Another hospital bag question...

[Sakura03]

I’m 38 weeks 5 days (fmtb) and thought I’d better pack my hospital bag. I’ve been throwing random things in a small hand luggage suitcase over the last few weeks but thought I’d better do it properly now. How on earth do you fit it all in???
I’ve decided to take the baby stuff in the nappy bag and I’ve got:
Small bag of nappies (24), Can I get away with less?
Water wipes, cotton wool pads
3 short sleeve bodysuits
4 sleepsuits (2 different sizes)
2 hats
1 cardigan
2 muslins
1 blanket

For me
20 maternity pads
4 pair big black knickers
4 disposable knickers
Nursing bra, 1 normal bra (for pool)
Dressing gown, mine is quite bulky, I didn’t want to spend money on a new thin one as I never wear a dressing gown anyway, it’s on the hospital list of things to bring, but would it be the end of the world to leave it out?
2 black button front nighties
1 pj - do I really need this?
1 pair of socks
Slippers
Towel
Toiletries
TENS machine
A few breast pads

Still to fit into case: going home outfit
Drinks and snacks
Phone/camera

We don’t have a car so will have to bring anything in. Have I forgotten anything or can I leave anything out?

Thanks peeps😊

[user1493413286]

In my experience hospitals were so warm I didn’t wear a dressing gown, I took a long cardigan for if I wanted to be covered on trips to the loo etc after Baby was born.
I’d bear in mind that your OH can bring in anything you need after the baby is born as I’m guessing he’ll go home at some stage especially if you’re in a couple of days or you could ask anyone visiting to bring in what you need.

[Expectingbsbunumber2]

I AGree hospitals are always so hot so I'm not going to take a dresssing gown. Sounds like your pretty organised . I'm going to pack mine next week

[Sakura03]

Thanks for your quick replies, great I’ll leave the dressing gown out then and just bring a thin cardigan.

[ZippyCameBack]

The hospitals I had all of mine in supplied towels. If you don't normally wear pyjamas then don't take them. Leave the going home outfit hanging up at home where your partner can find it easily. Then he can just bring it in for you when you need it.

[GummyGoddess]

Why do you have two nighties and a pair of pyjamas? As you said pool I'm assuming you're low risk so you should be in and out fairly quickly and not need 3 lots of night wear.

[BabyDreams2018]

A pair of socks and a bath towel for labour bag.
Flip flops for the shower.
Small travel size shampoo/conditioner/shower gel.
Washbag with toiletries/hair brush.
Baby bath wash for baby's first bath and a towel to wrap them in afterwards.
Witch Hazel to pour on maternity pads to soothe stitches if you have episiotomy.

[Sakura03]

GummyGoddess good question! At the moment low risk but this could change due to PGP- level of mobility would impact on whether I’d be allowed the pool so keeping that in mind, thought one nightie might get ruined and could need another or pj if staying overnight but I think I’m going to leave the pj out.

[GummyGoddess]

Is your PGP bad now? Nighties would be better anyway, easier to change pads and wouldn't have any seams pressing you and don't have to bend down to put them on!

As you mentioned breast pads, are your nighties button down so you can easily feed?

[Sakura03]

GummyGoddess my PGP is a bit up and down, but MW explained that it sometimes worsens once baby’s head engages and that the main thing with using the pool is that I can get out quick should I need to. I keep an open mind though as don’t want to get disappointed in case I can’t use the pool. Yes Nighties are button down (but what a nightmare to find some dark coloured button down nighties).

[Bubblysqueak]

I only took pjs as I prefer them. I got button up tops and comfy bottoms. I also found that they kept the pads more secure. I didn't take a drinks bottle but wish I did as trying to pour a glass of water while feeding is a nightmare.

[BabyDreams2018]

I've just realised you're having a water birth - you probably won't need the socks 😂

[GummyGoddess]

I had dc at home but I think this might also apply to you, before getting in the pool I was using hot water bottles which really helped me. Maybe that could help you if you weren't able to use the pool? Or those heat patches if you can't refill the water bottle.

[Guardup]

Have you thought about how you want to feed? You might want some lansinoh if your breast feeding or some bottles if you’re bottle feeding (or both if your not sure how it’s going to go). With my first child I had an unexpected hospital stay. I wish I had packed another bag (left at home or in the car) for my extended stay- I felt absolutely rotten and my husband kept on bringing in my old pre baby clothes that I couldn’t get in to, forgot my glasses and contact lenses. I ended up in an old nightdress of my mums with her glasses that were the wrong prescription. It really didn’t help the situation and I really did feel pretty awful! I would also suggest some flip flops as you can get a bit swollen with the heat and water retention. Best of luck to you x

[GlennRheeismyfavourite]

That’s a huge amount of stuff! I barely used anything I took. Have you got a maternity tankini? I was pleased to wear the top throughout my waterbirth.

[Dinosaursdontgrowontrees]

Re. Dressing gown. I def used mine. Getting up to pee in the middle of the night with leaky boobs, massive maternity pad, bleeding, stitches.. there's no way I wanted to wander about in just a nightie (especially as partners were allowed to stay)

[Afternooncatnap]

More knickers, you can't take enough knickers. You don't need maternity pads the hospital will give you them. Baby will only need blankets, hats vests and sleep suits. I wouldn't bother with a cardigan.

A pillow, hospital pillows are rubbish.

Personally I didn't like being in pj's during the day so I had comfy clothes, a nighty and pj's.

Towel and washing stuff.

I also stupidly took size 10 legging thinking my belly would just go straight down.

[Afternooncatnap]

Gardup

Same happened to me. Unexpected stay, husband kept bring unsuitable stuff that didn't fit.

An emergency supply bag at home or in car is a great idea. Just incase you have to stay. I'm so doing that with the next one.

[nightshade]

You'll be in and out quicker than u think...

Definitely you can get away with less nappies...I took 6...they don't poo or pee a lot in first few days..

If you are nursing skin to skin u will find u don't need baby clothes...I used to wrap mine up in a big muslin so that it was easy for dOctor etc to check them if needed..

Leave a small second packed bag at home for hubby or family to bring in and swap if needed...

[signalgo]

Apologies Sakura, just realised I posted in the wrong section. Have requested it to be moved.

[Sakura03]

Bubbly oh now I might put my pj back in the suitcase.. I’m worried about leaking and I’m just not convinced that the maternity pads are any good...
Guardup I’m hoping to breastfeed - good point I need to throw in the lansinoh cream, if breastfeeding doesn’t work thehospital will provide emergency formula and I’ve got a starter pack on standby which I’ll leave at home.
Glenn no maternity tankini just using a bra.
Afternooncatnap the cardigan is for when we leave the hospital, I did consider leaving mine and baby’s going home stuff with the car seat which dh will go home and pick up (going home by taxi)

[Sakura03]

nightshade good idea about packing an extra “just in case” bag to have at home for dh to pick up if needed.

[Bubblysqueak]

With dc1 my ok top was really long which covered my bum but was a bit annoying when I say on it and tried moving around. With dc2 I had dark bottoms and a shorter top which was great.

I also needed my dressing gown so I could walk down the corridor to the breakfast room.

I also took crocs which were easy to put on and I wore them in the shower.

With regard to going home outfit I didn't bother and wore home what I had wore in.

[Ilovelampandchair]

10 nappies, 10 maternity pads is more than enough. You don't need the cotton wool, I've never needed it any of the 3 times. Wouldn't bother with disposable knickers or dressing gown.

[Ilovelampandchair]

I like nighty for delivery and pjs for after shower.