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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

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Original poster

What did you pack in your hospital bag that you didn't end up needing?

63 replies

macdat · 25/02/2016 11:51

I always pack too much when I go anywhere, I've been known to take a small suitcase for 1 night away Blush, and as of now my list for my hospital bag is ridiculously long. Will be packing my bag within the next week or so and want to avoid carrying too much.
I always see threads about what you DO need, so, what did you pack that you didn't need?

OP posts:
FraterculaArctica · 25/02/2016 11:53

Nursing bras (if you're planning to BF). Learning how to get DC to latch was hard enough without any extra clothing items in the way - I was mostly topless or just in a T shirt/pyjama top. Didn't wear a nursing bra till about 2 weeks in when I and DS had started getting the hang of it.

redexpat · 25/02/2016 12:15

Lip balm. Everyone on MN said it was essential. Never came out of my bag.

TeaBelle · 25/02/2016 12:21

Didn't wear Bikini for in the pool
Used about 5% of nappy stash
Packed far too many pads
Didn't use any food as hospital provided food throughout
Didn't wear my going home outfit - just left in my black pyjama trousers that I changed into that morning

I wish I had taken my straightners though

Junosmum · 25/02/2016 14:15

Didn't need the millions of pads they said I would. Or the 20 baby grows. Also didn't need nursing bras- top off to feed.

Needed more sports/ sugary drinks for labour.

Sorebigtoes · 25/02/2016 17:18

Conversley, I needed more baby clothes, pads and food than I took. Kept missing hospital meals when they moved me round, and ended up staying in longer than expected. Just take a big suitcase is my view!

GunShotResidue · 25/02/2016 17:24

Most of my bag. But I'm still packing it all again for DC2!
I took a huge fluffy dressing gown last time, and the ward was boiling. This time I've packed a lightweight toweling gown.

WaccaWacca · 25/02/2016 17:30

My book. Not sure when I thought I'd have time to read a novel during labour. Hmm

thatwouldbeanecumenicalmatter · 25/02/2016 17:31

Pretty much the same as everyone else - too many pads and sleep/bodysuits. Would you be able to pack a minimal-ish bag then pack a second 'top up' bag and leave it at home so that if you run out of knickers/pads/nappies/etc someone can pop to your and pick the bag up for you?

thatstoast · 25/02/2016 17:36

I took a book but I was induced so spent time on an antenatal ward. Never ate my doritos though.

MyNameIsSuz · 25/02/2016 17:42

I was the opposite of some of these - I only took 3 sleepsuits and it wasn't enough, I'm taking more this time! I also didn't use the dressing gown or the millions of breast pads. I didn't wear the proper nursing bra, but definitely wasn't topless - I wore nursing support vests I'd bought for sleeping in, pretty much for the first couple of weeks. Will do the same this time!

BasinHaircut · 25/02/2016 17:44

Do 2 smaller bags. One for if it all goes to plan and you come home same/next day.

Second bag with 'extras' that stays in the car (more clothes/pads/nappies etc) for if you are in longer than expected.

I also stuck everything else that I could think of, that DH might possibly need to bring up to me if I was in for an extended period, in the crib so he could find it easily during trips home.

DS didn't come home till he was 5 days old and all of that prep made things so much easier and less stressful than if things weren't to hand. More than one bag also meant that DH could take stuff home as I didn't need it anymore (dirty washing etc).

Always better to be over prepared than under IMO, especially when you have a tiny baby!

Mouthfulofquiz · 25/02/2016 17:47

I took so much the first time that I could hardly find what I actually needed. Even though home is less than 2 miles from the hospital so any extras could be brought in easily.
I took in full size bottles of shampoo / conditioner! Whole make up bag. Full box of breast pads, 5 baby gros, towels, three pairs of pjs.... Basically enough for a week in a hotel.
I stayed in for 6 hours and none of it got used!
This time I have a smaller bag with travel toiletries and a few bits and bobs. Much better!

Mouthfulofquiz · 25/02/2016 17:50

I second the idea above of two bags. Then if you do need to stay in, you will have the things you need.

kiki22 · 25/02/2016 18:22

I done 2 bags a giving birth and a staying in bag, never used the second. I did read my book post birth DS slept most of the first day I think from the shock so the few hours before DP came in there was nothing to do but read the TV was expensive. I also ate all my food post birth I was starving I hadn't eaten for about 16 hours then for the hospital meals we had to leave the baby in the crib and walk down to the meal room I didn't want to leave or walk anywhere so ate all my food at my bed. I also used my lip balm constantly because I was dehydrated.

Moral of the story like everything else regarding birthing you just never know.

Runningupthathill82 · 25/02/2016 18:43

First time round: snacks. I couldn't bear to eat. And a dressing gown - it was SO hot. Needed far more maternity pads than I'd taken though.

Second time: TENS machine. By the time I got to hospital I was ready to push, so it was redundant.

oldlaundbooth · 25/02/2016 18:47

An eye mask Hmm

Candle Blush

Book Confused

Hedgeh0g · 25/02/2016 18:57

Straws. If I'm honest, I didn't quite understand the point when I was packing them, but people assured me they would be essential.

Snacks. By the time I was hungry enough I wasn't allowed to eat them as my midwife could see the writing on the wall and knew I was heading for theatre.

mouldycheesefan · 25/02/2016 19:01

I used my eye mask - the lights are never fully off.
I also read books.

loL at candle don't think they are allowed in hospital.

I was in for four weeks, dh just brought me stuff as I needed it. I was glad to have my hairdryer and nursing pillow.
Ear plugs are essential. So are tissues. Own towel and flannel. Slippers, socks, dressing gown.

Danglyweed · 25/02/2016 19:14

Dd 1 too much of everything. Dd 2 packed perfect. Dt's didnt take a bag, and to be honest I really didnt feel like I was missing anything, the hospital even gave me toothbrush, travel shampoo etc was even in my jammies so was comfy lol

MunchyMunchkin · 25/02/2016 19:19

Didn't use the lip balm either!

I did eat some of my snacks but after the birth. I was ravenous about 2hrs after the obligatory tea and toast but it was still hours until lunch. DH ate some of it while I was in labour.

Errrnerrr · 25/02/2016 19:21

Make up Blush

ginandmoregin · 25/02/2016 19:22

Hair straighteners Blush Ha!

magpie17 · 25/02/2016 19:23

Make up! What was I thinking???!

I did need the million pads and the lip balm was essential as my lips were ruined from the gas and air.

dannydyerismydad · 25/02/2016 19:26

A board game.

I thought it would pass the time of labour went on too long. Hahahaha.

DS took it out of the shrink wrap a few weeks ago. He's 4.

WorldsBiggestGrotbag · 25/02/2016 19:28

Pretty much everything, both times I gave birth. First time I arrived at 9.30am, took off my clothes and gave birth naked at 4pm, had a shower afterwards so used my toiletries, put some clean clothes on and was home by 8pm. So I basically used shower gel, shampoo, toothbrush and toothpaste, clean clothes, maternity pads and a nappy, vest and sleepsuit for baby.
Second time I arrived at 5am, gave birth at 7.30am and was home by lunchtime. Used the same as above.
Things I packed that I didn't use...
Snacks
Magazines
Books
Nightie
Slippers
Dressing gown
Evian spray
Extra socks
Lip balm
Extra sleepsuits for baby
Extra vests for baby
Hat for baby
Scratch mitts for baby