Hospital Bag - what do you really need??

[noidea1972]

35 weeks pregnant and trying to be really organised and start thinking about things for the hospital, but what do I really need to take? There are so many different lists out there what are the bare essentials? Any suggestions gratefully received

[Frizbe]

Towel (if your hospital doesn't do them)
Disposable knickers
Always Ultra Pads mega strength
Showergel (and shampoo if your so inclined)
Loose Change or your mobile (if your cheeky!)
Numbers of people to call
Energy sweets/drinks
Clothes for Baby
Clothes for you in case waters go en route
A few nappies
Nappy Sacks
Cotton Wool
Bibs (depends how long your in for)
Muslins
Ear plugs for ward, you'll still hear your own baby thru them
Pain killers
Something to read
CD's for birth (local radio bad in middle of night)

[Chandra]

all what the lists say... plus flip flops for the shower, minus the whales singing CD.

[Auntymandy]

how long do you plan to be in..without anyone visiting?!!!!

you need
nightwear, slipers, underwear. toiletries, towels and sanitry towels

for babt nappies and sleep siuts

[liath]

You're not supposed to BUT I would take in some painkillers, keep them somewhere unobtrusive and not tell the midwives - then you don't have to rely on calling the M/W if you need them.

[littleducks]

dark towel (use hosp ones for immediately after birth)
pjamas and slippers
flip flops for in shower
2 babygros and vests
1 hat and shawl/blanket for way home
shower gel, toothpaste & brush, hairbrush
nursing bra
nappies and cotton wool
cheap knickers (tesco value?)
maternity pads (i got infection from using STs too soon)
nightie for labour (i wore my clothes though so it depends)
muslin to put under baby head in crib

put your going home clothes incar seat for your dp to bring in when your going home

[80sMum]

Don't hspitals provide baby clothes, nappies and maternity pads any more then?? What is the NHS coming to? What happens if you run out of your own nappies, or all your baby's clothes get covered in poo?!

[Auntymandy]

this may be a stupid question, but are S.T's different to matternity pads?

[littleducks]

maternity pads are like cheap sts so are just cotton wool (but larger, longer and thicker) always, kotex etc. contain chemicals to soak up 'stuff' so they can be thinner, but as i found out if you have a graze (and i assume tear/stitches) it is these chemicals which can make you sore. Never had problems before just after birth.

[ninah]

facewipes and maybe a can of water spray

[ninah]

don't forget hat for the baby

[Frizbe]

and yet boots do a thin maternity pad now, the same as always etc, except the always is more absorbant!

[littleducks]

80s mum- basically not if they can help it, baby clothes arent provided but in real emergency could prob be found but you would be expected to get some before outfit needed changing, there will be pads and nappies on the ward but you will only be given some if you run out, if nurse changes baby while you sleep etc.
When i had my dd my mum got out my baby pics and i couldnt believe both her and I had to wear gowns (1986) and i gave birth in maternity skirt, wore pjs and dressed dd in babygros- its very different nosw.

[Joceybean]

Don't forget your pillow. They are always short of pillows and there is nothing more comforting than having your own pillow with you. Also snacks and drinks for after. If you give birth in the evening, it's a long time till breakfast. You may be given some toast or a sandwich but if you were an labour for a long time you may be very hungry. Take some cartons of drink and a packet of biscuits etc... All the best x

[Auntymandy]

When I had my first 3 the hospital gave us nappies and baby gowns. Different hospital with last too. Had loads of pillows though! didnt stay in long so didnt need much. But your visitors can bring stuff in you need. You dont want to have to worry about bags etc when you have your baby. DH and you only want to worry about the baby!

[Joceybean]

Yes maybe it was just where I was. I got told off for borrowing a pillow off the empty bed next door to me

[Auntymandy]

they also brought me a sandwich!!!

[Clary]

If it is at all hot (and even in winter hospitals are) take a big bottle of yr fave drink.

After DS1 was born I sent DH home for a huge bottle of orange juice and soda water as I was soooo thirsty.

I took lots of things for DS1 that I never used - glucose sweets, CD player, face spray, food for DH - but it's hard to know how long you'll be there/what you'll want to do etc.

[babyonboard]

I packed absolutely loads in my labour bag, drinks, energy sweets, face wipes, cooling spray, mp3 player, books, etc etc etc
and the only thing we took out of it was the camera and babygro...heehee

I'd say it's a good idea to pack different sizes of babygros. We only took newborn and it was too big so DP had to go out and buy early baby clothes (he was 6lb 4oz)

And I'd advise loose, dark coloured clothes for you to wear post birth!

[TuttiFrutti]

Take dark-coloured or leather slippers so it doesn't matter if you bleed all over them.

Also, keep baby's clothes and your stuff in separate bags as it makes it much easier to find things.

[babyonboard]

I got DP to bring a few string and linen bags from home too, which was great,as I just had a useless wardrobe with one low down drawer unit at the side of my bed.
I had one for all the changing junk, one for dirty clothes, one for clean baby clothes
one for my magazines, lipbalm, breast and maternity pads etc, and I hung them all at the head of the bed where I could easily reach them.
They were handy for bringing home all the gifts/cards/mags/sweets etc we'd accumulated too.