Wednesday 27 January 2016

The Muslim Woman's Hospital Bag

I remember researching for hospital bag lists and watching countless YouTube videos to make sure I was all ready and prepared - making myself (and my mother, my husband, my grandmother, my village clan...) feel better.
But I also remember, very clearly, not ever coming across any list that would cater for the Muslim woman who covers herself from head-to-toe and what extra things she would need.
So I've decided to list the things I took with me.

The usuals that I took with me:
  • Notes!!!!!!!!!!!!! 
  • 2 toothbrushes & toothpaste (I took toothpaste with me, I remember packing it and when I'm looking for it completely disappeared!?!! I put an extra toothbrush for hubs!)
  • Deodorant, soap, moisturiser, Tresseme shampoo & conditioner, hairbrush, lip balm, (nothing beats the shower in your own home though!)
  • A gown & towel - for after the shower. 
  • Backless, comfortable slippers - these were sooo comfortable and I went home in these too.
  • Hair scrunchies
  • Socks, underwear & nursing bra
  • Nursing pads, Maternity pads & Nipple cream (I've also heard coconut oil works well as nipple cream and to moisturise baby's dry skin)
  • Phone, phone charger & headphones
  • Long, loose top (with buttons!) & pyjamas/leggings to give birth in & another pair, at least, for after birth.
  • Cardigan - in case you get cold, of course
  • Plastic bag for dirty clothes
  • Little jug/water bottle - for bathroom purposes

Baby things:
  •  Carseat & carseat newborn insert
  • (16 for a 2 day stay) Nappies, nappy bags, 1 bag of cotton wool, little pot for water, vaseline/nappy rash cream
  • 6 bodysuits & 6 babygros/sleepsuits
  • 2 cellular blankets
  • Baby jacket for home
  • Baby socks - (these work as good mittens too)
  • Bibs
  • Going home outfit - I didn't put this on, because of the weather even though they were warm clothes.

The extras you want to think about:
  • Long black pashmina (your scarf) - this can also serve as a breastfeeding cover & also if you just feel to cover in front of any visits you get in the hospital/whoevers barging into the room.
  • Open-front (either with buttons or velcro) abayah (a full-sleeved floor length dress) - I used mine as a hospital gown and as an extra layer it kept me warm - especially with the thin blankets at the hospital!
  • Overhead Hijaab (dress that is worn from head to toe) - wear this and a pashmina to go to and come back from the hospital!
  • Niqaab (veil)  - this is if you wear it regularly and want to wear it to/from the hospital.
  • Ka'bah compass - to find the direction so any one who visits can pray & if you are able to duringlabour/induction
  • Mushaf - if you have the time during labour/induction/want to recite it to your newborn
  • Zamzam water
  • Dates - these are soooo good for you, your digestive system & also to practice the sunnah of tahneek

Things I didn't take that you may want to:
  • Birthing ball
  • Extra pillows
  • Breastfeeding pillow
  • V-shaped pillow
  • Flip flops for shower
  • Lip balm
  • Hair dryer
  • Money/coins
  • Lotion
  • Glasses
  • TENS machine
  • Big bag to put gifts in
  • Gum
  • Vests
  • Make up
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Toilet roll
  • Paracetomol/Ibuprofen
  • Notebook & pen
  • Facial wipes
  • Tennis ball in a sock 
  • Breast pump



Midwife and Life


4 comments:

  1. This is so useful and interesting, what is zamzam water? Thank you so much for linking up with #showandtell, I hope to see you again next week x x

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    Replies
    1. Thank you! Zamzam is like holy water - it's from a well in Mecca that a Prophet's wife found in the desert!

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  2. Oh I like this post compass for the ka'bah I never thought about good one!!

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