Hospital bag, what will I really want/need?

[Courtney0x]

Hi all, I am 38 weeks and in the middle of finishing packing my hospital bag and am now worried about over/under packing! It is ridiculous, we live a 10 minute drive from the hospital, so I'm sure if I forget anything or desperately need/want anything my mum or partner can run back for it!

I think I've got everything for the babies section of the hospital bag, although may have over packed.

I was just wondering if there was anything you didn't take and really wish you had, or on the other hand things that you took that you didn't need? I'm aware that my bag looks really full and bulky, but wondering if I've packed all of the wrong stuff! What a ridiculous thing to worry about, I know! But I think worrying about my hospital bag is taking my mind off worrying about childbirth it's self!

I'm hoping to have a water birth, but of course anything could happen and I know this might not happen for many reasons!

On maternity pads, think I tried to change every 2 hours so if you assume you'll be there say 2 days perhaps 20 is fine.

Yes to hairbrush and whatever you need to feel refreshed and ready to face the world - nice moisturiser, a bit of blusher or whatever is your thing. It sounds vain but there are pics of me looking awful, bird's nest hair, drained, exhausted, swollen and blotchy after my c-section, caught on the hop with my gorgeous new baby and happy glowing DP who'd just had a full 8 hours sleep. Of course it doesn't matter and all that matters is that it went well and you have your baby - but still I look at those pics and wish I didn't look so shit. Visitors come at you with a camera and you're like "wha...?" :o

GotToBe sounds wonderful

Flip flops for the shower
Dark pyjama bottoms

Don't bother with a dressing gown

Thank you all so much for replying to this thread, it has made me feel a lot more prepared!

Had forgotten things like hair bobbles and a hair brush, but have packed them now! Baby sponge, how did I forget that?

I really like the idea of having 2 bags, one for extra things, that I probably won't need or even think about, but may make me feel a bit better knowing that they are there if that makes sense?

Have put my dressing gown and big boot slippers in there, as everyone has said they didn't bother with dressing gown? Trying to pack it all into little bags to go into one big one, after reading ClariceBeanthatsme post, so I can say get the little blue bag, or the flowery pink one to dh if I need anything! I know I am 100% over thinking this whole thing, I must sound ridiculous to most of you

Thinking of coming home clothes, I was just going to throw in some jogging bottoms and a tshirt, will I care what I look like leaving the hospital, honestly thought I wouldn't really be bothered about what I look like, hadn't thought about pictures of me, but I suppose no one looks their best on post-birth pictures, do they?

Want to say thanks again for everyone's ideas and tips!

Yes they bring tea and toast!

Nhs is rank! I was in for ten days 5 ante natal and 5 post natal! My own tea was bliss compared to nhs shit and the mug size is pathetic.

I also work in the nhs maternity service and encourage this !

That should say nhs tea/coffee is rank

No I don't think your leaving outfit needs to be smart Kate Middleton stylee! I mentioned that because in my case I couldn't get my t-shirt over my bump and was really uncomfortable. Jogging bottoms and maternity or stretchy t-shirt is ideal.

Take drinks for labour and afterwards. The hospital I was in did let me have some cold water to sip in labour, but I was violently sick and some water just after DS was born. But on the postnatal ward, you couldn't even get so much as a cup of water, never mind any other form of drink - literally (with the exception of the half full diddy plastic cup of orange juice with breakfast (which I only got on the second morning as they forgot me the first), other meals had no drink with them). Tbh I probably should have put a complaint in, I repeatedly asked if I could some water or at least have a cup to fill from the tap and theyd say they'd get some water but they never did. I was on postnatal ward for 36hrs! DH bought me some drinks from ASDA, thankfully.

I took a bag of snacks. I didn't really get to eat anything but DH appreciated the bag (despite having taken the mick beforehand) during the 25 hour labour and 4 night stay on post natal ward! Also for DH, following advice on here I packed spare underwear, socks and t shirt (t-shirt was particularly useful after I'd thrown up on him within 10 mins of getting to the hospital!

I packed some andrex wipes for me, which were useful after my section- before they let me try to stand up, I wanted to have a quick clean up particularly 'down there'

I've heard people say that those aerosol water sprays are refreshing and nice if you're in a warm room/ ward.

I took juice to put in my water too :)

whyowhy- you poor thing re: no drinks! Hopefully that's just specific to the one hospital- there were water machines on the postnatal ward, along with free tea, coffee and fresh orange!

I had three bags, the changing bag with all the baby stuff in, a little wheelie case with my stuff in, was mainly towels, wash bag & maternity pads and then a third bag in the car with spare clothes for us both, more maternity pads & going home outfit so DP could bring them in as required.

