Labor can be very long for some time and it can take a whole night or a day or two. So it’s very important for dads to pack their hospital bag and be ready for any unpredictability.

If you are thinking what to pack in a hospital bag for dad, then don’t worry, I have put list of some essential items to put in your bag.

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1.    Comfortable clothes

Dad also needs some comfortable clothes in his hospital bag. Pack some comfortable clothes like pajamas, sweatshirt, sweatpants or any other in which you feel comfortable. You will also need some fresh undergarments, sock and small towel to feel fresh.

Remember to pack some nice clothes for pictures when your baby arrive, it will be a very big moment for all of you.

2.    Pillow and blanket

It will be good if you pack small blanket and a pillow like a small travel pillow or neck pillow to sleep comfortably if you need to spend a whole night in the hospital. Although hospital provide all the necessary items but it’s good to be prepared.

3.    Refillable water bottles

Water is a necessity and it’s very important to pack reusable water bottles. Both you and your partner need to stay hydrated throughout the day as it’s gonna be a hard as well as memorable day for your whole family. You may not get a chance to leave the room for water or anything else so it’s a good idea to keep reusable water bottles with you.

4.    Footwear

You should pack some comfortable footwear like slippers, flip-flops, crocs or other sneakers to stay comfortable and free.

5.    Extra cash, change and credit cards

It will be great if you keep some cash and change in hands for any emergency. Having extra cash will save you at the places where you can’t use card like vending machine or parking meter. This is an essential thing for dad to keep in their hospital bag.

6.    Healthy snacks for both of you

It’s a good idea to pack some healthy snacks for both of you to have some munching. When you are doing nothing, you feel hungrier and having some extra snacks and drinks will save you.  Your partner will also need some snacks in between of labor and maybe she won’t be able to eat much but having some healthy option in hand is always a good idea.

7.    Important medicines

It’s very important to keep important medicines with you. If you are on some medication like thyroid, blood sugar or any other, keep them handy and don’t forget to pack them.

8.    Necessary electronics

Check for necessary electronics that you need like ear buds, camera, tablet or laptop etc. You can discuss with you partner also about how she wants to capture those first moments and pack electronics according to your preferences.

9.    Phone and charger

Sometime we forget to pack charger so it’s very important to pack phone and charger both because labor can take lots of time and you don’t want to run out of your phone battery. You may need your phone anytime for necessary calls and important messages.

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10.    Mask and sanitizer

If you are delivering a baby in 2020, it’s very important to pack some masks and sanitizer because you never know how hospital policies work and it will also help in preventing infection.

11.    Tissues and Disposables

You can also pack some tissue packet and disposable like spoon, glass and plates for having snacks and food. It’s always a great idea if you keep them in your hospital bag.

12.    Toiletries

Dad also needs some toiletries in his hospital bag. You may need to pack your toothbrush, toothpaste, mouthwash, floss, perfume, deodorant, wet wipes, face wash or anything that is necessary for you.

13.    Insurance details and important documents

It’s important for dad to checklist important documents like id-cards and insurance documents while packing hospital bag. Keep all the details with you and check for all the paper work that is needed.

14.    Glasses or contact lenses if needed

If you are using glasses or contact lenses, don’t forget to pack them. Add contact solution also in your hospital bag.

15.    Contact number of closed ones

Dad need to keep the record of contact number of closed ones while packing his hospital bag. You can need help from anyone while any unpredictability this is why it’s important to keep their number handy. You may need their number to notify them after delivering baby.

16.    Massage oil for mother

A mother is going through so much pain while labor and she will need your support all the time. You can support them with massage to sooth their pain. You should keep the massage oil in your bag to give them back massage or leg massage when she is in pain.

17.    Car seat

You can’t take your baby home without a car seat. You need to keep ready your car seat to welcome your baby at home. Put this essential item in dad and mom’s both checklists while packing for hospital bag.

18.    Check for the readiness of mom and baby bag

This is a very important responsibility of dad’s while packing hospital bags to checklist all the items in mom and baby bag also. It’s always a good idea to double check your partner bag by yourself to avoid any problems.

19.    A Special gift for partner

If you want to give a special gift to your partner when your baby arrives, don’t forget to pack that when you are preparing your hospital bag. It will give a special pleasure to your partner.

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An epidural is a type of anesthesia which is used most commonly for pain relieving during childbirth. Women used epidural as a primary method of pain relief more than any other method. Now a day’s more than 50% of women use this while giving birth at hospital. Before using any method of pain relief like epidural while childbirth, it is very important to discuss about all the side effects and risks associated so that you can make right decision.

As your due date is nearby, try to explore as much as possible about all the methods of pain relief so that you can prepare yourself for a better decision. Before choosing Epidural as an option, it’s good to be aware about the side effects, benefits and risks associated with it and how it’s administrated.

