【table of contents】
Hello, this is POMULU ♪
We've been announcing this little by little on Instagram and other platforms, but POMULU is currently developing new items !
The new product in question is a bag!
Of course, it's not just a regular tote bag. All of our staff are working hard to make it a bag that is full of POMULU's unique charm and features !
We plan to gradually reveal the full details of the new products on our official Instagram , so be sure to check it out!
Speaking of bags, they have so many different uses: commuting, shopping, traveling...
This time, I would like to think about the ` `labor bag/hospital bag '' you need to prepare for childbirth.
For first-time mothers-to-be, there are probably many questions about labor bags and hospital bags.
" What are some really useful items to have in your bag? "
What kind of bag is easy to use?
To answer these questions, we conducted a survey of experienced mothers .
We've collected many valuable experiences, so let's think together about what labor bags and hospital bags are truly useful, while also hearing the real voices of experienced mothers !
Preparing for childbirth can be very exciting, and I hope this article will be of some help to you.
What is a labor bag/hospital bag?
As your delivery date approaches, you'll likely see the words "labor bag" and "hospital bag" on your list of things to prepare. First-time mothers, in particular, may wonder, "Why do we need separate bags for labor and hospital stay?"
Both bags are necessary for preparing for childbirth, but they are actually used at different times.
Labor Bag
A labor bag is a bag that you use to quickly head to the hospital when labor begins or your water breaks . It is designed to be carried by one person, and contains only the bare necessities.
We recommend a hospital bag that is lightweight, has a certain amount of capacity, and has a wide opening so that you can quickly take out what you need.
Hospital bag
A hospital bag is a bag that contains the items you will need for your stay in the hospital from the time of birth until you are discharged . It tends to be a little larger than usual, including pajamas, toiletries, baby underwear, and clothes for when you leave the hospital.
We recommend a large hospital bag that can hold a lot of items, assuming that your family will bring them with them.
Since the times when you need to use them are different, it is recommended that you prepare them in two separate bags in case of an emergency.
Sudden contractions or water breaking can often leave you feeling panicked. In such cases, having a labor bag with the bare necessities packed in will help you stay calm and leave quickly.
Should I keep my labor bag and hospital bag separate or together?
Your labor bag and hospital bag don't necessarily have to be separate.
For example, if you know in advance when you will be admitted to hospital, such as if it is a planned hospitalization, or if you have a support system in place from your family, it may be smoother to keep all your belongings in one bag.
Discuss with your family which method is most convenient for you.
When should I get ready?
Labor could begin at any time, so it's a good idea to start preparing by around 34-36 weeks into your pregnancy, before you enter the final month of pregnancy.
As you approach your due date, you will likely find it difficult to move around as you wish, so it's best to start preparing little by little while you're feeling well and with plenty of time to spare.
What's in your labour bag?
The items you put in your labor bag are mainly those you will need in the labor and delivery room from the start of labor until delivery. The key is to pack the bare minimum of items in a compact package so that you can head to the hospital with just these.
Basic Labor Bag Packing List
First, let's go over the basic items you should have in your labor bag.
-
Health insurance card
-
Maternal and Child Health Handbook
-
Medical card
-
signature stamp
-
Cash (lots of coins)
-
smartphone
-
Smartphone charger, mobile battery
-
Bottled drinks
-
Light snacks (jelly drinks, small snacks, etc.)
-
face towel
-
Postpartum shorts
-
Postpartum pads (your hospital may provide these)
-
Pajamas (front-opening recommended)
[Ask experienced moms!] What items were really helpful during labor?
We asked experienced moms about the items that really helped them during labor!
Please use this as a reference and adjust the contents of your labor bag accordingly.
Plastic bottle straws
The most popular item was a straw that can be attached to a plastic bottle. It seems to be a must-have item for many moms.
"Drinking was essential to combat labor pains. A straw for my plastic bottle was a must-have item so I could drink in any position ."
"It was very helpful for staying hydrated during labor and after giving birth when I couldn't get up properly ."
