What do I pack?! So nervous!!!

[Poppy1989]

Please can someone give me a simple list of things I need..... 38 weeks and so nervous about giving birth. Thank you.

Earplugs
Energy drinks
Phone charger
Lip balm
Change for vending machines or car park
Loads more but my babies crying.....

@Monkeypuzzle32 thank you!

More maternity pads than you think you could possibly require
Water
Pain killers (its a fucker trying to get paracetamol at 4 am when you just want to go to sleep)
Massive knickers
Snacks

A fleece blanket!! Hospital bedding isn't cosy!!

Music for the delivery room
Your birth plan
Any essential oils you want-I also took s sleep balm just because it was a lovely smell
Your own pillow
Book/kindle
Labour ‘outfit’
Slippers or flip flops
Dressing gown
Hair bands
Something comfortable to wear as you leave hospital
Baby blanket
Snacks-vending machines are often broken, or order in pizza!

@TinyTickler @Aprilshouldhavebeenmyname
Thank you! Getting so anxious!

For baby - vests / babygros (2 or 3) , small pack of nappies, hat. For you maternity pads, comfy clothes, slippers / flip flops, big pants, phone charger.

Straws... god send when your in labour
Snacks ( I went off food so something easy to eat )
Flannels ( to wet and cool you down )
Hair bands
Maternity pads ( put them at the top of your bag they're useful when your waters break )
Big knickers that come up high near your tummy ( I had c section and found I couldn't wear low pants )
Clean nighty and clean clothes
Hair brush
Tooth brush
Tooth paste
Shampoo and shower gel
Flip flops or slippers
Dressing gown
Towel
Something to give birth in
Nappies
Cotton wool
Vests
Baby grows
Out fit for baby to go home in
Scratch mits
Baby blanket
Hat
Soft tissue for yourself ( our hospital loo roll was awful, although I didn't use mine )

Phone charger
Camera for baby pics
Your notes
I can think of what else, sorry for long list just thinking of what I packed!! Xx

Lip balm
Flannels to soak in cold water for your face
Maternity pads - lots
Big knickers
Boiled sweets to suck
Phone
Charger
Baby grows
Nappies

If staying in:

Loose jammies
A half held fan - maternity wards are boiling
Earplugs and sleep mask - maternity wards are busy

Jelly babies. For the quick burst of energy!
It's so exciting! Good luck!

@RicStar @Monkeysocks2017 @FairfaxAikman @kirta

thank you all so much. I'm getting very nervous and panicked about the whole situation!

That's so normal! And no amount of anyone telling you it'll be ok makes you feel any better! BUT lying here with my 8week old, and I'd go through labour a million times! Just take it a step at a time. You're built for this!

Poppy1989 is this your first? I was feeling really nervous worried anxious ( my lo is 8 months old now ) so it's easy for me to say, but you will be absolutely okay!! Yes it hurts and you get tired but it's so worth it!! I didn't think labour was as bad as I imagined it would be!! I'd do it again in a heartbeat tomorrow if I could!! I was induced and didn't like staying in the hospital but the midwifes are lovely and you will have your little bundle of joy in your arms soon!! Honestly it's so worth it you'll be okay!! Xx

I found a boots list online and just bought the lot on amazon - all I really used was the pjs and ENORMOUS sanitary towels for me, the baby's outfit and blanket!

Yes first baby! And all of a sudden I have the worst panic of giving birth! I purposely didn't write a birth plan as I don't want to stress out if it doesn't happen. But Iv had friends and family lately who have had terrible births and nothing how they planned.
Emergency c-sections or being cut and forceps to help....and so many failed or gone wrong spinal blocks or epidurals!!

I had in my head just to have gas and air... but I'm so scared it won't be that way!
I have a fear or needles which doesn't help.

I brought a big pregnancy ball... everyone said if I start bouncing on it every night Then that helps it a lot?!

Make sure you have snacks and drinks for your partner too. You don't want them having to pop out at the wrong moment.

Small jug (to poor water over your bits as you pee)
Cleaning wipes incase the loo isn't nice when you go
Squash and a sports bottle
Nighty/pj that open at the front if breastfeeding (preferably in dark colour)
Dressing gown (dark colour)
Tooth paste/brush
Hair brush/hair band/hair ties
Flannel
Non scented soap
Shampoo
Spare clothes including bra (mine got blooded from skin to skin)
Slippers or crocs to
Maternity pads/breast pads (milk probably wont come in whilst you're in hospital but just in case)
Lots of large pants
Phone/charger/headphones
Glucose tablets/snacks

Nappies
Wipes/cotton wool
Vests
Babygrows with built in mits (pack some 0-1 month incase baby is too big for newborn)
Hat
Cardie
Blanket

Depending on how you are feeding,
Nipple shields - probably won't need but if you can afford to loose the money I'd get some incase you do.
Lansinoh nipple cream
Pre pared botttles

Oh yeah pants and t-shirt for partner

In this weather....A FAN..!!!

I've spent the last 2 days wishing for one xx

I think most things have been listed now but just to add a few more:

Lucozade to sip during labour. I felt nauseous and didn’t want to eat before or during labour but the energy from the drink really helped

A bag of prunes to eat once you’ve given birth. It’s common to get constipated post-birth and you absolutely do not want to do any more pushing! The prunes were a god-send and got things moving.

Arnica cream to help with bruising.

I’ve given birth to 3 babies (2 vaginal, 1 c-section) and can honestly say they were wonderful experiences, despite the pain and the fact that none of them went as I’d planned. That’s my final advice - have a plan, by all means, but don’t stress if you end up following a completely different one, whatever happens you’ll finish up with this tiny bundle of gorgeousness and it will all be worth it. Wishing you well.

Your own pillow (hospital ones are plastic that stick to your face!)

Extra long phone charger so you can use your phone whilst it charges

Snacks

Squash for the vile tasting water

Hi OP,
You will be fine. Just remember: 1) It's no tea party 2) It will not be what you have imagined at all, but 3) It will be fine in the end.

Mints, gum, toothbrush/paste, moisturizer, lip balm (hospitals so hot & dry), ear plugs, baby wipes (for yourself) and nappy bags (for your waste, sometimes really awkward to get in and out of bed to get to a bin), painkillers for after, nuts/chocolate/snacks for after (I should have brought in so much more!). Something to read/phone charger. You may go home pretty quickly or stay several days. Anything to feel more human basically. I got cheap ballet slippers and just chucked them afterwards, didn't fancy bringing the hospital floor home.

Really good advice here re packing! As for the feeling nervous thing, would it help to jot down a few things in your birth plan? Mine was along the lines of, I would like x to happen but if it has to be y then I would prefer... things like who cuts the cord, do you want the hormone injection to deliver the placenta, if you need needles then please be that you are afraid of them, etc. little things that you can be in control of.
My contribution to the list is a sports cap water bottle. Very useful as a portable douche when you go to the loo after labour! Good luck!

one of those battery operated mini hand fans... I had one and it was an absolute godsend because hospitals are SO HOT!!
I wanted my husband standing near me with the fan in my face more than I wanted the gas and air!!

Lucozade is also amazing when giving birth