What’s in the bag? Guide for Fathers-to-Be..

Izza is now in her 8th month plus. Although the calendar estimated the date of arrival on October 3rd, from the looks of the perut; and backing statements from Mak Liah (the Bidan and Urut extraordinaire) and Dr. Tan, insyaAllah Uhm might get to whiff nanny’s rendang and daddy’s favourite kuah kacang on first Syawal! Teruja nya! Early or late, asal sihat sudah…

When I told friends about Izza’s 8th month, surprisingly, the response were generally similar; 3 questions. These questions were so frequently asked that I’ve memorized the answers. Here are the questions:

1. Nanti bersalin di mana?
2. Nanti pantang di mana?
3. Beg dah siap?

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Question 1: Nanti bersalin di mana?

They’re actually asking; Private or Government? If the answer is Private, these questions will follow:
1. Where?
2. If normal how much?
3. If caesarean how much?

And the stories of cousin, colleague, friends yang complaint pasal government’s midwives and nurses yang kerek, kurang ajar and tak tau jaga mulut. Most popular quotes by the nurses, “ Masa buat tu pandai, sedap, ha Sekarang memekik je!..”something like that..

If the answer is Government hospital:

1. Where?
2. Bini hang dapat class apa?

And tips on the art of “bribing” the midwives and nurses will soon follow. Most famous, belanja nasi lemak to all stuff including pak guard.

If you’re both KL-lites, and plan to deliver your child out of KL, be prepared to answer this question. In our case, the location is Kedah.

“Aik? Hang nak IC anak hang no. 02 ka??” / Hang nak anak hang senang masuk Siam tak payah pakai passport ka?


Question 2: Nanti pantang di mana?

This is related to where your wife will be stationed during her confinement period. There are 3 possible answers here. Your home, parent’s/ in laws or confinement centres.

In our case, so far the wife has chosen ‘home’.

You’re asking who will take care of her?
the Atuks Neneks will take turn jaga her.

You’re asking boleh ke?
I’m crossing my fingers dude…”brace for impact!!!”


Question 3: Beg dah siap?

Ni relates to the “emergency bag”. According to all, now the bag must be kept in the car as safety precaution. What are the items should we have in the bag?

Mother’s Stuff
1. Cloths and undies.
2. Maternity Pad
3. Kain sarong
4. Toiletries
5. Biscuits
6. Tumbler (nak best tumbler aluminum merah tu..)

Baby’s Stuff
1. Baju – nak senang, overall yang tutup kaki tu
2. hooded towel
3. pampers
4. Mittens

Daddy’s Stuff
1. *PSP
2. *Digital Camera
3. *Video Camera
4. *Cell phone (nak sms sedara mara and tunjuk jalan ke hospital)
5. Tripod
6. Business Card (mana tau ada business opportunity masa tunggu tu)
7. Big Mac meal
8. Kopiah/songkok (sopan sikit masa nak azan tu)

*Fully charged batteries.

p/s: If the wife complaints about your items, just put all that under the “Baby’s Stuff” list.

Have I missed anything?