Can someone explain to me how you keep your hospital bag small?

[dropthedeadhorse]

Due to give birth soonish. Planned c section. Last time (ended in emcs) I think I packed about 4 bags full of stuff so I’m trying to streamline it to one bag.

So for baby:
6 vests
6 babygros
2 hats
Warm cardigan
2 cellular blankets
3 muslins
20 nappies
Cotton wool

For me:
2 nursing nighties
1 thin dressing gown
Flip flops
2 maternity leggings
2 long nursing tops
2 nursing bras (1 nighttime one and 1 day)
20 maternity pads
5 big high waisted pants
20 breast pads
Snacks
Baby wipes
Hairbrush
Shampoo and conditioner

How does that sound? What have I forgotten/not thought about? Enough nappies there?! Is there anything non essential in there because it sounds like a massive amount of stuff to me! I’ll pack an extra bag to keep in the car with more babygros nappies and muslins etc in but I think once DH has exited the building after the birth he can’t come back in without a Covid test result.

I didn't end up using any breast pads. My boobs didnt leak at all & they were out alot of the time.
Used all my maternity pads an had to get more off the hospital but they were lovely about it. I also used boots disposable knickers which were good.
Used the hospital towels, love a good scratchy towel me! And no laundry to bring home!!
Glad i took nice shower gel & shampoo.
Glad i took 2 blankets as he pood on one.
I didnt use that many outfits for him.
Everything for me to wear i used. Strappy vest, shorts & nice jarmies, then leggings & top to travel home in. Didnt bother taking a bra.
So so glad i took a selection of snacks & drinks & a silicone straw which meant i could drink even lying at a funny angle!
Powerbank to charge phone really handy.

Didnt use the headphones or speaker or kindle at all ha.

Didnt go through nowhere near as many nappies as i thought i would.

@Hoppythehippo my hospital stopped allowing sterlisers and open access to the kitchen due to covid.
A mum in my bay got very annoyed about this as she couldn't use a kettle to have her pot noodle whilst waiting for her induction.

@ragged

How easy is it to take a shower after a C-section? I just wonder about the hair washing plan.

Hi @ragged - my post section shower was amazing! A midwife took walked in with me, and sat me down on a plastic chair under the water, and brought me my washbag. She was nearby whilst I watched myself and my hair (just outside of the shower room, probably checking baby) and then when I was finished, she came and helped me up from the chair, passed me a towel and helped me get back on the bed. It wasn't hours and hours after my section, so my legs still felt pretty wobbly. Felt amazing after that shower!

This is all so so helpful, thanks! Straw, drinking bottle, got it.

So a small wheeled suitcase might be the way to go with a backpack of extras in the car in case of emergencies.

A mum in my bay got very annoyed about this as she couldn't use a kettle to have her pot noodle whilst waiting for her induction.

I've never read anything on MN I related more to tbh.

@TheCraicDealer I wasn't going to tell her she had much bigger worries to come like being in early labour alone at night with the delivery suite queue being so horrendous.

At my hospital we have been told we have to take own pillow and towel so it probably varies. Not sure on whether to also take a nursing pillow?

I know a pp said not to bother with muslins but I did find them very useful. I'd add some lipbalm and some cosy socks for yourself too.