver regarding such matter.

I hope this would somehow help you in your preparation for your delivery.

May you have a prepared and safe delivery. ^______^