Drink plenty of bottled drinks
You'll get thirstier during childbirth than you might imagine. It's hard to find time to go shopping during labor, so it's a good idea to prepare plenty of supplies.
"Anyway , I'm very thirsty from fighting labor pains, breastfeeding after giving birth, and being tired ..."
Mobile battery
"I wish I had brought a mobile battery so I wouldn't have to worry about where the power outlet is ."
What's in your hospital bag?
A hospital bag is a bag packed with items you will need for your stay in hospital from the time of birth until you are discharged.
The length of hospital stay will vary depending on the hospital and method of delivery, but it is generally around a week, so you will need to bring more luggage than with a labor bag .
Your body is more delicate than you might imagine after giving birth, so make sure you have everything you need ready so you can spend your time in hospital as comfortably as possible.
Basic hospital bag packing list
First, let's take a look at the basic items you should have in your hospital bag.
Don't forget to bring multiple pairs of pajamas, underwear, and other clothing depending on how often you'll need to wash them while you're in the hospital.
-
Open-front pajamas
-
Postpartum shorts
-
Nursing bras
-
socks
-
Eco bag (convenient for carrying laundry)
-
Breast pads
-
Skin Care Set
-
Towels (face towels, bath towels)
-
Mom's clothes when she left the hospital
-
Baby clothes and swaddling cloths for when you leave the hospital
-
Gauze handkerchief
-
cosmetics
-
Documents (it would be useful to have a file to store the birth certificate and other documents received from the hospital)
-
writing utensils
[Ask experienced moms!] What items were really helpful during your hospital stay?
We asked experienced moms about the items that were really helpful during hospital stays.
Please use this as a reference to make your hospital stay as comfortable as possible.
Furikake
"It may depend on the hospital food, but the amount of rice is large compared to the amount of side dishes, so it would be good to have something to go with the rice."
Drinks, snacks
"Sports drinks, nutritional supplements, ready-to-drink jellies, snacks, etc. We were only given one drink per meal, and although there was a vending machine, it was often sold out . And no matter how much we ate, we would always get hungry and crave something sweet ."
"After giving birth, the pressure on my stomach was gone, and combined with breastfeeding, I was very hungry , so I was glad I had brought some snacks with me."
Donut Cushion
" My wound was sore after giving birth , and although the hospital provided donut cushions, they were on the hard side, so I'm glad I brought a softer donut cushion with me."
Relaxation goods
"After the baby was born, I was so excited that it was difficult to relax , so it was good to have a relaxing eye mask and other relaxation products that I'm used to using."
instant camera
"It was good to have an instant camera so I could take pictures of my newborn baby ."
Swelling-reducing socks
"I didn't realize the swelling would be this bad. It was so painful ... I definitely need to bring it!"
Nipple care cream
"With my first child, I wasn't able to breastfeed properly and my nipples got sore, so I'm glad I had this."
earphones
"If you're going to watch TV in your hospital room, it might be a good idea to bring wired earphones ."
extension cord
" The outlets may be far from the bed ."
S-hook
"It was very convenient to be able to hang luggage and bags on the edge of the bed ."
Alcohol disinfectant wipes
"We also had disinfectant sprays installed in the hospital, and we kept them ready so we could disinfect at any time ."
Various care products
"You'll be hit with extreme fatigue and hormonal imbalance , so it's a good idea to prepare a variety of care products. ( Once you're discharged from the hospital, you won't have much time for yourself ...)"
Mini Humidifier
"It was a relief because the hospital room is dry in the winter ."
How to choose a labor bag and hospital bag
Labor bags and hospital bags are essential for preparing for childbirth. While the contents are important, the bag itself is also an important factor in determining ease of use .
You can quickly access what you need in an emergency, and it can reduce the stress of being in the hospital. Choosing the right bag can make a big difference in your comfort.
Here are some tips on choosing an easy-to-use bag based on the feedback of experienced moms who participated in the survey.
