Checklist of Things to be Prepared and Taken During Child Delivery

Your life is sure to undergo a major change after your child delivery. You couldn't have much time for yourself as you did before. Also, the newborn has to be welcomed to the world with utmost warmth and care. You will not find time for preparation of anything when you have got your labour pain and after the birth of the child. So, it is wise to make preparations in advance, may be a week or two before the expected date of birth. Here is a checklist of things you should prepare for your delivery (this is based on the Indian method):

•  Take some old cotton dhothies or if you don't have one, get some good plain cotton or linen material. Wash it well in a mild detergent. Cut it into square pieces of 40 cm x 40 cm. Hem the borders. If you are giving it to the tailor for hemming, then it is good practice to get the cloth pieces washed again. Store these in small baskets or bags. This is to be used as a nappy for the just-born baby.
• An old night dress to be worn during your delivery time. Most of the hospitals and nursing homes give a nightie during delivery these days. But it is always better to have one handy.
• A kiosk or a flask cleaned with hot salt water.
• Any pills that you take regularly, pain killer balms.
• If you reside in a cold town or city, it is better get a pair of woolen clothes for the baby.
• In our custom, the new-born baby should not wear a new dress until the 10th day or Punyavachanam (naming ceremony of the baby). So, we usually get some old dress from another baby of the household, or your friends' baby. Keep that ready too.
• Your cosmetic kit, with minimum cosmetics in it (soap, your daily cream, comb, hair oil, bindhis).
• A pack or two of sanitary napkins of the brand that you usually use. You may even need more than it is mentioned here, as you will bleed heavily after child birth. Do not worry. It is quite common.
• Baby wet-wipes. This comes in handy to clean the baby after a nappy time or when the baby has puked.
• Things that your caregiver may need.
• Keep some change handy to tip the nurse staff at the nursing home.
• If you have any specific religious sentiments, do not forget to take the picture of your favourite God or other holy things.

"Birthing is the most profound initiation to spirituality a woman can have."
---Robin Lim