Hospital Bag - best and worst things to pack

[ThinkIveBeenHacked]

about to start my bag. Can you tell me the best thing you included in your hospital bag and the most useless?

[HygieneFreak]

Over the bump leggings incase you have a c section

Big full briefs, same reason as above

Slippers

Dressing gown

Maternity pads

Toiletries

Everything for baby for a few days

Dont pack:

Disposable knickers (they are rubbish)

Cant think of anything else!

[Kitkate78]

Frozen flannels.... I had weird hot flushes in labour and having one of these on my face was amazing!

PJs for the ward. 1st time I stuck with nighties and felt a bit exposed!

[ThinkIveBeenHacked]

oooh frozen flannels would be lovely!

[KipT77]

Jelly babies were essential for me. Only thing I'd contemplate eating and I needed the energy

[frankiebuns]

I'm havinga c section and was told nighties for first 24hrs due to cathetar, sweets for muchies in the nigh esp if u bf.

[mysteryfairy]

As mums of teenagers we had a recent conversation about the reading material we packed when we went in to have PFB. For some reason I thought it would be a good opportunity to read Ulysses by James Joyce. 18 years on and I still haven't had time! But I would have liked some magazines or lighter reading material. A lot of it was so boring - if only smartphones and tablets had been invented! Definitely pack those.

[thatsn0tmyname]

Some really loose cotton clothing is a must. After both births the horrendous post birth sweats left me really uncomfortable and tight clothing was sticky and clingy. A magazine is useful, there's too many distractions for a book. A good quality camera is a must too- We used our phones for photos and the first ones were blurry. Also, cereal bars and juice cartons keep you going during and after birth.

[ohdearitshappeningtome]

Tea bags/coffee and a normal home mug !

[frankiebuns]

Dh has lost our camera somewhere my phones pretty good but its not the same as camera

[stargirl1701]

Tena Lady pants - so much more comfortable than the disposable maternity pants.

At home - Aloe Vera Durex Lube! The most soothing thing ever for stitches after a tear. Store in the fridge for super soothing power

[RandomDiva]

A trashy novel. Preferably one you have read before and love to re-read. And a cotton nightie. Hospitals are warm places.

And a faff free selection of clothes for you and baby.

I also took arnica tablets.

[newmummy470]

I had a c section and I would say comfortable loose nighties and big underwear!.
Camera and camcorder. Those first few hours, days are so precious. Capture as much as u can (or ask someone else to)
Little nappies and baby grows and blanket.

I also took a nursing pillow, they're so comfortable for feeding baby and proping your arm up.

Good luck and congratulations..... It'll be absolutely amazing. Xx

[ThinkIveBeenHacked]

Thanks all! good tips here - mmmm tetley teabags rather than nhs jobbies. good thinking.

Picked some giant black knickers up in tescos today tres sexy!

[Ruralninja]

phone charger, some make up (photos!) nice snacks eg chocolate, hair bands, lip balm, a big shawl/pashmina

[RoseberryTopping]

Both labours I've found a sports bottle the most useful thing. In the midst of contractions I couldn't concentrate enough to hold a cup and a sports bottle can be shoved in your mouth in any direction.

[Dukketeater]

Water spray bottle
Snacks (after you have given birth a couple hours later you will be starving!)
Unscented body wash, towel, clean PJs

[Scoobsmam13]

Best thing I packed last time was the moist andrex toilet tissues you get. Much more comfortable after giving birth. I shall take 2 packets this time though as all the girls in my ward were using mine last time and I near ran out!

[ThinkIveBeenHacked]

Ooh ill

[ThinkIveBeenHacked]

ill add them to the list!

[roastpots]

lipsalve - i had super dry lips
peanut butter sandwiches for after it was all over!
some lovely smelling body wash for that first shower afterwards (so amazing)
nightie/pyjamas that open easily for feeding
flip flops
phone charger
camera

[eurochick]

Best things were giant knickers (c-section) and my phone/tablet (plus chargers) for entertainment and pictures.

[MintyChops]

Riders by Jilly Cooper. And a sports cap bottle for squirting water at poor tattered fanjo in lieu of loo roll.....

[ThinkIveBeenHacked]

[ecuse]

The best thing during labour was something I bought on a whim - those little mandarin segments in juice you get in the supermarket. In the end the ONLY thing I wanted to eat through my whole labour. Ignored the chocolates, crisps, healthy snacks in favour of them :)

After labour - something to eat the next morning. I was a hospital newbie and had no idea I was supposed to wander along the corridor for breakfast. I had given birth at 7pm, nobody had offered me so much as a cup of tea. By next morning I was RAVENOUS. When it got to 10am I politely asked when breakfast was happening and they were all [skeptica] 'didn't you help yourself?'. I couldn't possibly have loved DP any more when he turned up at 11am with pate and a loaf of tiger bread!

I didn't take moist toilet paper, but wish I had now reading the above. Will do so this time!

[Crazymama94]

Well I took a nightie to give birth in but was told to change into a hospital gown so was pretty useless. I packed 0-3m clothes and really should have done newborn, 0-3 swamps them. My phone charger, face wipes, a little make up and about 20 maternity pads were my best packs