What is an Epidural

Epidural is a local anesthesia that blocks or reduce the pain in a particular area of body. Generally epidural is used as a pain reliever rather than as an anesthesia (that can cause numbness). It blocks the pain signal which results in decrease sensation in lower part of the body. You can take epidural anytime during your labor after consulting with your OB and Gynecologist.

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8 Common side effects of Epidural

Any medication that a woman uses while labor enters the child’s body also, through the umbilical cord, which includes epidural also. All the procedure including injection or painkiller carries their own risks and side effects. Epidural block also have its own side effects but most of them are temporary and risks are very rare.

Here are 7 common side effects associated with epidural.

1.    Low Blood Pressure

Low blood pressure is one of the side effect of epidural but its temporary and not harmful for the body. If your blood pressure drops very low after getting epidural, it can affect your baby’s heart rate. To prevent this and reduce the risk your doctor will give you extra fluid through IV before giving epidural injection. Your blood pressure will be checked time to time in order to avoid any complications and if necessary medications can also be given to maintain blood pressure.

2.    Back pain

Epidural injection is given in lower back of the body which can cause you a sore back or back pain as a side effect. This back pain or soreness should be resolved in few days. There are many myths about permanent back pain after epidural, which is purely a myth. There is no evidence to shows that epidural can cause permanent back pain.

3.    Numbness in legs

Some women can feel numbness in legs after receiving epidural which is not very serious and common side effects of epidural. This numbness should go particularly 6 to 8 hours and should not last very long. If it last too long, it’s better to check with your doctor as soon as possible to avoid any complications.

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4.    Fever

Epidural can cause fever in some women. According to research around 23 women in 100 that get an epidural can get a fever which is also considered as a common side effect of epidural; however the reason of this is still unknown.

5.    Itching

Opioids are a medication which is used in an epidural can caused you itchy skin as an side effect. A change in medication can work for you if you are feeling that your itching is severe and uncomfortable or your doctor can prescribe you medication to relieve the itching.

6.    Urination problem

Epidural injection used during childbirth is given in lower back to reduce the pain which decrease the sensation in lower body so that a woman will not feel the pain. A decrease sensation in lower body means decrease control of bladder. After an Epidural, the nerve is block which give you signal about full bladder, which is why women feels difficulty in urination. This is why a catheter is used when an epidural is given. Don’t worry; you will gain the control of bladder soon as the medicine worn off. This is a very common and temporary side effect of epidural.

7.    Nausea and vomiting

Some women can feel like vomiting and nauseous after receiving epidural which is generally because of low blood pressure caused by an epidural injection. You can check with your doctor if they can give you some medication to make you feel better.

8.    Dizziness and fainting

Epidural can cause dizziness or headache because of the needle affect the covering of spinal cord. This can persist for few days so it’s better to take a treatment after discussing with your doctor. Fainting is another side effect of epidural because of the decrease in heart rate and blood pressure.

7 rare side effect of epidural

While severe side effects are rare with epidural but still there is always a possibility of exceptions and some of the rare side effects with epidural are listed below.

1.    Severe headache

If the epidural injection goes too deep, it might make a hole in the protective layers around the spinal cord, and spinal fluid might leak out. If too much fluid is lost, it can cause severe headaches that may last up to a few days. According to the research this happens in about 1 out of 100 women who have an epidural. It is very necessary to treat this headache on time otherwise it can become severe also and can continue for dew days or weeks. Headache can be treated with medications and plenty of fluids.  

2.    Infection

There is always a chance of infection with the needle. However needles are always sterile and skin is cleared before giving epidural so chances of the infection from epidural are rare. Infection can be of type and generally within the body like it can occur in the area where it’s inserted, or it can affect brain or spinal cord also. 

3.    Difficulty breathing

Opioids are one of the medication which is used during epidural can cause breathing problem like difficulty breathing or slow breathing. Your doctor will monitor you time to time for any difficulties or problem and treat you according to the situation. 

4.    Nerve damage

The needle that is used to deliver epidural can damage a nerve which can cause temporary or permanent loss of sensation in your lower body. This side effect of epidural is very rare but it is very important to discuss about the symptoms with your doctor that you feel so that they can treat you according to your symptoms as soon as possible. Generally the effect of epidural worn off within 6 to 8 hour.

5.    Bleeding

In some rare cases epidural can cause damage to arteries which can cause bleeding and blood clotting within the soft tissues or epidural space. This can block the blood supply to brain or spinal cord.

6.    Seizure

Seizure means the changes in the brain’s electrical activity which includes shaking or loss of control. In rare cases epidural can trigger seizure but these kinds of side effects are very rare.

7.    Insufficient pain relief

This is also a side effect of epidural that sometime it may not block all your pain. This is one of the mostly seen side effects in women who opt for epidural. Sometime epidural is not for you and in such cases you may be offered alternative pain relief method. According to the research the average failure rate is 12% to 15%.

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