slippers, dressing gown and a birthing pool

[Apregnantchicken]

hi i am attempting to pack my hospital bag and am wandering if anyone else has/had packed slippers and a dressing gown. is it worth it? i want to be as comfortable as possible once in there. Also, am hoping for a water birth and not sure what the best thing to wear is once in the pool :)

I packed slippers and dressing gown but didn't really wear them as it was BAKING in the hospital - I think they always keep them really warm.

Flip flops are better than slippers! I didn't use my dressing gown as it was too hot there. Better just having sensible pjs! In the pool I wore a bikini top as I wanted some photos. The midwife looked surprised though - think most people don't bother!

I took a thin dressing gown and also slippers / flipflops - very useful for visiting the toilet in case of messy floors etc.

I had DS in the depths of winter, snow everywhere, and I had the window wide open because it was so bloody hot. It might be worth bringing flip flops rather than slippers - some of the showers can be a bit grim and you can wear them in there as well as just walking around the place.

Hard to say what to wear in the pool - I just stripped off during labour, I couldn't bear wearing any clothes. I didn't use a pool but I know a lot of women use tankini or bikini tops - something tight is better I think as you don't want it all floating up in the water and getting in your way.

Apart from that, bring plenty of food - the hunger after giving birth was something else!

Slippers-yes
dressing gown-no. Its normally very warm in hospital.

I had a water birth with dc3 amd wore a tankini top. No bottoms.

Both times I wore a t-shirt and knickers in the pool, whipping the knickers off just as the baby was about to be born and later the too off to breastfed in the pool covered by a towel.

I kept my bra on for my pool birth with DD, I felt more comfortable that way. Yes to flip flops or get some cheap slippers you don't mind throwing away if necessary.

I wore my dressing gown once out of the pool to deliver the placenta as I got a bit shivery.

I'd intended to have a 2nd pool birth when I had DS this year but didn't have time to fill the pool or to take my clothes off. DS was in a bit of a hurry!

Good luck!

I had a water birth under a week ago - I just wore a bra top in the pool as no amount of buoyancy seemed enough support! Took it off at the end. Didn't bring slippers but did bring flip flops and a dressing gown which I wore when I had to waddle off for stitches (which were no-where near as bad or terrifying as I feared by the way!).

Otherwise most of what I packed I didn't need despite us being kept in for 24hrs observation.

Hit enter too soon. I loved the pool and especially loved the gas & air!
Very very best of luck!!
x

Flip flops were great, went starkers in the pool and only used a loose nighty after DS was born. I didn't use half the stuff I packed!
Hope it all goes well.

I'll go against the grain and say pack a thin dressing gown.

The labour ward was in a totally different part of the hospital from
Post natal ward so I had to walk with DD being pushed in her cot on a busy Saturday afternoon at visiting time through the hospital. I would have hated just being in my nightie.

Thanks for all the suggestions think the slippers are out and flip flops are in! Now I've just got to find somewhere to buy them in December!

I had a water birth and didn't wear anything in the pool. I am usually a bit of a prude but I did not give a toss about being naked in there once 8cm!

I would advise you pack the following in your bag:

1. maternity pads - lots of them (for when your waters break and for the lochia afterwards that nobody tells you about.
2. Hair band to tie hair up with.
3. Some moosic you like.
4. Nightie
5. Slippers
6. Dressing gown optional - is very warm.
7. Couple of cereal bars maybe.
8. Lots of pants.

Best wishes to you!

Adding to ODear's list

• tell DH to pack himself a change of clothes and some deodorant (his responsibility).
• pack some lovely soft loo roll/tissues. (For your delicate parts afterwards instead of cheap NHS loo roll).
• food & drinks- I was starving during and after labour.

There's currently 24,000 pairs of flip flops for sale on eBay! Happy bidding!