We had our firstborn in Tung Shin Hospital, but we chose to deliver our second baby in government hospital – HKL (To be exact it is Tunku Azizah Hospital located next to it) in this March, due to so many uncertainties during the MCO. Of course, another reason being the savings on the costs for pre-admission COVID test, and the delivery charges too. It was a totally different experience compared to previous delivery, all the mommies gone through the contractions, births and postpartum pains without husbands’ supports, as well as taking care of newborns single-handedly there.
I ain’t a detailed person but my memory is still fresh with my second born ‘s arrival six months ago, when hospital regulations kept changing.
Checklists of Essentials in Hospital & Confinement Centre Bags
In fact there are a lot of hospital bag preparation checklist you can find on the Internet, but it is not common to find the checklist to confinement centre. Despite new mommies may usually be quite confused about how some of the items are used during the postpartum period, with my experience of two natural births, I have created a comprehensive list (with some elaborations on items in this article) especially for the first-time parents, so mommies are good on themselves even without the husbands aside.
You may download the attached Excel file for Essentials in Hospital & Confinement Centre Bags in English and 医院待产包 & 月子中心包 in Chinese, then copy and paste to your file for further amendment/revision :
◤ Checklist of Essentials to Hospital & Confinement Centre ◢
Essentials in Hospital Bag
| Identification Card (NRIC) | 1 | For registration purpose. |
| Rekod Kesihatan Ibu | 1 | For registration purpose. |
| Phone Charger & Earphone | 1 | Earphone is for calls / voice messaging, and musics if needed. |
| Disposable Masks | 5 pcs/stay | To reduce chances to get infected. |
| Maternity Pads | 4-6 pcs/day | It’s cheaper and bigger to absorb more lochia, change everytime after you pee. |
| Disposable Underpads | 2-3 pcs/day | To absorb lochia leakage, just ignore if hospital provides washable underpads. |
| Disposable Panties | 4-5 pcs/day | More to spare in case you have heavy volume and dirty the panty. |
| Breast Pads | 1-2 pairs/day | To protect the breastmilk leakage on the top you wearing. |
| Nursing Bras | 2-3 pcs/day | Nipples are sensitive, it helps minimizing the friction (make sure the size is just nice else you may feel discomfort due to breasts engorgement). |
| Nipple Shield / Lanolin Cream | 1 | Optional, but initially may be necessary as it takes time to adjust breastfeeding position. |
| Personal Portable Bidet + Salt | 1 | Optional, but it helps to keep the perineum area clean everytime after you pee. |
| Sitz Bath Toilet Bowl Seat | 1 | Optional, as you may not have time to soak your perineum area taking care your baby. O&G doctors recommended up to 5 times a day for speedy recovery. |
| Toilet Tissues | 2 rolls/stay | Optional, hospital may or may not provide but it is usually chargeable. |
| Facial Wash + Moisturiser | 1 | Just standby if you have time to clean up. |
| Body Shampoo | 1 | To wash away the sweats and dirts after delivery. |
| Toothbrush + Toothpaste | 1 | For basic clean up. |
| Towel | 2 pcs/stay | After clean-up use, and you may wet one to wipe your face/body. |
| Snacks/Drinks | Extra | Not to get starved, and in case you do not like hospital meals, ie oat cookies, cream crackers, Milo, Black Soy Powder etc. |
| Hot Tumblr | 1 | You may bring a few red dates ginger cubes. |
| Cup + Stirrer | 1 set | To make hot drinks. |
| Cutlery + Bowl | 1 set | Optional, you may use it when you order soupy delivery like porridge. |
| Socks | 2-3 pairs/stay | Hospital provides clothings but not the socks. |
| Going CC Shoes | 1 pair | You will not want to wear slippers with socks. |
| Going CC Outfits | 1 set | The body needs time to get back to its shape so bring one or two sizes bigger. |
| Hat | 1 | Fisherman’s hat can be a good choice. |
| Diaper | 5-6 pcs/day | Baby needs to change if he/she poos frequently. |
| Swaddle Blanket | 2-3 pc/stay | No laundry is available so you may want to spare more in case it gets dirty. |
| Going CC Outfits | 1 set | Bring a newborn size clothing with mittens and booties. |
| Hat | 1 | Optional, as you can wrap the baby with the swaddle blanket. |
| Wet Wipes (Big – 70pcs) | 1 pack/stay | For baby everytime after he/she poos, and sometimes for yourself if you do not want to go washroom. |
The checklist only serves as a reference, as different hospital may have different practices. For example, Tung Shin Hospital charges on maternity pads, underpads, panties and toilet rolls when you need to extend your stay unexpectedly. HKL provides baby formula milk powder for free, in case you do not have breastmilk supply yet. It is important to check thoroughly with your hospital if you do not like “surprises”.
Essentials in Confinement Centre Bag
Try to find out if you can get anything via this Shopee Seller.
