Fathers Labor and Delivery Survival Kit

It’s around this time of year that I’m put in mind to remember when I had my kid. Actually, I didn’t do the having. I did a lot of sitting nearby in terror as my wife had our kid.

There are lots of packing lists about what you should bring for mom and baby, but there’s not a lot for men. So I’m going to send one out to my fellow fathers(-to-be) in the following post.

First, I’m going to hope your delivery is something that gets wrapped up in a day and has no complications. At worst you’ll be a slightly stinky, unshaven new father. Congratulations! But I’m going to recommend you pack for 3-5 days because a C-section will require additional days. Labor can take a lot longer than you expect too. Go prepared.

Collapsible silverware: Incredibly handy item in life, but particularly handy during L&D. The hospital will feed Mom, but not you. You will exist on highly-processed snacks, apple juice, water, and coffee. It’s a bad scene. However, if the wife can’t stomach something, you want to be able to graciously ~~steal~~ accept her gift. Additionally, if you step out to get something (“Just where do you think you’re going?”), you might need to put it away or the staff might forget your flatware. Have this.
Your own pillow. With any luck you’ll be able to catnap on a fold out or a flop-down couch or similar. Your own pillow makes a difference.
A space blanket / camping blanket. Have an exceedingly light but also highly stuff-able blanket? Bring it. Sleep is hard to get and hospitals' climate control can swing wildly and their linens can be…rudimentary. Have cover
TOP TIP White noise generator. When your room has no generator, you hear the beeps, pips, printers, and conversations. With a generator, it makes your room a womb-round-a-womb. When we were packing up with our bundle of joy, the moment we unplugged the generator our “first nest with baby” felt like…a hospital.
Obvious: chargers. You may be on social media and update duty.
Obvious: headphones. I recommend bone-vibration types so you can hear without delay
Robe: It’s good for an extra layer during sleep or if you need to go our for ice chips in the wee hours in your…
A set of pajamas or loose sweats
Notebook: For journaling and remembering. It feels like you could never forget the details, but you will. Write dates and times and how it felt. Your pictures will not be able to tell this story fully
Slippers: I have some fleece-lined Ugg slippers. You’re going to want to get out of constrictive shoes – yes even your New Balances or Hokas. Since you never know when you’ll be called upon to fetch a nurse or a snack, it’s good to have these foot options
HYDRO FLASK I brought a collapsible water bag. This was my water. I would fill this up whenever I needed it. Hospitals are dry. You’re going to be up on weird schedules. You must drink. My flask was on a carabiner, I used it once or twice
E-Reader or Big Book (“Infinite Jest,” “Shōgun?”). There will likely be a time where Mom needs to sleep and you can’t/won’t

Seriously, Dudes, Leave at Home

Gaming System. What were you thinking?
Collection of violent or sexy movies. What were you thinking?
Earplugs. Mixed blessing, but could lead to some real sorrow