Quirky hospital bag stuff

[redandyellowandpinkandgreen]

Well my bags are packed and I'm ready to go (sorry ).

I have all the basics recommended but just wondered if anyone else had any suggestions for anything you won't find on the standard lists? Anything you wished you had or will take this time?

Thank you!

Books.

Cake.

biscuits and cake, and a flask of decent coffee.

lip balm and hand cream - very hot in hospitals

Bendy straw. Helps when you need to drink water but are in a myriad of weird positions. It was a lifesaver

make sure you have loads of cotton wool for the tarry first poos - the hospital never give you enough. Also take a little bowl for putting water in for washing the baby

food, tissues and uber soft toilet roll in a clean plastic bag for your use only (but maybe I'm a bit OCD about that).

Even those wet toilet wipes. And a stress ball - you know one of those ones you squeeze in your hands.

Ipod & speakers so I could have my own music. I also took an aroma stone so I could use essential oils (you can't have naked flames in hospitals). I was in ML birth centre so had lots of space.

All I wanted during to eat the 36 hour labour was grapes! My birth partner ate most of my stash of other snacks whilst feeding me grapes

Will take all of the above this time too.

LOL at 'books'!! I couldn't have read to save myself.

A small plastic jug to pour water (luke warm) over your fanjo for your 1st post baby wee. :)

It was such a relief second time round to have my own jug and not have to argue with the midwife over whether it was necessary or not. It was all 4 times!

Have a lovely birth :)

I got told off by the midwife for not having a flannel lol

Sweets, pop, general munchies for afterwards i got offered a scabby cheese sandwich at 2 am ( not good ) my flapjacks and pringles were a lifesaver!!

Baby wipes, for you, to refresh yourself a bit, I always find the maternity wards too hot. I second the toilet paper but encase you're in for a couple of days take a whole roll.

Mild mints/ breath mints.

Carrier bag/ rubbish bags for all the envelopes and wrapping paper clutter - again only relevant if you're in for a day or two.

A bottle with a sports cap easier to drink from if you're lying down.

paper and pens

Glucose tablets to suck on to give you energy.

Freeze bottles of drink so they will be cold.

Lip balm

Food for DP as cafe not open at 2am! :)

Good luck.

Box of chocolates.

for you.

when i was in labour i wasnt allowed to eat incase i needed a c-section which in the end i did so id check with your hospital what there policy is but the food for afterwards is still a good idea. i was starvin an was offered tea and toast, it didnt even fill a gap haha. xx

Lots of snacks for afterwards you will be starving especially sweet stuff.

Flannels (for you to be gently dabbed with)
A decent sized mug
Your favourite tea bags
and biscuits/chocolate

I second the bendy straw - a tip I originally got from MN and a lifesaver in labour

Drinks - squash or something that can be diluted might be good as it'll last longer.

Definitely some bendy straws.

A book or sudoku or something - ok not often wanted during labour, but you may be kept in and not actually have your baby or you may have to go in for induction and have lots of waiting around.

Disposable changing mats, I used mine in all sorts of ways. You can feed the baby lying on one, if its sick etc then you don't need bed changing. Also I kept one under me for peace of mind in case of a heavy bleed so bed is always fresh, especially if visitors are coming.
I changed the baby on one as well, was fab as she always did massive meconium poo as soon as nappy came off, saved any mess going everywhere etc etc

A midwive told me that Lemon Barley Water is the best squash to take. If you have tears or grazes something in the barley water makes your wee less stingy apparently.

Those spray cans of water (Magicool??), which are very refreshing to have sprayed on your face by willing helpers during labour

Energy/sports type drinks - they were just about the only thing I could keep down during labour, but don't think I could have survived without them.

In all honesty, first time round was a long and difficult one - I packed ( in addition to the essentials) some books about childcare, a birth plan, a tens machine, airy fairy relaxation tunes on my iPod. Non of which helped or were looked at all all!
My lesson is learned... this time I think I am going to use that space for something really worthwhile; thinking brie and a couple of cans of koppaberg !
Oh & brain training on the DS!

OK so I meant none (not non) and missed an r out of kopparberg! xx