3 bags packed

[Hobby2014]

1. For labour. Just stuff for me and DH.
2. Baby stuff (nappies, clothes etc)
3. Stuff for me after (knickers, pads etc)

Plan was just take in labour bag then once baby is here go and get the other 2 bags from the car.

But will I immediately need knickers & pads etc? Should I have some in the labour bag? I've got visions of me bleeding everywhere whilst dh is off getting the bags.

Same with nappies & clothes for baby. Will they put baby in a nappy and wrap in a blanket etc then once placenta is delivered dh can go get the other bags?

Or should I put some baby stuff in labour bag?

I would put one nappy and outfit for baby and one pair knickers and a pad into labour bag. I really can't remember the logistics of getting pants and pad on either time but I know I'd feel happier having it there.
On the other hand, they will have some if you don't so it's not the end of the world.

How big are these bags? I'd say you should be able to do one bag with labour stuff, pads, knickers, etc, plus a few nappies and clothes. Then maybe another bag if you stay in.

Yes, you will want pads and baby clothes immediately. Your DH is unlikely to want to leg it to the car. Especially if the placenta is quick.

What do you have that it needs to be split into three bags? Maybe we could comment for you?

One hospital gave me a pad and alarming net pants immediately prior to the basically enforced bath. Another hospital, nothing at all and no bath, woohoo.No one ever offered a nappy. I would definitely have a couple of pads, pants, a couple of nappies and a sleepsuit in the labour bag.

In first bag it's things like a nightie to change into for labour, face wipes, tissues, drinks, snacks, deodorant, hospital notes, change for car park /cafe/vending machine, phone chargers, camera, chargers, ear phones, slippers, socks.

Babies bag is pack of nappies, water wipes, travel changing mat (foldable thing), nappy sacks, ready made milk bottles, (am ff baby), 4 vests, 4 baby grows, 2 blankets, bibs and muslins, hats, mittens, cardigan, anti bac gel & wipes.

Other bag is clean nightie /pjs to change into, going home outfit, decanted shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, flannel, foundation & mascara, hair brush, tooth brush & paste, pads, knickers, breast pads, long cardigan (dressing gown), socks, moist toilet tissue, Then clean top, socks, deodorant for DH.

I have got lists somewhere of what's it what bag but I can't find where I've put it!

You'll need pads straight away - and you'll need more than one. Also baby outfit - you won't want DH faffing in the car at that point.

Can you not rationalise to two bags:

1. Stuff you'll need if you're only kept in for a short time (24 hours or less)
2. Stuff you'll need if kept in longer

I did wonder if I'd shower/bath there or not, if so I won't need those toiletries. I forgot to add I've got a towel packed in the 3rd bag.

I thought I'd only packed enough for 24hours
How many nappies will I need? How many bottles of milk? How many vests / baby grows?
At the rate I'm going the hospital will have less luggage if they came to me

I appreciate that everyone is different, and you want to be prepared, but during labour, once in hospital, from your first list I used:

• drink of water
• car park money

With my first, I put baby in one outfit, changed a handful of nappies, had a shower & changed, then went home. It was boiling hot so didn't need dressing gown, slippers etc. Flip flops might be a good bet.

Can you put enough stuff to do that in one bag then put the extras in the other to be in the car just in case?

Yes, you probably want to rationalise to two bags.

Baby stuff in labour bag: few nappies, wipes, milk (assuming hospital don't supply), couple of vests, hats and babygros, maybe a muslin.

No need for blankets until you go home (unless you've been told otherwise), so those can stay in the car with the car seat.Likewise cardie - wards are hotter than Hades. Don't need antibac at all (you're in a hospital! It's awash with the stuff). Wouldn't bother wth bibs, mittens (do you mean scratch mits? Do the babygros have fold over bits) or nappy sacks either.

From the other bag, you'll want nightie, toiletries, pants and pads straight away. Probably other stuff like dressing gown, extra socks, etc can stay in the car. Clothes to go home in definitely can.

The not bath was a shower. The midwives at home ran me a "bath" too. All of 2 inches deep.

I have never et met a woman who didn't want at least one shower before she left hospital. It's a bit of a bloodbath!

You could easily go through half a dozen or more babygros in 24 hours. But a couple in the labour bag is plenty - with spares in the car.

Sorry, cross posted. In main bag, one outfit, plus a spare in case of poo-explosion should be fine. Put others in 'spare' bag. Half a dozen nappies in main bag, another pack in spare bag. Probably won't need breast pads in first 24 hours as milk comes in later. Stuff for DH in bag in car to fetch as and when needed.

Ok, my bags definitely need some work! Thanks everyone for your advice.
I'm thinking I'll just split it all up into two, so have some of everything in each bag, one stays in car and if I need more DH can get the other bag or get what we need from the other bag.
I'm sure I'll survive if I forget any extras, as long as I have the basics I guess.

I've got a case with 3 bags inside which are labelled "During" "After" and a bag for the baby. That way, hubby can just grab the appropriate bag. I will be taking the case inside with me though as I don't want hubby leaving me once I go in.

As long as it isn't a massive case, that sounds like a good plan. Bear in mind that there is no storage in delivery rooms, so it will need to be tucked in a corner. And if you go to the postnatal ward it probably needs to go under or beside the bed.

You'll probably need at least 8 ready made bottles and disposable teats a day.