I did a Google search for “birth center packing list” since most of the lists I’ve found were for hospital births and, as most of us know, birth centers and hospitals are very different places. At the birth center, you won’t be there for 3-5 days (hallelujah!) and you can be free to roam, eat, and wear whatever you want. It’s going to be frickin’ awesome.
I found a packing list on a doula’s blog and at the bottom she mentions packing another bag to keep in the car in case you have to be transferred to a hospital. Whoa. I know that it isn’t a likely scenario but I have only thought about the possibility of going to the hospital once since switching to the birth center; during the tour of the BC the head midwife brought it up and told the moms-to-be (including me) about the various contingency plans and how most of them usually play out under normal-but-serious circumstances. When she explained the back-up plans I thought, “Cool, they have a plan in case something bad happens but nothing bad is going to happen.” My mom, who was with me during the tour, was obviously reassured because (at the time) in her mind there is no way that things can go smoothly without interventions and drugs. I think she has come around and is warming up to the idea of doing it the old fashioned way which is nice but irrelevant since it’s my birth, not anyone else’s.
ANYWAY, packing a separate bag for the hospital? Is this one of those times when you prepare for the worst or just assume that everything will be fine and NOT pack an extra bag? I don’t want to be ready in case something goes wrong. That might sound naive or stupid but it’s so important to me to be positive and anything involving the hospital is not positive (at least to me).
What would you do? Pack more stuff just in case?
I say go with your gut. I think you will be okay and in that rare case someone can go home and get you stuff.
I think that’s what I’ll do. Thanks!
I like reading your stuff, and I think you are getting better and better. A day without a new blog post is like a day without sunshine.
That’s awfully nice of you to say, dad. I wish you would start writing again. You’re a good writer and I enjoy reading your posts.
Thanks for linking!
I think it’s such a personal decision. Some of my clients want to be prepared with birth plans and bags for every possible scenario and others want to focus just on the ideal case. Either way is great, whatever makes YOU feel best.
In my case I packed my hospital bag before I hit the gestation we had our preemie (23 weeks) and happily unpacked it after our lovely home birth at term. I felt better being prepared, but for another mom that may distract her and cause unnecessary stress.
Best wishes for your upcoming arrival!!
Thank you, Heidi! I am notorious for over-packing (as are most women!) but I think I’ll leave the rolling suitcase at home and just take what I need for the birth center. I won’t need that other stuff anyway (gotta love positive affirmations!).