hospital bag

[newmummy580]

Do you have any suggestions of hospital bag essentials that you couldn't have coped without?

[Bluebird126]

I am having my first in a few months and was there for sister's first time last year: she says deffo take a small plastic jug to help you per afterwards. Sorry not very glamorous I know! Congratulations on baby.

[StillNoFuckingEyeDeer]

Lip balm

[Bluebird126]

Pee I meant to say!

[MyBreadIsEggy]

I've said it on one of these threads before: FOOD!!!
Lunch was served on the postnatal ward after I'd had DD, and I was given what the person who'd had the bed before me ordered....it was the smallest cheese sandwich I've ever seen in my life Not exactly a meal that would make me feel replenished after childbirth! DH ended up spending a small fortune in the extortionately priced hospital shop getting me some food.
I'm planning a home birth this time around, but will have my bag packed just in case, and there will most definitely be crisps/cereal bars/pot noodle etc in there!

[TheImprobableGirl]

Mine was the tiny squeezy squash things, very diluted wee stings less when it goes over raw skin (sorry, I've had two) and you have to drink loads of water- I found that hospital water was warm and a bit stagnant. So squash helped loads :)

[newmummy580]

Thank you, great suggestions and seem very sensible. Keep them coming..

[TheImprobableGirl]

But ESSENTIAL essentials-

three times as many maternity pads as you think you'll use. Wear them one on top of the other. (Also don't think that always nighttime will do, they won't- you want tesco or boots own brand mat pads imo)
Huge pants (primark/m and s full briefs) in black
Dark pj bottoms/ v loose jogging bottoms
Food
Book/mag/crossword to try and take your mind off things
Phone charger and phone
Baby wipes (good if you can't face hobbling to bathroom)
Wash bag with all wash stuff ready in it (eg shower gel, shampoo, flannel, any make up, moisturiser)
Flip flops/ slipper socks/ slippers for mooching about in when you can't put your normal socks and shoes on
Hair ties/brush/big hair band thing to keep any hair off your face in labour

[scrivette]

Chocolate. I ate lots of Mars Bars afterwards, I agree about lots of maternity pads, I didn't realise how many I would need and had to send my parents out for more.

[Allhallowseve]

Second a couple of packets tesco maternity pads . Few pairs of knickers . Wash bag with essentials ( shower gel , toothbrush hair bobbles deodorant etc)

[insertimaginativeusername]

Instead of a jug I used a small sports bottle as i found it easier to squirt warm water as I went for a pee to ease the sting and felt cleaner from the bleeding.

Also definitely lip balm and snacks, mini pot of Vaseline for baby's bum to stop the meconium sticking. Travel sized toiletries, flip flops for waddling round the ward/going to the bathroom and a lightweight dressing gown to cover up.

Dark PJ's and cheap black pants
Maternity pads
Hair brush and bands

If you are taking more than one size of baby clothes it helps to pack the sets in large zip lock sandwich bags and labelled so your DH can put his hands on the right size easily (if he is anything like mine anyway and doesn't grasp sizing)

[maamalady]

After having two c sections, I'd recommend giant granny pants, slippers, a thin dressing gown, and by god take food. Cereal bars are good, especially for mornings before someone brings breakfast (assuming you are bed bound).

If you're planning to breastfeed take lansinoh nipple cream, it's great. Also pads to stop it marking your clothes.

[bloodymaria]

Nighties with buttons down the front if you're planning to BF.

Comfy socks, pants and pyjamas.

Loads of baby wipes.

Nice shower gel, something different from what you normally use, as every time you use it in the future you'll be reminded of that first post-labour shower.

[fryingtoday]

Ear plugs. Your baby will sleep through the night arrives - and this will be your last chance of uninterrupted sleep for months! Don't let all the hospital noise rob you of that!!(assuming you have to stay in)

[newmummy580]

Thanks everyone, my bag is getting fuller

[MYA2016]

Squeezy squash
Drinks bottle with bendy straw
Crap nighty for birth and nicer pj's for after
Chocolate
Porridge pots (just add water)
Big pants
Lipbalm
Throat sweets
Lansinoh if planning to breastfeed
Comfy going home outfit
Large maternity pads
Breast pads

I also had a back up bag in the car with extra clothes / pants / baby stuff / food etc just in case I ended up in any longer than a day (never thought in would as I sailed through pregnancy). Ended up with emergency c-sec and in hospital for 5 days so was extremely glad I'd planned ahead as I dread to think what dh would have bought me in!

[PixieMiss]

A carrier bag for any dirty clothing

[LumpishAndIllogical]

I am following with interest! This is my second but last time I felt really unprepared. Didn't bring enough sleep wear or maternity pads, so make sure you have enough of those. And this time I will bring an eye mask for sleeping.

frying that is interesting mine didn't sleep at all the first night, basically cried the whole time. Hoping next time I have more luck regarding sleeping!

[Bluebird126]

Taking notes thanks everyone!

[princesspineapple]

Everything everyone else said, plus the below... Even if you don't use everything it's better to overpack than be left wanting!
The lightest pj's and dressing gown you can find, hospitals are boiling. Also Lipbalm and a decent moisturiser for the same reason.
Maternity pads and giant incontinence pants... DP thought this was hilarious but after a 2nd degree tear and episiotomy, the pads in the pants felt like sitting on a cloud
Lavender oil and a plastic jug... If you put a drop of oil in the water on your -ahem- final rinse, it can be quite soothing on the stitches.
Take your own painkillers... They say you can have paracetamol and ibuprofen together every 4 hours but there's never anyone to get you painkillers when you need them!
Put everything in the order it's likely to be used, or in separate easy to find bags inside a mini suitcase... Midwives and panic stricken / knackered DP need to be able to find things easily if you're a bit incoherent.

[CarrotPuff]

At least 4 vests and babygros, and show your OH where he can find more at home. Babies can be quite sicky.

[frangipani13]

A razor! I was in for a week and looked like a gorilla by the end in my lovely nighties with buttons down the front. The natracare pads are much softer than the Tesco ones, I ordered a few boxes off Amazon... and I found disposable pants pretty useful as well. Tea tree oil in a squeezy bottle of warm water for stitches when you pee was a life saver.

[verytiredmummy1]

Big pants!
Forgot with my first and had to ask my dad to buy some for me

[newmummy580]

Thanks everyone, all this is really helpful. Xx

[Quodlibet]

For birth:
Clary sage oil
Water mist spray
Drinking straws (you get a dry mouth with gas and air and having sips of water after contractions is helpful - you might not be able to hold a glass)
Hand fan

[nam207]

Im taking a pack of antibac wipes and plastic flip flops this time. I ended up staying in for a while last time and not everyone leaves the toilets/showers how you'd want to use them.