The hospital bag: yes and no
We have finally arrived at the fateful moment of childbirth! Whether it’s a planned birth via cesarean or induction (in this case you’ll know the exact date, but it’s still better not to be caught unprepared!) or not, it’s always better to plan ahead and prepare what you need with a little advance.
Ok, but what exactly do you pack in your hospital bag? If you are pregnant for the first time, the midwife will certainly have told you about it in the pre-natal course, while if you are already a mother you will already be an expert. However, be careful if you change hospitals: each structure requires different things for the mother and especially for the baby and you should ask the one you have chosen for the precise list (for example, there are hospitals where you will even have to bring your own toiletries from home , while others will provide you with plenty of soap and towels).
But how do I dress, you’re thinking? In the meantime, calculate whether you will have a natural birth or not: in the first case, the hospital stay lasts from 48 to 36 hours, while in the second case it can take up to five full days, so more changes are needed. The general rule, beyond the specific requests of the structure, is to bring comfortable clothes that you need both for sleeping and for being able to get up in case of visits or to breastfeed the baby without having to work too hard.
So the nightgown is ok, but consider that you are not at home anyway and you must avoid transparency and always keep a long cardigan close at hand to wrap yourself up and leggings to mask the waxing regrowth (I’m an expert by now !).
As far as I’m concerned, I reserve the nightgown only for the first day, when the obstetrician and gynecologist checkups are more frequent, while for the following days (mine were all caesarean sections, including the fourth, therefore with more days of stay in the hospital) I prefer pajamas in the summer version, since it’s always hot in the hospital, and always combined with an opaque cardigan. With the Envie de Fraise pregnancy kits I solved the root of the problem, buying directly not individual items, but real boxes, such as the Envie de Fraise Homewear Box made up of swanky pajamas (but calling it that is an understatement) with matching cardigan.
These garments, which are perfect for spending the days after childbirth in comfort and elegance both at home and in the hospital, allow you to feel at ease in a body that has yet to regain its size, breastfeeding in complete comfort and at the same time not disfiguring in case of visits from relatives and friends.
As for underwear, you will be asked for nursing bras; since the milky flow does not arrive immediately, but within the third day, I recommend that you bring a simple bra without underwire for the first few days and a nursing pair for the following days, one size larger. The same goes for panties: hospital lists usually include disposable mesh panties but, if, like in my case, they don’t make you feel at ease, use them only for the first 24 hours, then switch to simple panties in cotton.
You can find many proposals for specific underwear for breastfeeding in the Envie de Fraise delivery suitcase category, which will accompany you from the day of delivery, offering you maximum comfort.
Have you continued to take care of your body during pregnancy and don’t want to stop right now? Very good! Remember that a good natural oil not only does not bother the newborn in case of breastfeeding, but rather will help you maintain elasticity and prevent the annoying fissures that often form on the nipple. And remember to also put your favorite make-up in the beauty case, because a simple touch of lipstick can make the difference in those days when you feel really dazed.
As for the clothes to wear when going out, if you have chosen a good maternity you will have no problems, because you can continue to wear it in the following months as well. By the way, if you’ve had a cesarean delivery, you’ll want to avoid buttoned pants and skirts for a while, and the maternity bandage will provide relief from the tight spots. In general, no new mother likes to feel too “tight” in her clothes therefore, especially for the upper part, items designed specifically for this period are to be preferred, in very elastic materials and with openings on the breast so as not to have to undress every time she breastfeeds.
If you still have doubts, take a tour of the maternity clothing section of Envie de Fraise, you will find a great variety of garments and solutions that are right for you. And good luck with the new arrival!
Kathryn Barlow is an OB/GYN doctor, which is the medical specialty that deals with the care of women's reproductive health, including pregnancy and childbirth.
Obstetricians provide care to women during pregnancy, labor, and delivery, while gynecologists focus on the health of the female reproductive system, including the ovaries, uterus, vagina, and breasts. OB/GYN doctors are trained to provide medical and surgical care for a wide range of conditions related to women's reproductive health.