As your delivery day approaches, your baby’s parents will be more focused than ever getting ready for the first trip home. They’ll have filled their nursery with furniture and their dresser full of onesies and pajamas. They’ll be stocking up on bath toys, storybooks, and stuffies. They’ll add a high chair to their kitchen and a playpen to their living room. They’ll want everything to be in order for their first days with their child.
You, too, should be planning ahead for these days. That’s why we’ve put together a pregnancy delivery checklist for surrogate mothers. Make sure you take all of these steps well in advance of your final month of pregnancy.
Choosing Your Caregiver
You and the intended parents should agree on where the birth should take place and who should help you through it. Would you prefer an OB/GYN at a hospital, or a midwife at a specialty birthing center? Where is the best one of these near you? How will you decide which one of them you trust for a safe and healthy delivery? Pick a location and a care provider early so everyone knows where to go and what to expect.
Planning Your Labor Experience
If this is your first time giving birth, you are probably feeling a bit nervous about what it will be like. Rest assured that your care provider will make things as comfortable as they can, for your sake and the sake of the baby. When meeting with your care provider toward the end of your pregnancy, be prepared to answer these questions:
- Who will be present in the room for the birth?
- Are there any religious or spiritual requirements that are important to you?
- Do you have any dietary preferences or restrictions?
- What kinds of comfort therapies (music, bathing, breathing exercises, movement exercises, etc.) will you require for pain relief?
- Who are your emergency contacts?
- What method of transportation have you arranged for when you are discharged from the hospital or birthing center?
- If you have dependents (children, sick or elderly family members, pets), who will care for them while you are giving birth?
- Do you have any medical problems or concerns that we should be aware of?
Packing Your Hospital Bag
To ensure that things start off as smoothly as possible, the two most important items you’ll need are your health insurance card and all necessary paperwork required by the hospital or birthing center. These will go in your hospital bag, along with the following:
- one outfit to wear during labor that is easy to adjust and remove
- one outfit to wear for your trip back home (anything that fit you at 6 months will be suitable)
- pajamas and slippers
- no-slip socks
- toiletries: toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, hairbrush, shampoo, soap, etc.
- sanitary pads
- breath mints or hard candies to prevent dry mouth during labor
If you will be breastfeeding, add a button-up shirt, a nursing pillow, and a nursing bra or breast pads. If you will not be breastfeeding, add a sports bra to discourage lactation.
These are just our suggestions for a surrogate’s pregnancy delivery checklist. Be sure to go over your plan with your baby’s parents so that everyone’s questions get settled before the baby arrives. By checking everything off your list early, everyone will be prepared and confident when the big day comes. If you have any further questions about how to prepare for your delivery day, don’t hesitate to contact us using the form below.
