Due February 2019: here come the babies!

[maxiflump1]

New thread ladies. 2 gorgeous bundles have already arrived...

I think a few I've had have been on the hot side it does say if you feel dizzy which I haven't (above normal anyway as I have low BP)

Will be more careful with adding cold water for future. Pretty much every night I'm having an epsom salt bath as it's helping with the pain.

You're making me feel like I've packed light! I've got one airline carry on sized rucksack stuffed full of mine, baby's and dh's stuff. He's only taking undies, top, deodorant and toothbrush though. If we need anything else he'll have to come home or go to the shop. Food-wise I'm taking a little thermos lunchbag thing (a bit like this www.thermosonline.co.uk/store/Thermos-Essential-Dual-Compartment-Lunch-Case/sp_782 ) with a meal for dh (leftover jambalaya from the freezer), some fruit juice, flapjack cereal bar things and jelly tots. We completely overpacked on food last time so have pared back a lot. One thing to bear in mind is that you'll be fed by the hospital if you're there at meal times but any birth partners won't so if they get hangry like my dh then it's with packing them something.

I started off with a small wheely suitcase but that was too small so have swapped to the holdall (plus nappy bag for baby's things)... but that seems to be too small too! Honestly is my list OTT? It's the maternity pads and dressing gown which are taking up the most space but they are both fairly vital!

Hospital bag:
Maternity notes & birth plan
Nightie/ long T-shirt
Dressing gown
Some huge knickers
Clean PJs x2
Socks
Slippers
Clothes to go home in - loose dress, leggings and cardigan?
Hair clips/band/brush
Laundry bag
Towel
Bottle of water with sports lid
Snacks
TENS machine
Toiletries inc lip balm
Breastpads
Maternity pads (24)
Wipes
Painkillers
Change of clothes for husband
Chargers & battery pack
Camera

For baby:
Nappies and nappy sacks
Baby wipes
Muzzies
Bodysuits and baby vests (three of each)
Blanket
Hat
Going home outfit
Ready made formula

@detachablehoof it doesn't sound ott to me. Are you likely to be in for long? Do you need 24 maternity pads or could you cut that in half? A lot will depend on how long you're likely to be in, whether there is a shop nearby or someone can bring extras in from home.

I've just remembered I do actually have an extra bag. It's a little canvas bag (the kind you get free in stalls) with a pack of nappies, wipes and cotton wool in it.

Woke up at 5am with pain period pain...it doesn't come and go. Its just constant, has anyone else had this ?
I'm 38+2 now...x

@hayley013 - my bump hadn't dropped yet either? I'm 38+2 so thought it would have by now (it had with my first).

@Bluelagoon25 - I rang maternity assessment last night as have been having period pain type sensations but not constantly/ painful. She said it sounds like baby is getting engaged. She said that or its resting on my pubic bone Haha. She said unless it's becoming regular or I'm having contractions / pains it's fine and just carry on as normal. X

I've been having period pains for a few days now, came in to triage yesterday for reduced movements and it turned out my period pains are actually contractions and I'm 3cm so they've kept me in for monitoring as I'm 36+4. Some of them I have to really concentrate on but things don't seem to be progressing particularly quickly though, hoping things pick up today as I'm being induced on sat anyway and don't fancy spending the next 4 days like this!

@MrsY87 - good luck! Hope something starts xx

Anykne still with time left who fancied doing the positive birth company digital pack its only £20 today only with the code hey20k

That’s a really good deal! I paid £35 and have found most of the videos really useful, a few haven’t quite sat with my own personal beliefs but overall it’s worth it. They’re hoping to bring their app out soon too.

@detachablehoof all I would say is that if you’re bringing a proper dressing gown you’ll probably find it’s far FAR too warm. The wards are boiling. I got a v thin light one from m&s. It’s more for modesty. You’ll probably find that a smaller one takes up a lot less room too.

I could probably get everything in one bag but have packed baby’s stuff for ease as I won’t be mobile immediately and DH can get baby stuff out then.

Another rubbish night with Dd who is ill. ‘d’H slept on the sofa so I was kept up with her all night on the basis that he has to go to work... unimpressed.

@Since2016 - ugh that's our arrangement too! Hope she's feeling better soon x

Hey, if anyone is wanting to do the positive birthing company hypnobirthing digital pack it's reduced today only from £35 to £20. I'm doing it and finding it quite interesting x

https://digitalpack.thepositivebirthcompany.co.uk/p/the-positive-birth-company-digital-pack/?productid=517994&couponn_code=HEY20K

Haha I clearly didn't catch up first 🙈 so tired this morning!

I didn't take a dressing gown last time. Ward was boiling and I had button down pyjamas on so quite happy shuffling to the toilet in them and just pulled the curtain for feeding.

@MrsY87 good luck! You've done great to get this far with twins!

I'm not taking a dressing gown, maternity units are mega hot! I'll just be taking a combo of long pyjama bottoms, and long and short sleeve thin cotton T-shirt's, one nightie in case of needing a catheter. Maybe a couple of vest tops too as I was profusely sweating during the night after giving birth xx

I'm not taking a dressing gown either. I get too hot at the best of times so pretty sure I'll be sweltering!

If everything is straightforward we should be up and out in six hours. If not, then either DP can pick up some other bits from home or my parents can bring some in when they visit. A few things I'm just going to keep in car and not bring in too, then when/if needed, DP can just pop out and get them.

Thank you @Notquiteagandt and @hayley013 ! I had debated buying the digital pack a couple of months ago but opted for a book instead. Which I've not made much progress in reading! I've got the digital pack now and am listening to the videos whilst working 😊

I didn't bother with a gown last time, but felt that I probably would have wanted one if I had baby with me (she was in NICU at a different hospital). I managed to pick up a light maternity/nursing one in the Jojo Maman Bebe sale which will be ideal, and see me through night nursing on chilly nights too!

I've packed two bags for hospital. One for labour which will see me through to discharge if we get out same day. I've got a second bag with more stuff for baby and I should we need to stay longer. The second bag will stay in the car until needed.

Hope all is going well @welshweasel and @MrsY87

@MrsY87 hope all goes well!
My pains haven't got worse just constant since 5am. I've had some period pain on and off past few days but this is first time it hasn't disappeared.
I may phone midwife if it continues xx

Again I didn't take a dressing gown. As PP have said you're normally gone within hours if all has gone well and you can always ask someone to bring stuff in for you.

Don't overpack for the hospital as it can be just as annoying as underpacking!

Seems like I am having a long latent phase...contractions I have to breathe through are about 1 every 10mins but they want to keep me in as I'm still pre-term and Incase things pick up quickly as I had a very quick active labour last time 3-10cm in less than an hr! Consultant said if they haven't arrived by Friday then they will break my waters so really hope things get moving before then otherwise I'm going to be super bored and uncomfortable for the next 3 days!

@MrsY87 Hopefully you won't be in for too long a wait! Will they let you get up and about?

@welshweasel - hope it's going well. Update us when you can x

Does anyone else feel like the baby is waving its arms in your thighs? ITS SO WEIRD!!