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It's in the Bag
A Dad's Guide to Packing for the Hospital
By Jennifer Savedge
- Watch (with a second hand) – This is going to be your most critical piece of equipment, so be sure you have a good, reliable working watch or stopwatch ready to go. Labor is not the time to realize that your watch either doesn't have a second hand or you don't know how to use the stopwatch feature. Take a few seconds now so that you can be sure to count those seconds accurately later.
- Change of clothes and comfy shoes – You never know when you'll have to drop everything and head to the hospital. You could be in your Sunday finest or in the process of changing the oil in your car. Have a comfy outfit set aside so you at least know you won't have to rummage through the laundry pile when the time comes.
- Camera and film or video camera – Talk with your partner about what memories she would like captured and what she would just as soon forget.
- List of phone numbers and calling card/cell phone – You may make a round of initial phone calls when you first get to the hospital, and you will certainly make a few phone calls to announce the good news when the little one arrives. If you have all of your important numbers organized along with a calling card or cell phone, you won't waste time rummaging through an address book or running down to the pay phone.
- Money for coffee and cafeteria grub (including change for vending machines) – You may be able to count on family and friends to keep you nourished throughout the labor process, but if for whatever reason you are on your own, make sure you have enough money for a few cafeteria meals and some coffee. You may be there a while!
Gifts for your partner and your new little one – See Beyond Flowers: Gift-giving Ideas for the New MomWant to see more?
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