You have explained to the officer why you were speeding and have now arrived at the hospital. Your partner has had the house packed in two small bags and by the front door for the last month. Have you got yours packed and ready?

Here’s what you need!

- Change. Car parks, vending machines and telephones in the ward, you name it but when you are least prepared none of them seem to accept cards or that £5 you have in your wallet.

- Drink. We are not talking a six pack but a bottle of water and perhaps some cans of pop. You may arrive  straight from work, it could be 3am and things are shut when you arrive and your wife maybe in labour for a whole day.

 
- Food. For the same reasons as above. For both categories you may wish to put something in your bag for your partner. In our experience some women don’t want anything to eat and some crave particular things or are, in the early stages of labour “starving” - be prepared!

 
- Book, mag or PSP etc. Basically something to amuse yourself. It’s not always like in the movies where she
is pushing with you screaming encouragement. There maybe long periods of apparent inactivity. You may
just be waiting for the doctor to arrive or your wife maybe sleeping but you are just too excited or worried. Whatever it is, even at this amazing time in your life, hospitals can be boring. There are only so many back dated copies of Women’s World a man can read. Don’t get us wrong, as riveting as that can be, sometimes you may just need more!

 
- Change of clothes. We are not suggesting your whole wardrobe but after 24 hours sitting or striding up and down hospital corridors and of course, perhaps after cuddling your newborn (which doesn’t arrive already washed and dressed) you may want another top. In our experience, hospitals also seem to be warm places so some shorts and a t-shirt, especially in the summer, are good options. Equally your essential toiletries like deodorant maybe of use. It maybe that you will be one of the lucky ones and your partner will be in labour for an hour or two. If so great. Equally if not, and your only consideration for you when you left the house was putting a pack of crisps in her handbag before you left, and you are there for 2 days, boy is that a “long, long” time!

 
- Mobile and telephone book. It’s your job, and boy what a fantastic one, to tell everyone the good news. Mobiles, if you have one, are great as you can text everyone with the same message at the same time. Particularly useful if the new baby arrives in the wee small hours. You can deliver the message without disturbing people and get back to cuddling your child  without having to worry about leaving the ward later.