[Ask experienced moms!] How to choose a labor bag
It is important that your labor bag is something that you can carry by yourself when labor starts and that you can quickly take out the things you need .
Based on the opinions of experienced mothers, we will introduce some tips on how to choose a labor bag that is truly easy to use!
・It holds a lot and has lots of pockets
"When I gave birth for the first time, I didn't know anything, so I packed everything I was told to bring by the hospital, plus the contents of other people's labor bags, so I brought a bag that could hold a lot of things and be easy to access ."
"I chose the same bag I use for checkups, so it's not too bulky and has several pockets so I can keep track of my belongings."
"I chose a bag with a large capacity ."
"We made it so that the mouth opens wide so that a lot can fit in!"
・Tote bags are recommended
"I made it into a tote bag so that it can hold a lot of things and be easy to take things out ."
"Depending on the state of labor, my family members or nurses will be the ones bringing out my belongings, so I made it a tote bag so that anyone can easily find what's inside ."
・Many people choose mother's bags that can be used after giving birth.
"I chose a large, cute bag that can also be used as a mother's bag . I also looked for something reasonably priced, as I knew I would soon outgrow it."
“I used the same tote bag I would use as a diaper bag after giving birth as my labor bag .
The tote bag has a wide opening, which made it easy to find the contents even in dark places."
In addition, there were other comments like this:
"I thought I'd be leaving it on the floor, so I made it washable ."
"It was a type without a zipper, so I wish I had one with a zipper so my luggage wouldn't spill out ."
"I brought a carry-on suitcase and a tote bag for indoor use because I will be staying in the hospital for a long time."
[Ask a senior mom!] How to choose a hospital bag
The length of hospital stay will vary depending on the hospital and delivery method, but it is usually around one week. It is a good idea to choose a bag with a large capacity to make your hospital stay as comfortable as possible .
When we spoke to experienced moms, the overwhelming majority of them preferred carry bags . Here are some actual comments.
" I decided to use a carry-on bag because my hands would be full if I had two bags , but it's difficult to quickly take things out of a carry-on bag, so I think it would be better to put things that you need to take out often in a tote bag or something."
"Since we had decided to have a C-section, we chose a carrier that would not put pressure on the stomach ."
"Compared to a labor bag, a hospital bag requires a lot more packing , so I used the same bag I use as a travel bag as my hospital bag."
"I had a lot of luggage, so I chose a carrier because I didn't want to have to carry heavy things when I went into labor alone."
"I was in hospital for over a month, so the only option was a carrier ."
"In a large room, there's limited space to spread out your luggage, so I chose a carry-on bag because it can be placed on the floor without bothering you ."
In addition, there were other comments like this:
"I chose a bag that I can use after giving birth and that will lift my spirits (convenience is important, but I don't want to abandon my femininity!). It has a cute design, a large capacity, can be hung on a stroller, and is waterproof so I can use it on rainy days. However, the bag itself was heavy, so I couldn't walk around with it on my shoulder instead of hanging it on the stroller. When my child was an infant, I would try to put him in a baby carrier from the stroller, but the bag was so heavy that the stroller would do a wheelie, which was a pain.
→I thought it would be nice if it was cute and could be hung on a stroller .
[POMULU] We are currently developing a new bag based on feedback from experienced moms!
POMULU is currently developing a new bag item , which we are gradually releasing on our official Instagram!
Our staff is working hard to make this bag more exciting for your child-rearing life, by incorporating many of the features that experienced moms have said they would be happy to have .
The development status is being posted on the official Instagram account, so be sure to check it out.
・POMULU official Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/pomulu_official/
Ease your anxiety by preparing thoroughly for childbirth
This time, we introduced the contents of labor bags and hospital bags, as well as tips on how to choose them.
Many people are probably full of anxiety about childbirth. Especially those who are giving birth for the first time, there are bound to be many worries.
I hope that by taking into consideration the opinions of experienced mothers introduced here, you can prepare for childbirth and feel a little more at ease.
