We fully followed "What to bring to hospital" list, we ended up brought with us a big travel bag for mum, a smaller bag for baby and a camera bag & lunch box for dad. We later found out we only need 25% of the items we brought with us. Below are our experience and thoughts to share with other expecting mums and dads in Ottawa.
1. Leave your bag(s) in your car. You will not need them until the baby is born. Only bring your camera with you. Our story was that dad had to carry those bags plus winter coats from Triage Room to Delivery Room, from Delivery Room to Recovery Room (after C-section), then from Recovery Room to Patient Room.
2. For mum, QCH will provide patient gown, towel, special sanitary napkin, food, drinks, etc. When dd was discharged from hospital, she was wearing the same shirt and jeans she worn to check in. She only used the socks, slippers and tooth brush from her travel bag.
3. For baby, QCH will provide baby gown, receiving blanket, towel, vaseline, baby formula and first batch of diapers. (About half a dozen) You will need your own diapers after that. They do not provide wiper, so you need to bring your own. Although you can use their receiving blanket there, you will need to bring 2 receiving blankets so that you can wrap your baby home upon discharged.
4. For dad, QCH will provide NOTHING for you. If possible, bring yourself a lunch box as you will not have time to go out and eat. There is microwave there for you to heat your food. Put a sleeping bag in your car in case you need it. Although they treated mum and baby well, they were too cruel to dad. In our case, after an exhausting 18 long hour fight in the hospital, we finally got settled down to our patient room around 2am. Dad was refused to be given a blanket, that he had to sleep on the icy floor through the night. Well, dad brought his camping gear to the hospital the following night...
5. For visitor, you can park your car in
Valley Stream Drive. It is free to park on the street and it is only 5 minutes walking distance away from the hospital.
Tip 1: Apply for a phone in your patient room. It is only $3 per day.
Tip 2: Parking overnight will have the discount. If you park your car on Day 1, and check out your car on Day 2, you only need to pay One-Day-Pass for Day 2. Day 1 will be free of charge.
