Preparing for Your Delivery
A Checklist for the Expectant Mom
You’re approaching the end of your pregnancy. Your baby will be here soon, but there’s still so much left to do. Don’t get overwhelmed. This should be a joyous time in your life. Reduce your stress and plan ahead. Here’s a checklist to show you how…
- Make sure to keep all of your scheduled appointments with your health care professional (doctor or midwife). As your pregnancy progresses, these are vital to you and your baby’s health.
- Receive your pre-admission packet from your health care professional. Read through it thoroughly to make sure all of your questions are answered.
- Complete the hospital pre-registration paperwork (found in the pre-admission packet) and return it, along with a copy of your insurance card, to the hospital.
- Call your insurance company to make sure that you have coverage for maternity services. Most providers require precertification.
- Read the informed consent information and advanced directives. If there are any important decisions that need to be made, now is the time to make them.
- Make sure you’ve received your letter from the hospital, confirming that they’ve received your pre-registration paperwork. If you don’t have it, call the hospital.
- Review the available pregnancy, childbirth and parenting classes offered by your hospital or health care professional. Schedule your classes around weeks 28-34 of your pregnancy. Ask if there is a package discount for taking multiple classes.
- Schedule a tour of the hospital where you’ll be delivering. Do this at least six to eight weeks before your delivery.
- Map out your route to the hospital. Know how to get there and where to park. Make a dry run and have a back-up route (or two) in case of traffic. In addition, keep your gas tank on full.
- Select a pediatrician. Bring the first and last name of the doctor, along with his office address and phone number to the hospital with you when you come to deliver.
- Select a car seat and read the manufacturer’s instructions thoroughly to know how to properly install it in the car and secure baby. Take a class with a certified car-seat technician.
- Ask your health care professional about when to come to the hospital if you think you are in labor. Make sure to ask where to go in case you go into labor in the middle of the night. Some hospitals have different entrances for after-hours deliveries.
- Pack your bags. Pack one bag for labor and one for after delivery. You may leave your “after delivery” bag in the car until after the baby is born. Ask your health care professional and other mothers you know for advice, but, generally speaking, pack:
- A robe, slippers, 2-3 nightgowns and extra underwear
- Your toothbrush, hairbrush and other personal toiletries
- Comfort items that are important to you, such as your own pillow, your favorite cream and your journal
- A camera, extra batteries and film
- Important phone numbers to call to announce the good news
- Snacks, a change of clothing and a toothbrush for your partner
- A cute outfit for your baby’s first photo
- Clothes to go home in (you may still need a maternity outfit for a few weeks)
- Clothes for your baby to go home in (with blanket)
- Get everything ready at home. Make sure the nursery is ready and that you have what you need to take care of your newborn. Fill the freezer with food and do all you can before baby arrives.
- Select your support network. Who do you want and need to be around you to help and support you? If you have other children or pets, line up others to help you take care of them, water plants and pick up your mail. Make sure you have people on call and available, day and night.