Hospital Packing List - For Partners!

Anyone out there preparing for the big day of labor? If so, congrats! There is going to be another human being here soon! So many exciting emotions. And….so many things to do.

It is possible that right about now your mind is spinning with labor day “to-do” lists. Is the car seat installed? Hospital bag packed? Phone tree ready? But here’s another question for you… Is YOUR hospital bag packed? That’s right, a hospital bag just for you and your stuff. You might be thinking… “what’s the big deal, I’ll throw some stuff in a bag when it’s go time.…” Or perhaps you are a planner and like to have things organized, and therefore intrigued by this idea. Either way, we have compiled a short list of key items you could put together for yourself going into the big day.

So what is the purpose of putting together your own “partner hospital bag”? Well, let’s use Todd as an example. Todd is not a planner. He very much lives in the moment, which his wife, Annie, loves. Annie is a planner, and she put together a hospital bag weeks before the expected due date of their first baby. Todd was glad that he didn’t have to worry about those details. One brisk early morning around 4am, Annie’s water broke with intense contractions and so they decided quickly that it was time to go to the hospital. They jumped into the car, completely in the moment, and Todd forgot to grab a bag for himself - or put anything in it. They got to the hospital and Annie became very hot, so immediately she wanted the air in the room to be very cool. Ice cold, actually. Todd was happy to help but was wearing flip flops and a t-shirt, so he was freezing! After many hours went by, Toddy realized that he was hungry but did not want to leave Annie. He found himself daydreaming about the bbq chips, banana, and peanut butter and jelly sandwich that he left on the counter. A few hours after that, Annie decided that an epidural and a nap were a good course of action. Todd wanted to take a rest, too, but there was no extra pillow. He couldn’t sleep. Instead he found himself scrolling through Instagram and Facebook when his phone died! He almost cried because he forgot to bring his phone charger. He found himself daydreaming again…should’ve brought his Harry Potter book. So there Todd was, shivering in the cold, tired with no pillow, hungry with no snack, and nothing to pass the time while his wife rested. Should’ve packed a bag.

Don’t be Todd. Get the Partner Packing List below

Among the other millions of “to-do” list items you have on your plate… don’t forget to pack your own bag! You will be glad you did.

Remember, if you are at your best, you will put yourself in a much better position to be the best support person for her! You got this!

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