Giving Birth

[guls]

Congratulations!!!!
Most important thing---camera,to get your baby's pictures.
your comfortable clothes,hair brush,tooth brush,sanitary towels,shampoo,cosmatics if you apply some,,,,,mum needs to look nice and beautiful.
baby's vests,grows,mittens,cap,light wooly cardigon,baby blanket,may be few diapers,but I guess they can be provided by hospital too.Depends for how many days you stay in hospital after birth but hospitals can provide you with few things like towels,baby nappies,sanitary towels,baby blanket etc. but it is still a good idea to carry your own.you need everything your own when you are discharged and you are coming home.

[Rip]

At least in Helsinki area (and I would assume the same apply elsewhere) they supply what you need during the stay in Hospital. You change to your own clothes on the day you return home so you should have one full set ready (maybe a spare shirt/body/pants if you're worried about leaks etc.) packed for the father to bring for your coming home.

(talking baby clothes here, although same basically applies to the clothes of the mother too. The hospital issued ones for mother are pretty terribly looking, but neither of us really cared at the time)

[Sara]

You actually need very little of your own. Make-up, toiletries and going home clothes you do need to take for yourself and of course going home clothes for baby. Any snacks or drinks nearer the time, some magazines can be handy and of course your camera.

Ive had 2 babies here and the hospital pretty much give you everything needed. Nighties, dressing gown, slippers, string knickers (good for the leakage at first). Towels, maternity/sanitary towels are kept well stocked in the toilet. They use Pamers nappies (at Jorvi anyway) and they have a good supply of baby clothes so you can use as many as needed I did need my own nursing bras but Ive heard of them being supplied somewhere else in the country.

I was in for a week with my first baby and was so sick of the nighties they give you (though i had taken my own robe and slippers as home comforts). So second time I did take some day clothes, dark soft bottoms and some t-shirts. I felt much better being able to get fully dressed the next morning.

[emimi]

I just had my maternity hospital prep class yesterday. They told not to take a lot of stuff since people have had things stolen in the wards.

The essentials are
Neuvola card / Prenatal care records
Robe and slippers - you can also use those provided by the hospital
Tooth brush, maybe some toileteries
A Nursing bra

Many people have also recommended to take a pack of your favourite sanitary pads and breast covers for dripping milk

And ofcourse a set of baby clothes for taking the baby home I thought of just packing these ready and ask the dad to bring these when it's time to go home. We're expecting twins so most likely our hospital stay will be way longer than usual.

[CH]

Camera was already mentioned, video camera, batteries for the camera and video camera (!!!!!). Check that there is enough space to be able to take lots of pictures and video. Mobile phone and mobile phone charger (I don't have any experience with maternity wards, so check if/how you are able to use them). Some favorite non-perishable snack and/or drink for you and husband/attendant? Journal to write in (laptop if you blog)?

Congratulations!!! And how exciting!!!!

[Sara]

There is little point taking breast pads, add a couple if you wish but dont bother with the whole box. It takes several days for your milk to come in.