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Checklists and preparation for childbirth
Birth
To ensure that there is no unnecessary stress for all involved before, during and after the birth, I have summarized all useful checklists and preparatory measures for this article. The day of birth is exciting in itself and does not have to be clouded by small things.
Find a birth preparation course
It’s your first birth? Then you are very likely to be excited. Ideally, go to the courses with your partner to strengthen your bond and reduce any fears. In the courses you are encouraged to have a birth, to deal with pain and behaviors (especially for men). In addition, these meetings are perfect for meeting other future parents and developing a supportive network for the future. There are also refresher courses for parents who already have children, where new theories and information are shared. A course usually lasts 6-8 weeks, but there is often the possibility to book an intensive course.
Tip: Try to find a course with women who give birth in about the same period of time. This increases the chances that the contacts will remain beyond the course.
Your wishes during childbirth
With personal instructions in advance, you can focus on the birth of your child instead of having to deal with paperwork or organization. Try to maintain some flexibility in the design of your childbirth. Unfortunately, one birth does not always go according to plan and the health of the child and the mother should be the focus. Here is a list of possible preparation points:
Who should be present at the delivery?
How should the ambience be like light, music, temperature?
What do you want to apply from the courses? Examples: Yoga, walking, etc.
Which pain therapy is possible for me?
What should be the attitude to initiating or accelerating contractions?
Which type of birth is preferred?
What instructions do you have regarding dam cutting and dam cracking?
Do you want your partner to cut the umbilical cord?
Do you want to take photos or videos of the event?
Should the baby be placed on the abdomen immediately after birth?
Do you want to help wash your baby?
What should happen to the placenta?
How long do you want to stay in the hospital?
Should your partner be there for complications such as a caesarean section?
Tip:Copy your plan and show it to your midwife and ask her for your opinion.
Your clink bag
Since a birth sometimes comes unexpectedly and your baby does not stick to the calendar, I recommend you to pack your clink bag a few weeks before the delivery date. There’s more to it, if you stay longer in the clinic. Your partner will organize all other things for you in case of emergency, despite this certain things should not be missing.
Old T-shirt or nightgown for childbirth (1-2 pieces)
A little decoration to make the room a tiny touch more personal (photo, candle, etc.).
A bathrobe, slippers and socks
Lip balm
Basic equipment for cosmetic products such as: toothpaste, toothbrush, make-up
Important medicines you take
A book, app, magazine or something to distract
Breastfeeding bust holder
Breastfeeding inserts
Towels and washcloths
Disposable clips or old underpants
Headphones
Mobile phone incl. Charger
Notebook with the most important addresses
Clothes for the away home
Your baby bag
Even if your baby doesn’t need all the things in the clink, a basic equipment is enough to be taken care of the first day.
Pajamas (1-2 pieces)
Romper (2-3 pieces)
Cotton bodysuits with snaps in crotch (2-3 pieces)
Socks or Baby Shoes (1-2 pairs)
Wrap jackets (2-3 pieces)
Mittens if the child has long fingernails
Beanie (1 piece)
Diapers (12-20 pieces)
Wet wipes (1 pack)
Wiche Baby Blanket (1-2 pieces)
Mullcloths (3-4 pieces)
Bath towel with hood (1 piece)
Washcloths (1 piece)
Checklist for the birth partner
As a partner or confidant of the mother, one’s own role is definitely not characterized by passivity. In your part, the woman has to support the woman on this day and also in the period before and after. First of all, some hints that might be interesting:
Inform yourself through courses, literature on pregnancy and birth phases
Check your own questions with your doctor or midwife
Join your partner on a visit to the Klink
Respect your partner’s wishes regarding childbirth
Take the birth preparation course as often as possible
Pack the clink bag
Small list of things to pack at the last moment
Show that you are a strong partner and help where you can. All in all, the overview may seem sworksome, but you don’t have to pack everything in one evening. Further articles can be found in our article series.
Other interesting articles:
Eltern.de – bureaucracy during pregnancy