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

[macdat]

I always pack too much when I go anywhere, I've been known to take a small suitcase for 1 night away , 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?

I had a very fast birth - arrived at hospital 10cm dilated at 9.30 pm, DS was born at 10.30pm. But we were in for four days, so even if your birth goes well you might need to stay in longer than you think. I never even got my bag out of the car til after he was born but the snacks and drinks kept me going for the next day so I would definitely take snacks!

Bikini. I had a water birth but just took my knickers off and kept my bra on. There wasn't enough time to get changed.

Most of my bag basically. Only needed toiletries for me and a change of clothes. And big pads. I never understood why some of the threads here suggested candles, music, snack, drinks etc.

I second not taking a fluffy dressing gown. Always hot on the wards.

Couldn't use any of the newborn nappies or babygro's as I had a big baby and they didn't fit him!

Focus picture!! I was too busy pushing with my eyes closed

Almost everything...

Frozen bottles of water, pillows from home, snacks, sandwiches, magazines and books. I can't remember what else was in there but DH was laden down like a pack horse!

Nightie to wear during labour, pj's, some lounge wear, clean underwear, maternity pads, straws (for drinking water in awkward positions), make up/toiletries, phone & charger and a couple of baby vests were all that I used.

Had a laugh at candle
I was really unprepared last time so I used everything and needed more, I have big boobs so would never be able to just go topless for breastfeeding on a ward. I'm just relying on in laws and my mum to nip anything in that I might need but we live 10 mins from hospital anyway.

I went into hospital with my wallet, my phone and my house keys. I wasn't expecting to stay as ds was very early. I managed..... Seriously these days take what you think you will need and you'll manage fine. Most men can go home/shopping if you are longer than expected, get the practice in of getting help should you need it early.

Cashmere bed socks.
I had read up extensively on MN that all the blood goes to the (ahem) birth canal and you get cold feet.

Evian spray

My own pillow

What I did use for DS1 was a big bottle of water that we'd stuck in the freezer which slowly deforested and was SO helpful because it was so hot I sure as heck didn't need bed socks

Newborn size clothes. ds2 was 10lb and straight into 0-3m size. Had to send dh to sainsbury's as we had nothing for the poor mite to wear.

Same Frazzled and also new born nappies.

Books (plural). No idea how I imagined it would go!
Wish I'd taken more snacks, although these were mainly consumed by dh. My friends to this day relate fond stories of how he texted them throughout my labour (I had no idea), including an heroic description of his in-put (giving me drinks etc) but also a detailed account of his consumption of (my) jelly snakes!

This is such a good thread! I'm off to downscale my bags

Haha loving that people thought to bring pillows, board games and candles

I packed two nighties and two sets of PJs but spent most of the induction in my underwear, then a surgical gown for the section.

Didn't wear most of the clothing I packed.

Didn't use the bikini top I'd packed as I didn't end up in the pool.

Didn't bother with nursing bras as it was easier to feed topless.

On the whole I probably packed the right stuff for my Plan A birth, but I ended up with Plan B, and there's no way of knowing that ahead of time.

One thing I did use was a plastic bag to put my dirty clothes etc in so I could keep it all tidy.
So basically you need a couple of morrisons carrier bags, a toothbrush, some pads and a pair of pyjamas!!

I would take two bags. I needed way more stuff than I had. But then I had a long labour, an emcs and then had to stay in another 5 days. And I read a lot of books in those 5 days - was so happy I brought my kindle!

Tennis balls (for massaging my back) "Don't TOUCH me!!!"
Clary sage oil
Massage oil
Book of funny facts

But I'm not sorry I took them...they might have been useful! You just don't really know what will help you until you are in the position!

I WISH I hadn't brought cheesy Dorito's! I couldn't eat anything but DH did and the STINK. Oh my God. Don't take any snacks that have a smell!

Oh and breast pads. No. I never actually needed them... have two unused boxes still...

Didn't need the magazines or make up I took with me. Did need more sugary snacks. (Specially when dh dropped my Percy pigs on the floor!)

Things I had but did not use :
Fleece dressing gown. It was about 30 degrees on the ward.
Fluffy bed socks.

Things I really needed but did not have :
A pair of shoes*
Enough maternity pads
Nursing bras
Hair ties and clips.

Things I was very grateful for but would be pointless for a 'normal' short stay:
Makeup (after 3 or 4 days it made me feel a bit more human)
My own pillow from home
Lots of food

*my waters broke unexpectedly at 35 weeks, went straight to hospital. My shoes were soaked in amniotic fluid and I threw them out. Husband didn't manage to bring me another pair of shoes for about a week, so I was essentially stuck in the hospital building. He kept forgetting! He is wonderful in many ways, but I was ready to strangle him.

Breast pads. Lucky you if your milk comes in at day 0 or day 1. But mine didn't, so they were completely redundant.

A nightie. I was straight into a gown.