What did you wish you'd put in your hospital bag?

[quesadillas]

Hi,

Starting to pack my hospital bag. I've got a checklist, and I remember what I packed last time, but is there anything you wish you'd packed and didn't? Or anything not on the regular lists that you included which was really helpful? I'll be having an ELCS, so don't need things to help me during labour, just things to make my stay a little more pleasant and easy. I'll probably be in a good few days. I have packed posh chocolates as I wish I'd had a treat readily available last time.

Thanks!

Watching with interest as I too am having a ELCS in a few weeks and I've just started to think about my bag.
An iPad with films uploaded as my previous two fed loads at night and I was sooo bored and it cut out all the other screaming babies!
Flip flops for the shower.

X

Extra clothes. I was in longer than expected last time so getting my family to bring me clean clothes was a nightmare.

A handheld fan because MY GOD it was boiling.

Change for the snack/hot drink machine

A hairbrush. Had the nicest shower ever after a long labour and a night in a scorching post natal ward then couldn't brush my hair. Annoying!

Start collecting 50p and pound coins for the car park and vending machines. Pack some cereal bars and little cartons of juice.

The main thing I found about being in hospital was that I was so thirsty! I packed some juice cartons both times around, but I think a huge bottle of water would have been good too. I did keep asking for my water jug to be filled up too!

A large sports water bottle. Labour is thirsty work and requests for water were met with a shot glass apparently.

lip balm

Nanny

Flip flops and drinks added, thanks. Can't believe I forgot how minging the shower was last time.

A bin bag. You don't want your dirties in with cleans. Especially if you bleed out, have a poo explosion or get wee'd on by your little one.

I was so glad last I brought my camelbak sportsflask. I am able to drink from it in any position, so didn't have to move up straight to have a drink during labour. Would be handy with elcs scar too.

Socks

One of those Evian face spritzing bottles.

A lot more food.

Antiseptic wipes and flip flops the showers

For the

Antiseptic wipes is a good one.

Same as DXB, but a different brand - I wish I'd had Vichy Spa Water Spray - keep it in the fridge before you go in and spray your face when it's hot in the ward - it's absolutely lovely.

Antibac wipes for bathroom trips especially if shared facilities.

The first time snacks, drinks and extra pj bottoms. Was very grateful I had them the second time. I couldn't sleep after having dd so I sat there gazing at her munching starbursts and sipping flavoured water!

Vaseline or lip balm. I had a emcs and my lips were so dry. I nearly kissed the midwife that found some for me.

I wish I'd taken food for afterwards. I don't know if you can plan better with an ELCS but I threw up the toast they gave me straight after giving birth and then was starving later. If you end up getting to ward between meals, or even after the evening meal, you'll wish you'd brought snacks!

Oh, and toiletries. For some reason I remembered to bring straws and a spray bottle but totally forgot shampoo and shower gel, had to get DH to bring them the next day.

Hot water bottle(s) and a little plastic back massager - they were the only things that really helped with contractions. This sort of thing www.amazon.co.uk/Palm-Urchin-Massage-tool-4-Legged/dp/B00MVKTFPI

A mattress which my husband slept on for five nights while I was in the induction bay, labour ward and postnatal ward - it was a roll up one which was brilliant.

Lots of sweets.

I was in a week longer than i thought.
Extra clothes
Extra maternity pads
Extra pants
A razor
Extra cereal bars

0-3 mo clothes and bigger nappies. My DS was too big for newborn things and my DH had to go and buy some bigger ones

I think I'll pack two bags for me - one for immediate use with a few of the basics, and another with extra everything. Expecting twins so need to be really organised!

A flask. The tea making facilities were along a corridor and around a corner, I couldn't carry ds and make tea and the mw was pissed off with me for asking her to watch him. I didn't want to leave him alone but was desperate for a cuppa so wish I'd been able to make a flask full so I only had to do it once.
Plastic pint glasses and cordial. So didn't have to drink aforementioned shot glasses of tepid water.
Carrier bags. For your washing
Snacks. Stuff like flapjacks. At our hospital if you missed meal times (what with having a person coming out of you!) then you didn't eat.
All in the bag for this time.

For twins, pack one bag with first vest/baby gro/nappy/hat for each baby. I used plastic ziplock bags and labelled them twin 1 (boy) and twin 2 (girl). Frankly it's chaos after they are born so not having to dig around in an enormous bag to find clothes was v helpful.

Spare tshirt and trousers for your DH. DD vomited milk and blood (from my bleeding nipples...) all over DH on the morning of Day 2. Not v pleasant for him the rest of the day.

Defo recommend sports cap water bottle which holds at least a litre. I was sooooo thirsty and it could sit in the corner of my bed without leaking. I used it for months actually!

Also small tip but one I wish I'd known before. You may get bumped for emergency sections - which is totally understandable. But heavily PG with twins is miserable if you are nil by mouth. Demand a drip if you Re waiting more than 3 hours. I was pretty out of it by the time I got to the theatre as I'd been waiting all day.