Is it normal to take a suitcase as a "hospital bag" to a hospital?

[toja555]

Hi, I was always wondering what exactly a hospital bag is (not what should be in there). I am struggling to find the right size "bag" and just had an idea that a proper suitcase with wheels would do the job. Is it normal to go with a suitcase to a hospital or will I look abnormal (like was travelling and dropped into hospital to give birth)? When I gave birth to my DC1 I haven't seen anyone with a suitcase in the hospital, but then I had uncomfortable packed things in multiple bags...

I used a small suitcase for all 3 dcs, not one that would fit in an overhead locker but not massive either iyswim

I had a wee wheely bag that I use for hand luggage on plane.

I had a medium sized suitcase on whells that fit under the bed - will probably take the same again this time

Wheels!!

A bit larger than hand luggage bag would be fine.

With my recent DC4, I took a handluggage-size overnight bag (with my things) and a smaller bag (with the baby's things). But I knew he was likely to be in SCBU when born, and it would be easier to have his things packed seprately from mine and more mobile to move around the hospital than mine.

Don't over pack stuff for days and days, though, your visitors can take dirty clothes to wash and return!

Thanks, the problem is I only have hand luggage size suitcase or a big one? was thinking I need the big one but will rather take the small one plus a hand bag (Tesco bag? :) ) for baby stuff.

I've packed one hand luggage size with clothes and toiletries and one tote to take into labour with me and then another holdall that I'm leaving at home until labour over and i can send Dh or my parents to collect it with extra baby clothes and pads, change of clothes etc!

I had three small bags.
A labour bag
A baby bag
A me bag.

I went in with the labour one (which had 1 nappy and 1 sleep suit in), H was sent to fetch the baby one from the car later and then fetched the Me one.

Don't wory about what it will look like!! Just pack what you want and put it in any suitably small/big container. Or a multiple of.

My pile of stuff is looking enormous. I might copy what SoupDragon said and split it up into different bags and get DH to bring them in when needed.

Check with your hospital. I know my hospital info says that all bags need to fit into the bedside lockers (so the floors can be washed down) so a big bag would be out.

I think multiple bags is a good idea. And pack enough stuff for 24 hours post-birth max as you'll probably be leaving within a day. if you do have to stay longer, your partner or family can bring more stuff in as needed.

I took everything advised to at the anti natal class. I ended up with a big suitcase and I looked like I was gong on a round the world cruise.

I didnt use half of it.

I would agree with the other comments re a 'me bag' and a 'baby bag'.

Good luck;)

I used a small wheelie case and I couldn't fit everything in it. I would happily use a full-sized case next time. I had quite a long (5 night) hospital stay though.

If your hospital has private rooms (they are standard at my local hospital as they recently upgraded the maternity unit so it's all private rooms now) then nobody will notice or care how big your case is. It's probably more awkward if you're on a ward as you will have limited space for storage.

As someone who until recently spent much of my time at work clambering over new mums' belongings at the side of beds I would suggest taking two small wheelie suitcases. The first can be for labour and immediately afterwards - ie your snacks, drinks, nightie, a few sanitary, pads, a couple of nappies and one set of baby clothes. This can then be whisked home by your birth partner, leaving you with the other suitcase containing more nappies, baby clothes, maternity pads, another nightie and going-home outfit. If necessary this can be topped up by your dp when he visits if you need to stay in more than a day or two.

Honestly, there is rarely room to swing a small kitten in most hospital cubicles and it is just plain dangerous to have too much stuff hanging around. When you get out of bed with the baby in your arms you really don't want to be negotiating a big suitcase on the floor.

Having smaller suitcases also makes it a lot easier to find what you're looking for!