After all the pregnancy books and birthing classes, by now you know that your hospital bag has to be packed and ready just in case you need to hop into the car at 3 a.m. for a mad dash to the hospital. But have you given thought to the mind-numbing wait before giving birth if you’re scheduled for a C-section or the time in between feedings and baby tests afterwards? If you leave your entertainment to hospital programming and non-cable TV, you may just sink into early postpartum blues. Consider stashing a few of these into your hospital bag as well.

1. Your favorite tunes (or a book, DVD, etc.)

Anne Santos, mom to Tiago, 2, brought her iPod and an iPod dock. “It really helped during my tunganga moments when my husband and Tiago were asleep, there were no visitors, and I was too exhausted to sleep,” she says. It also kept Anne company when she had to do a lot of walking to speed up her recovery. Bring earphones, too, so you can take your music along with you as you trek from your room to the nursery. You can even introduce the playlist to your baby as the soundtrack of his birth when he’s older.

2. Instant camera and a marker

Have hubby take photos of the guests as they arrive—or even with baby if she’s in the room with you. After the photos are printed, ask them to scribble a tiny note for your new bundle of joy. You and your child will spend hours poring over these photos together and enjoying the stories behind them in less than a year. (Check out Fuji Instax 210 at P3,820. The film is P435 for 10 shots, and is available at Fuji Megamall.)     
An alternative to an instant camera is your trusty digicam, some sheets of bond paper, and markers. Ask your guests to write their wishes or messages for your little one on a sheet of bond paper and hold it up, then snap away!