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Childbirth

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

Original poster

Is your hospital bag enormous?

52 replies

sazzybee · 08/02/2007 14:25

I've pretty much finished packing mine. What with towels, toiletries, spare nighties, bras, pads, nappies, babygros etc etc, it looks like I'm planning on going on a two week holiday

Does everyone's bag look like this or am I going to look like a total saddo when I go in? I don't want everyone laughing at me

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ProfYaffle · 11/02/2007 15:06

Personally, I'll be going for the slobbing in pj's/nightie option. iirc everyone else on the ward did the same. It's easier after a c/s with the world and his wife wanting to inspect your scar every 2 mins!

becca2007 · 11/02/2007 15:11

Lovely, that's what I wanted to hear... thank you! Good tip on the dressing gown front too, my winter one is huge and fleecy... might leave that at home then. Thanks! xx

divastropwantstodrop · 11/02/2007 20:05

i have packed clothes for slobbing around in as the last two times i was induced i spent alot of time wandering up and down the main hospital corridor trying to get things moving.i dont mind wandering round the maternity ward in my nighty and dressing gown,just not the rest of the hospital.

keiralou · 11/02/2007 20:20

I had a huge bag last time ad dh did have problems finding stuff when i was in labour, so I think this time I might take your advice and take 3 bags or put 3 bags in one big bag. Everyone is right though, you have to take mounds in - evne if you're only in for one night.

Still trying to work out why we might need to pack fairy lights though??

kama · 11/02/2007 20:56

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swalesie · 12/02/2007 01:20

I took one suite case with me (only small) and didnt use half the stuff, found i was only in over night so didnt need 3 quaters of the shit i took with me.

SueW · 12/02/2007 01:22

I had two bags. Good job I didn't have to fly BA to the hospital .

Used all of the cltohing and more as had a cs and stayed in for five days postnatal (DH overseas, no family or help locally) plus one day for induction plus one day in labour.

BrummieOnTheRun · 12/02/2007 12:17

My last birth, I went in (without a bag) for a check up and ended up staying in. DH packed for me. OMG! I had dressy evening tops, but no pants. Poor thing. I guess he was under pressure!

One thing I'm never forgetting again? A clean washing powder scoop (I kid you not) to fill with warm water for those post-natal pees .

divastropwantstodrop · 12/02/2007 13:01

they provide jugs for that purpose in my hospital,brummie
or just tell you to pee in the bidet..

BrummieOnTheRun · 12/02/2007 13:12

am fearful NHS cutbacks may mean a no jugs policy at my hospital

mamijacacalys · 12/02/2007 20:02

Ditto some of the other comments re taking plenty of stuff. I was in for 3 days with DD cos had a bad tear and would say:

  1. Take a whole pack of newborn nappies as you will use a lot - if anything like DD as she pooed meconium constantly (sorry if TMI!)
  1. Don't bother with paper knickers as are too uncomfortable - buy the cheap packs from Asda (3 for a £1) or Matalan etc and chuck away, as work out about the same as the paper ones.

HTH and good luck with your births

wulfricsmummy · 12/02/2007 21:22

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weston · 12/02/2007 22:34

on the nhs information i was given it says to bring two fitted sheets, two flat sheets and two blankets for the baby?? are these necessary?? good job the bags aren't checked in by weight!

specialmagiclady · 12/02/2007 23:23

Mine was enormous and lots oof things got lost when they moved me from one bed to the next.

Ideally, you could do a "labour" bag, an "overnight" bag and a "c-section" bag. Leave the last one at home for OH to bring in, but take the other two in.

I would also sneak in some foam earplugs if you have space. I found them invaluable the night before I was induced for drowning out the sounds of other people snoring/babies crying etc. (Also used them a lot when sharing a room with small baby - they don't filter out ALL the sound, just the persistent snuffling!)

Original poster
sazzybee · 12/02/2007 23:23

Ooh blimey - sounds like they're expecting you to bring your own bedding! They haven't said that at my hospital but I guess it varies between PCTs. I'd check with your MW

I've read about taking your own pillow. Is that really necessary?

OP posts:
becca2007 · 13/02/2007 01:41

Sheets?! I don't think I should read this thread, it's making me feel even more unprepared! lol. Should I have a list from the hospital? Haven't had any information like that from them or MW as far as I know.

