The Hospital Stay for Delivery

The apprehension and excitement aside, you have to prepare for the delivery. Literally. The mental prep differs from patient to patient. I was quite anxious, despite calming speeches by everyone in my family, despite my husband being a gynecologist, despite being a doctor myself and having assisted deliveries and C sections before. Nothing, and I shit you not, nothing will prepare you for the arrival of your baby. Perhaps I was one of the lucky ones, fully awake during the C section and there being absolutely no pain. [The next few days were achy and stuff, but you forget that in the excitement of the baby, your family's happiness, the joyful whatsapp updates you get to send among other things! I was just dying to get my hands on my phone and share photos of my baby with my inner circle of friends!]

Because I used to keep jumping out of anxiety (I would literally hop from one foot to the other) in my doctor's OPD, she kindly gave me another new mum's number. And this other patient (we're friends now!) took care of quite a bit of my anxiety. Her numero uno advice to me was to 100% trust my doctor. And I did. She also shared a list of things I would need for my hospital stay- since we were both going to deliver in the same hospital under the same doctor.

Somethings to prepare you for your hospital stay during delivery-

I got this organizer online and its super handy to carry to work as well!

• Your bag should contain:
• 1 dress set : something loose fitting and comfortable to wear when you are discharged and get to go home (yay)
• 4 Maternity underwear: These are super comfy panties- huge and soft (I have no idea how people go back to wearing normal panties after wearing these!)
• Bathroom kit: you'll probably be asked to take a bath a couple of hours before the surgery- although you've to wear hospital clothes till you're in the hospital
• Face wash
• Soap/ Body wash
• Shampoo
• Hair band/ clutch clip- whatever you use
• Comb (for the last photo with the pregnancy glow before you deliver)
• Maternity pads
• For the first few days, at least till you're in the hospital, they will probably use hospital grade maternity pads
• And instead of buying maternity pads you can use xxl or the large sized sanitary pads once you get home
• Face napkins/ bath towel
• Nipple shields: again these you can buy if you're having difficulty feeding your baby and only after the advice of your nurse or doctor. A kind nurse at the hospital took pity on my crying baby and a frustrated me and advised nipple shields to aid the feeding process
• Breast pump: if needed
• 2 Shawls: keep spares because:
• You're going to have leakage and dark colored printed shawls help in preventing this embarrassment (there is nothing to be ashamed of, its natural, but in the beginning you may feel embarrassed when the front of your dress starts showing wet patches. It happens to everyone, and in case it does happen, take it in stride and laugh it off! Later however, you can use nursing bras and breast pads) 
• You need spare ones if the one you're using has become wet because of leakage or because the new born decided to throw up on it
• Your baby's bag should have:
• 2 Baby blankets
• 2 sets of clothes (nothing is going to fit the baby, it is going to be loose but nevertheless
  , the baby must be kept cosy, comfortable and warm)
• preferably a button full sleeved shirt and pants
• 2 sets of cap, mittens and socks combo
• 2 muslin clothes or soft clothes to wrap the baby in
• Baby pillow (the dented ones)
• Diapers/ wipes (depending on whether it is provided by the hospital or not)
• Papa's bag should contain:
• 2 changes of clothes
• For the overnight stay and if the baby throws up on you (just in case- reading this you might think babies throw up all the time!)
• 1 towel
• 1 grooming kit (shaving kit/ comb/ hair oil/gel etc.)
• Phone charger (The visitors or family might need it, and you most certainly will to keep informing people)
• Power bank
• Other important stuff
• Hospital files 
• Hospital card (if any)
• Documents needed for financial dealings at the hospital
• Many hospitals arrange for the birth certificate of the child. So it might be best to choose a name and supply it when asked so the hospital can arrange fo the birth certificate instead of you having to run around for it- especially with all the excitement and chaos that will surely ensue once you return home

Don't dread your hospital stay. Think of the whole thing as an adventure. And try and enjoy it as much as possible!

May you have a comfortable and safe hospital stay!