Many items in this checklist are already in the Hospital Bag but it will be much easier and convenient to pack both luggages separately.
The items with asterisk (*) are related to breastfeeding, you may just leave them first until your breastmilk “comes in”. You can purchase them online depending on your condition after the delivery.
| Rekod Kesihatan Ibu | 1 | For O&G doctor’s follow up |
| Rekod Kesihatan Bayi & Kanak2 | 1 | For Pediatrician’s follow up |
| Phone Charger & Earphone | 1 | Earphone is for calls/voice messaging while baby sleeps/naps in your room. |
| Sanitary Pads – Overnight | 1-2 packs/stay | Once lochia is reduced then can switch to overnight sanitary pads, perhaps 2nd week. |
| Sanitary Pads – Daytime | 2-3 packs/stay | Switch to daytime sanitary pads when lochia decreases. |
| Panty liners | 1 pack/stay | To prevent lochia leakage on panties before it is completely cleared. |
| Breast Pads | 2-3 pairs/day | You may change after wake up, after lunch and dinner, pack about 160pcs/stay should be sufficient. |
| Sitz Bath Toilet Bowl Seat | 1 | Quite some CC provide this now, make sure you do sitz bath up to 5 times/day as suggested by O&G doctors to speed up recovery. |
| Perineal Care U-Shaped Cushion | 1 | Pressure relief to your perineum area when you sit down for meals/breastfeed the baby. |
| Belly Wrap | 2 pcs/stay | Optional for vaginal births but recommended for caesarean delivery. |
| Supplements: Calcium + Fish Oil + *Lechithin | 1 | Optional, but they are essentials for breastfeeding mommies, especially Lechithin in case of milk blockage. |
| *Breast Pump | 1 | Not necessary in hospital bag as you may have no time to clean it after use. It will be desired if CC helps to wash & sterilise as you pump every 3 hours once. In the first month, the hand expression of breastmilk using Marmet Technique after breast pump, can help further empty the breast and prevent blockage. |
| *Milk Storage Bottles | 6-8 pcs/stay | Optional, this will save you a bit on storage bags as CC can store the little freshly pump milk into fridge on first 3-5 days. |
| *Milk Storage Bags (120ml / 4oz) | 50-60 pcs/stay | Milk supply increases so CC will help freeze the extra breastmilk, you can bring home when checking out. |
| Laxatives / Fiber | Extra | Limited laxatives from hospital, try standby some as you cannot push before the tears/cut is healed. |
| Facial Wash + Moisturiser | 1 | You may skip for one week but trust me, these are the least skincare products your skin needs. |
| Hair + Body Shampoo | 1 | Optional, but this is the time to spoil your hair & body with your favourite shampoos. You will feel darn good after shower with the scent! |
| Towel | 2-3 pcs/stay | You may need one when pumping milk, or quick clean up. And CC needs extra time for laundry if fullhouse. |
| Hairbands & hairclips | Extra | Many bad hair days so you definitely need more of these. |
| Slippers | 1 pair/stay | Optional as CC may provide both indoor and washroom slippers. |
| Oversized tops (preferably zips/buttons) | 6-8 pcs/stay | Zips & buttons are easy for breastfeeding. You may want to change after wake up, after meals or after joining the group activities organised by the CC. |
| Sarongs | 2-3 pcs/stay | Easier than wearing pants and personally think this is suitable for vaginal-birth mommies. |
| Oversized long pants | 0 | Optional if you do not like sarongs. |
| Socks | 3-4 pcs/stay | To keep your feet warm as suggested by Traditional Chinese Medicator. |
| Pacifier | 1 | Optional, but it helps pacifying the baby. |
| Milk Drinking Bottles | 2 pcs/stay | For milk feeding. The first 1-2 days in hospital may just direct latch as you are taking care baby on your own. |
| Formula Milk Powder | 1 | If you have particular brand to give, in case you do not have enough milk supply. |
| Baby Pillow | 1 | Optional, baby may feel secured with pillow on his/her chest. |
- PREPARATION AT HOME
Pack your essentials to hospital in luggages or big bags, separately with those to Confinement Centre. Otherwise you may have difficulty locating the stuff in the hospital.
The bags can be packed when entering 30+ weeks and make sure your husband and family know where you keep them. Just grab and go to the hospital, when it is time scheduled for C-section delivery or when there is a sign of labour. As a very brief guide, you may refer to the followings before leaving to hospital:
- Water Breaks: When the protective sac of amniotic fluid ruptures, you may experience a gush of liquid, or a slow trickle. Go to the hospital as soon as possible, the baby is no longer protected by the sac and could be at risk of developing an infection, don’t be afraid of being “rejected”, doctors will want to deliver the baby within a day or two after water breaks though.
- Bloody Show: When the cervix begins to dilate, mucus plug that blocks the cervix loosens/opens up causing the pink, brown or slightly bloody vaginal discharge, that is the bloody show. Some people experience bloody show a few days before contractions, so you may not go to the hospital until regular contractions starts.
