Hospital bag for potential c-section and premature baby

[Alb1]

Not sure if I should be posting here or in premature birth so sorry if this isn't the best place!

I'm 28+1 today, baby has a heart problem and things are changing all the time but at today's appointment things didn't look great and they said to come back on Friday and bring a bag and prepare to be admitted to possibly try a new medication or to deliver the baby depending on how things are looking on the day.

I'm assuming delivery would be via elcs due to the heart issue and gestation, do I need to pack anything at all for the baby at this point? Anything extra I should pack myself?

The hospital are reluctant to discuss the future at any point (I assume because they don't really know what will happen yet) which makes it really hard to no what to do!

They've been saying up until today that making it to full term wouldn't be a problem so it's come as a bit of a surprise today, going to try and get as organised as I can between now and Friday and hope for a miracle

[DuggeeHugs]

How confusing and stressful for you

As you may be in for a while I'd suggest several comfy outfits for you, e.g., joggers, leggings, etc., as these will be good before or after birth. Could someone help exchange clothes for washing regularly? My DH had to do this I was in longer than expected so only had clothes for two days.

Other items, especially if CS, include:
Big knickers
Lots of maternity towels
Disposable knickers
Maternity nightdresses

You'll need the usual toiletries and a towel as well as regular maternity clothes if you may be monitored for a while.

Your midwife could perhaps advise you on whether the hospital provide premature baby nappies as I imagine they aren't really available elsewhere? They may also have guidance on hats/blankets/clothing for baby as NICU may have their own needs

Do you know if you want to breastfeed? I'd guess you'll need to express initially if so - again your midwife should be able to advise if you need your own pump.

As with any maternity stay, snacks, drinks, phone charger and entertainment are a must.

Sorry I don't have a lot of answers but hopefully these questions will help as I didn't want to read and run.

Good luck

[sweetchilli77]

my baby was born at 27 week, didn't wear "clothes" as such as too poorly and lots of wires etc. You can buy prem clothes from ASDA especially online. Buy some micro nappies (i used pampers).

Im presuming your baby will be tube fed, but if breast feeding you can use there machines to express and they will feed baby that way until ready to ween.

I wouldn't worry about too much about what baby will need as regards to sleep suits etc, but take a blanket that you have slept with, baby will be used to your smell of you and your partner. It will help if baby is too unwell for skin to skin.

Good luck. Its a scary time but the Neonatal nurses are miracle workers in my eyes.

Look after yourself too x

[Alb1]

Thanks for your replies, I'm being kept in at the min as my appointment got brought forward so will get DH to wash some Blankets and bring them in. The doctors don't want to discuss what happens after birth with me because they are hoping to keep baby in longer, but the baby is getting more ill by the day so they are running out of options, I'd rather just have all the information so I no what to expect!

[Tricycletops]

The NICU will probably provide nappies initially but might then ask you to bring some in - we used the Pampers size 0 ones. We were also asked to provide cotton wool. Our NICU didn't allow the babies to wear outside clothes because of the infection risk - there was a huge collection of clothes in the unit for them to wear when they were well enough. So probably no need to worry about baby clothes for now.

As a PP says the hospital will be able to provide pumps if you want to express; they may even be able to lend you one to take home.

Ask your DH to bring in some snacks for you - I found I kept missing ward mealtimes because I was with DD (and the gap between hospital dinner at 5pm and bedtime is loooooong).

[elliejjtiny]

I hope you are able to keep baby in for a bit longer. The best thing I had with my prem babies was a dressing gown with big pockets. I found I was quite unsteady on my feet with the morphine after my c-section so needed at least one hand free to hold onto the wall on the walk between postnatal and neonatal. Big pockets were great for carrying my camera, bottle of milk or whatever else I wanted to take with me.