Dear LPG

Here is something that I think readers may benefit from thinking about, and I need to firstly ask  some of the ladies this question.  Can you remember way back to the time when you were preparing for your first child to be born; during all those antenatal classes, did you get told to have a bag prepared so that when your little one was ready to make first-contact with the big bad world you would be ready too?

For Mums-to-be the fact that they are suddenly going to have to turn up in hospital is a definite part of the process and having the bag packed, ready and waiting to go is one way of minimising the chaos that is sure to be an extra component.

As we get older it is often the case that visits and longer stays in hospital can cause equal amounts of panic and having a small bag of necessities ready can be most helpful. 

After any emergencies have been dealt with and when you, the patient, needs to stay in for a few more weeks, or even days, you don’t want to have to send your willing friend, or even a carer, into the obscure cupboards and crevices of your home to collect those little necessities that are so likely to be really appreciated.  Perhaps not because you have anything to hide but because one’s things can be private, and it is often the case that your friends’ common sense will be very different from yours, resulting in some items that arrive being not quite what you would have expected.  This can be even more a cause for worry if you live alone.

It doesn’t have to be a case.  A bag with a bar of your preferred soap and toothpaste is not a bad start (as you get well you are not going to want to have no choice but to use hospital-issue.  The creams, perfumes and smells that you are more used to are more likely to make you feel that you are on the mend).  Something to do is another consideration, as hospitals can be really boring places to spend long bouts of time in.  Perhaps a word search or crossword book and a supply of your favourite films and something to play them on is also a good idea (Hospital TV is truly expensive).  Remember to only pack things that you can afford to lose though, so a cheap older mobile phone would be better than your new one, and I would also like to refer you to the article written on (►►►) which was my inspiration for writing down my thoughts here.  As a post script can I mention the importance of not forgetting the charger for your phone? 

So although we elders are never going to be as sure that we will end up in hospital as an expectant mum, even we have a better chance of being admitted than our younger counterparts.  There are some very good reasons for taking this precaution.

LH, Crofton Park

LPG found many websites with advice on what a mum-to-be should be included in such a bag but only one site preparing with us for any other possible eventualities.

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