I took two lot of clothes for during labour & glad I did as I threw up everywhere over the first set.

Definitely take big black pants & pj bottoms. You definitely won't need a dressing gown, it's always boiling hot in the labour ward. I'd take flip flops over slippers so you don't have to bend down to put them on & your feet won't get too hot. Sugary sweets are a good idea for labour if you're allowed to eat & drink, I wasn't. You will also be grateful of them when breast feeding at 3am. Two of my most valuable items were face wipes so I could clean myself up a bit before I could get out of bed & into the shower and also used in labour to cool me down a bit & a cooling leg spray which again was used in labour. I was induced so my kindle, magazines & headphones for the tv were essentials to get me through the first 24 hours before the labour started.

Good luck!

Andrex wipes are a good idea!!! I didn't take a baby sponge - I didn't wash either of mine for about 10 days - they definitely didn't have a bath in hospital!! Cotton wool to gently wash bottoms was good though.

Defiantly the Andrex moist wipes! I used them for about a month after an episiotomy.

I was in hospital for 7 days, 3 days antenatal waiting for a bed and 4 days post natal ( baby in SCBU) and even with home 15 mins away it was a pain trying to get DP to get stuff. The more sleepsuits the better - I had to actually ask the night midwives of they had one when DS threw up on his 4th of the day at 3am and we'd been in 6 days. I even had to use unwashed ones brought in as gifts

id pack lots of food in your 'post birth' bag too, i was starving for about a week after giving birth, not helped by the labour wards nil by mouth policy and my vomiting through the tea and toast..

Cash! Especially if you are in a bit longer. My friend did this and she was very happy to have cash, as she could ask her visitors to pop down to the hospital store (or across the road to the supermarket) to go and buy something she wanted.

I agree with food and drink, the amount (and quality) of the food was terrible. I was so hungry all the time and was so thankful I had a bunch of easily accessible snacks. if I'd had to wait until the pathetic breakfast arrived I'd probably have passed out from low blood sugar! still had to send dh for sandwiches though, and even to burger king!

I found the hospital horribly hot.

I had packed pyjamas and dressing gown, and cosy socks and slippers (it was December) and had to get Dh to bring in strappy tops and flip flops instead.

I didn't use any of the cardigans or hats I had brought for dd for the same reason.

I didn't use anything during labour - no food, drink, music, didn't read anything, didn't use the t shirt I had packed for labour either. So complete packing fail here!

I was so hungry after, dh brought me giant burgers from local Byron burger!

Something like a water spray, or even just a plastic bottle or jug, that you can fill with warm water to pour over you after you've done a wee. (Sports drinks bottles where you can squeeze them and get a jet out are good). That really helps with the stinging. I did actually pack a spray but DH took it home after the birth thinking that it was meant for the labour, but fortunately the ward I was on had a little plastic jug in the loo, but I don't know if everywhere does.

And like loads of others I underestimated how many maternity pads I'd need.

Also, make sure you have food/drink for your DP. They won't bring him anything and you don't want him getting faint at 3 am because there's no cafe open (or trying to steal half your manky NHS sandwich)...

I've not read all the comments so sorry if i repeat...

Hospital bag
2 pj tops-- 4 pairs pj bottoms
About 10 pairs of big knicks
30 pads
Breastpads
Bobbles/clips
Slippers... Also an old pair of ballet pumps etc as you need sumthin more solid underfoot for the pacing! (Old as they will prob need throwing away due to waters etc and because they will b stretched from big feet!)
Dressing gown
Normal toiletries - also take some toilet wipes, so much kinder to wipe with cool wet wipe than hospital bog roll!
Bikini if water birth and ur bothered
Mat/feeding bra
Towel
Handtowel - to use as a bath/shower mat, the floors in communal showers can be abit rank!
Baby stuff - 5xbaby grow, hats, mits, blanket, nappies, wipes, sponge, all in 1 wash, vests, bottles? Formula? (You can buy a starter pack which if fab for hospital - sma in boots)
Camera
Phone
Chargers

I had a bag with all the clothes in it and a bag with the cosmetics/toiletries/knickers/pads etc so dh could get me things as needed

Things in the car
A blanket for you - aircon can be very cold at night
Food/cool box
Drinks
Cup
Teabags
Nice bread!!

Going home bag - keep in the carseat so he can't forget it!!
Baby going home outfit
Outfit for you
Card for the staff
Make-up

I would definitely add an old pair of flip flops to your bag op. The shower was disgusting so it was nice to not have to touch it!

Good luck

Lansinoh...apply it from the word go to avoid cracked nipples, its amazing stuff!