How many nappies do babies get through per day, on average? As you can tell I've done my homework... eek!

divastropwantstodrop · 13/02/2007 13:49

i think in the first few days they can get through about 8-12 nappies a day.thats why i get the tesco newborn ones cos theyre so cheap.

bedding?!saying that ,i've always had to ask for bedding for the baby in my local hospital.when i had ds1 i was just given a load.

nhs cutbacks....

SingingBear · 13/02/2007 17:44

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SmudgeMum · 13/02/2007 18:07

I had 3 bags:

A rucksack with snacks and distraction stuff for labour and an old t-shirt to wear,

A small suitcase with stuff for baby (I took 6 of bodysuits, 6 babygros, a pack of nappies, a hat, cotton wool balls, scratch mittens, going home outfit) We left this in the car and DH got it once baby was born

A barrel type bag for me. I took slippers, thin dressing gown, 2 lots of PJs (and needed both), 2 packs of maternity pads, tracky bums, a few loose tops, socks, cheap pants, zip up cardigan top, towel, washing stuff, change for phone, list of people for DH to phone/text. The only thing I didn't use was breast pads because I didn't leak until after I got home (was in 2 nights).
I ended up staying the night before I had the baby and found that the PJs I had taken were a bit small as I had thought I would have had the baby by the time I needed them. The other thing I wished I had had was some bubblebath because I was encouraged to have a bath to ease contractions but didn't have anything to put in it. I did find that I could have asked for pretty much anything and the hospital provided. I think everyone? gets a Bounty pack which has got some bits in it and the hospital provided bedding and towels if needed.

I think you have to take whatever you think you'll need because you'll have enough on your mind already. And yes I moved from delivery room to theatre, to recovery to the ward and the orderly did grumble about the bags and that she'd have to come back for them on a separate trip but I got them all fine!

spongecake · 13/02/2007 18:23

i have one big bag which after reading all the advice I will separate into 3-thanks all!

my mw said not to take big bag full of kit , as we were not going on holiday (!) and she had no intention of tripping over bags whilst I was in labour-apparently mw/nurses will sue the hospital.... have ignored her as, like you say, they have huge list of stuff for you! have agreeed to her face in case they refuse me pain relief on the day

divastropwantstodrop · 13/02/2007 20:28

i was lucky last time cos i was in a side room for being induced and i left my stuff in there(just taking the baby's clothes and my shower stuff)whilst i went to labour ward and i went back to the same room after i'd had the baby.
the maternity ward was very quiet at the time though.

Charlene1 · 13/02/2007 20:34

I took a big holdall. Most important items were:
a Stress ball - I ripped my watch off my wrist during contractions, so used this to squeeze after I'd wrecked the watch.
Cartons of apple juice - you get v. sore throat if you're knocked out for a GA - this helped.

I left out the kitchen sink, but loaded in anything I "might need" - midwives moaned and I had to keep it on the end of my bed - of course, having a cs, I couldn't reach it, and they kept ignoring my buzzing for them, so I recommend having a long shoulder strap that you can drag it up the bed with in that scenario!!
Also, if you can put separate, labelled bags in one big one it helps as my midwives were useless at finding things - they just rummaged through and pulled everything out - which wouldn't go back in - and of course, I couldn't do it myself at that point - eg "please could you find me a babygro"? - 10 mins later, everything was on the bed, and I'd been handed a vest etc...
Much easier to split everything and label it eg make up bag, baby bag

foxabout2pop · 14/02/2007 06:49

Sazzy I'm taking:

2 nighties
nursing bra/s
BFing pillow (essential IMO)
Various booby and bottom pads
pack of Tescos newborn nappies (Diva - snap!!)
baby wipes (hate cotton wool balls)
Camera
Pack on liquorice teddy bears
Decaff PG tips
Lots of baby clothes as they get through them very quickly (have to change them several times a day)
Toothbrush/make up bag/creams etc/comb
Towel (..oh I must remember that!)
My Notes!
A thin dressing gown (I always find hospitals over heated)
Lots of spare old pants + 1 pack disposables
TENS machine
slipper socks
change for parking and phone
mobile for if I venture outside

I stayed in 4 days with DD and just wore my nighties

becca2007 · 14/02/2007 22:30

Got a list from MW today... and thankfully bedding is provided here

It does say, though, to bring teabags/coffee and a mug if you want to be able to have a hot drink whenever you like.

auntymandy · 14/02/2007 22:34

I always plan a small bag. Never stay in. But by the time you have a bath towel in its full!!!

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