Having a Baby in Chad: Packing the Hospital Bag

Our family moved to the capital a week and a half ago. We settled in quickly – the boys have lots of American friends to play with on the SIL (Bible Translators) compound where we are staying. They are currently digging for frogs, but they also enjoy climbing on the playground equipment, jumping on the trampoline, and borrowing books from the campus library – all right outside our doorstep!

While the boys are busy playing, we’ve been visiting the doctor and midwife and getting blood work done. We’ve also been packing for our time at the hospital. Most things are similar to what I would pack to deliver a baby in America, but here, the hospital provides very little. So far, this is what is in my hospital bag or on my list to pack:

• Bottled (filtered) water and Gatorade in our cooler
• Snacks for me and Josh (for during and after labor – there are no restaurants around)
• Bedsheets and pillow
• All comfort items to help during labor
• All postpartum supplies (none provided by hospital)
• Diapers, swaddle blanket, baby hat, onesie, coming home outfit (also not provided)

As you can see, there is nothing too crazy on the list, but I am definitely having to think of everything, because the hospitals here just don’t provide things other than the actual medical care items.