- Regular Contractions: If the contractions subsides after a rest, it is most likely a false labor (Braxton Hicks contractions). The pain is like a mild menstrual cramps which eventually gets stronger and stronger, and ultimately you will feel like going to pass motion. When you are having more than six contractions every hour, lasting more than 30 seconds every time, the baby can be on its way. You can download the mobile app to measure the frequency of contractions.
If you are not sure whether you should go to the hospital, make a call and check with the hospital directly!
- ARRIVAL AT HOSPITAL
Go direct to Emergency without hesitation as you are there with signs. Inform the staff there if you need a wheelchair. Make sure you have your IC and Rekod Kesihatan Ibu handy in the carrier bag with you for registration before entering the building. Husband can wait near to the entrance as he is not allowed to go inside the O&G department.
After a short verification on your signs and waiting time on the queue, the doctor will do a cervix dilation check and Cardiotocography (CTG) to decide if you will be “sent home” or admitted to the hospital. Here is a gentle reminder to bring some biscuits and water with you, just in case you are hungry while waiting.
If your cervix is dilated more than 3cm, then it is time to proceed with PCR Test. You can be admitted to the hospital if the result shows you are negatively tested, but a transfer to another designated hospital may be needed if your result shows “Positive”.
- ADMISSION & SETTLE DOWN
Once the NEGATIVE result is out (within 2-3 hours), you are not allowed to leave so your husband can pass to you the luggage (only the hospital one) and go to complete the necessary hospitalization procedures. At this point of time, your husband will have to inform which types of room you are going, but it is subject to availability. Since no fathers are allowed in the wards and labour rooms, you may have the feeling of security even in a shared ward now.
After admission procedure is done, you can go to the ward with your luggage, get changed and put your soiled clothes into a laundry bag. Hospitals usually provide washable maternity underpads to avoid water breaks or any discharge after cervix dilation check, otherwise you may just place the one you bring on the bed. It is similar to nursing underpad but the maternity underpad is bigger in size (60×90) for better protection if any leakage. You may need to change 2 to 3 times a day even after delivery, so it is better to prepare 5 to 8 pieces as standby.
I reached hospital about 9pm, it was already 1.20am when I finally lied down on the bed. The nurse will come to you and assist with drip installation, also to wear an elastic belt holding two sensors on your belly. This CTG is same with the one done before admission, you will hear baby’s heart rate, at the same time probing the frequency and intensity of your contractions.
Everyone has different pain tolerance. Simply my personal feeling to share with you, when the doctor said my cervix was 3 fingers dilated I actually felt I was having a serious menstrual pain. I had to hold tight on the bed rail, twisted and breathe deeply when the waves “came”. I could not endure the pain so nurse helped to check twice in midnight but it was still same around 2-3 fingers. I then requested for painkiller to be injected, but aduh… NO RELIEF AT ALL!
In the car, my husband was anxiously waiting for my update but I did not have any strength to send message at all. Until early in the morning I tried my very best to keep my hub updated, at the same time I told him I wanted to change to C-section as I couldn’t endure anymore (LOL). But within half an hour, the doctor came to check and it was 4-5 fingers dilated, OMG no wonder I felt like I was going to die!
- POST-DELIVERY
The nurse passed to me a mouthpiece so I could help myself in the labour ward when I needed it, and you know what, I covered my mouth breathing in the “laughing gas” almost at all times until she “reminded” me to take it down. Did it help? To be honest I still felt the labour pain .
Finally I’ve made it!
Finally the pain was over!
Finally my baby girl was here!
It was such a gratifying moment! While enjoying the skin-to-skin contact with the baby, you will have a wide range of emotions: euphoria, excitement, pride, disbelief and EXHAUSTED! Take a rest and share your joys to the family and friends via phone since no visitor is allowed at the moment. Do not forget to inform the PIC of the confinement centre on your baby’s arrival.
The nurse will keep track if you have any problem passing urine and motion. Remember to also check if baby has done the same and clean him/her up with the wet tissues. Try breastfeeding your baby directly as it will be difficult to wash and sterilize the breast pump while taking care your newborn. With two or three nights stay, depending on your delivery time and recovery condition, then only you can be discharged to leave hospital.
There are some documents to be filled up and signed, including the application form of baby’s birth certificate. You should have your Rekod Kesihatan Ibu, and also baby’s Rekod Kesihatan Bayi & Kanak-kanak from the hospital, and once your husband submits one of the documents with payment at the counter, then it is time to leave for confinement centre.
Guess you are either the mommy and daddy-to-be if you are here reading this, hope you find the checklist and article helpful. Of course your feedback can be meaningful to me for improvements so it will be much appreciated 🙂
Every birth experience will be unique, so best wishes to you and enjoy your parenthood in advanced!
Mommy Transforms 