Hospital Bag

[bumblebee86]

Hi,
I'm expecting my first baby and have no idea what I need for my hospital bag or how much of each thing. What did you take or wish you had. Any help would be great. Thank you :)

[DomesticAnarchist]

Ah, congratulations!

I've just (well, he's 6 months) had DC2 and this time took incontinence pants (Always) for the immediate post-natal bleeding. First time I had pretty bad tearing and though the maternity pads are thick, they were a bit too narrow and I ended up in a right mess. The adult nappies pants kept everything contained, no leaks at all for the 48 hours where bleeding is the worst. (They aren't too glamorous, but they made the biggest difference to my experience!)

Multipack of mars bars too - I was Starving after both births.

This in addition to the standard changes of clothes (cheap, huge nightie for labour, very soft maternity joggers for going home, couple of sets of PJs), baby clothes (pack of vests & sleepsuits), baby blanket, wash bag (have a whole set of everything ready to go - takes the stress out of trying to remember to add things last minute), PHONE CHARGER, towel (dark colour!), etc.

Oh, and ibuprofen. After 9 months off it it's a relief in so many ways!

Good luck OP!

[Hyland]

Nipple pads I never bought any. Assumed i wouldn't need as i was bottle feeding and I kept leaking.

Chocolate and something to eat after. I was hungry after and had to wait for them to serve dinner.

I had a really sore throat from the mmmmm screaming and dry cracked lips. So throat soothers and some blisteze or lip balm.

Plenty of Big comfortable Black cheap knickers. Men ate not good at getting you more from your drawer at home if needed.

Elastic if you want your hair out of your way during labour.

Jug of some type .. to pour cold water over yourself whilst peeing to stop the stinging. Trust Me

Night dress for labour and a fresh one after you have showered.
Actually you may need 3 if like me you end up soaked after waters breaking.

[Stilldreamingofsun]

www.pippa.ie/hospital-bag/
I think this is a pretty good list

[bumblebee86]

Thanks everyone :)

[BellaGoth]

If I could just add my pearl of wisdom? Do not, under any circumstances, try and pack your bag in between contractions at 3am. You won't get everything you need and may end up with somewhat inappropriate underwear!

[bumblebee86]

Just been looking at some lists and some suggest a hair dryer, has anyone taken one and used it?

[Jodie1982]

Plastic bags for soiled clothes. Never have used a hair dryer in hospital. Too noisy and I couldn't have been bothered tbh, and i have never seen or heard a new mummy use one in hospital.

[Sparklesilverglitter]

Chocolate. Cereal bars. Jelly sweets. I was bloody starving after DD recently

Cartons of juice or a few bottles of sports drink

Lip balm. The gas and air will dry your lips out

Nipple cream and pads

A sports bottle to pour water of yourself when you wee for the first time

Hairband to tie your hair back

Phone/iPad charger

Maternity pads, more than you think you will need

A set of lose baggy comfy clothes for when you come home

Whatever you plan to wear when in labour

A nightie or nightshirt ( that opens at the front if you want to breastfeed)

A few baby grows for the baby

I'm not sure but if your formula feeding, you might need t take formula? I'm sure your midwife will know if you ask

I didn't take a hair dryer

[girlingloucs]

I packed a travel hairdryer as the plan was to go and stay at my local birth centre for post natal care. As it was, ds was born by EMCS at my local hospital last Friday and was unwell afterwards so we're still here!

It's been awesome to dry my hair properly on some days, makes me feel a bit more human. That being said if everything had been straightforward and I had gone home immediately afterwards I wouldn't have bothered with one.

This is a list of the stuff that is in my hospital bag:
Toiletries
Hand fan
Tens machine
Book
Big pants
Strappy tops ( good for feeding)
Nipple cream
Water bottle
Flip flops
Tracksuit trousers
Nursing bra
Breast pads
A pen
Phone
Phone charger
Maternity pads
Light jumper
Nappies
Nappy sacks
Wet wipes
Travel size change mat ( really useful)
Baby vests
Baby gros
Baby hat
Plastic bag
Towel
Money
Headphones
Hairdryer
Hairbrush
Snacks - I went with cereal bars
Medication that you take regularly (obv let midwife know)
Pillow (very useful)
If I think of anything else I'll be back!