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Childbirth

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

Hospital Bag - What the hell do I need?

57 replies

LuckySalem · 18/11/2007 22:23

I've got 2 bags ready to pack, one for baby and one for me.

I've started on the baby's one. Put 15 nappies, some wipes, 3 shortsleeved baby gros and snowsuit (am due 2nd Jan so assuming it'll be cold)

What else do I need for baby bag? Also I know I need nighties, dressing gown and slippers for me, what else?

Cheers everyone

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Habbibu · 19/11/2007 19:01

Just to second FOOD! I had a long active phase and was ravenous all night, despite eating all of a fairly substantial meal. Packed loads of cereal bars and ate pretty much all of them...

Good luck!

LuckySalem · 19/11/2007 19:20

I didn't think the hospital allowed you to eat while you were in labour? Is this different depending on which one youre in or a standard thing?

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Habbibu · 19/11/2007 19:24

I think it does vary from hospital to hospital, but I meant after the baby was born - had spent almost 2 hours pushing and was tired and VERY hungry! (but also very very happy!). Eating didn't really cross my mind in labour, so also I suppose it was about 12 hours since I'd had anything to eat.

LuckySalem · 19/11/2007 19:27

ahh right not during (d'uh face) lol

Thanks, will make a carrier bag FULL of food and make DP get me a McD's (hmm, Mc D's starving now!!) he'll have to smuggle it in though. lol

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bookofthedeadmum · 19/11/2007 20:27

I was so hungry after I'd delivered dd that I consumed a not-quite ripe pear in minutes and everytime the mw poked her head through my curtains, I had a mouthful of crackers. My dd spent her first night surrounded by a nest of little crumbs . I also have embarrassing mememories of shovelling sweetcorn (normally a vegetable I'd cross the road to avoid ) into my mouth with one hand whilst nursing my dd with the other hand - what a nice picture this must conjure up! Loads of Mums rejected the hospital food but I barely tasted it, being so ravenous . Plenty of food is a must . Nowt worse than being hungry in my book.

Heated · 19/11/2007 20:30

Only read the OP so sorry if already mentioned but: flip flops for the showers!

bookofthedeadmum · 19/11/2007 20:33

I must admit a lot of my stuff that was carted in for my labour wasn't used - my cd player/music being one of them. All that was shoved under the table by one of the nurses and that was that. Even the baby bag was stowed the wrong side of the bed (away from my birth partner)so it wasn't ready when the paed called for it.

MrsBadger · 19/11/2007 20:35

lucozade sport
lots of water
(dd was born in Aug and we actually took a coolbag)
NB there is no evidence base to stop you eating / drinking in labour - in fact the cascade of not drinking, becoming exhausted, needing a drip to keep you hydrated which in turn limits your mobility etc etc is no fun

stand your ground!

bookofthedeadmum · 19/11/2007 20:40

I wasn't allowed to eat in case I was sick . They gave me an antacid tablet ("just in case you get heartburn") which nearly did the trick instead. I think if I had any more dcs I'd probably stand my ground about eating if I was hungry.

Heated · 19/11/2007 20:48

Yep, you'll be wearing your maternity clothes out of there, you might dream of never seeing them again but they'll be with you for a bit longer

Something to give birth in.

Big knickers, either in case of emergency op or just for space for those gigantic maternity towels. I bought some cheap granny knickers from Asda assuming I'd throw them away but they were indestructible!

Light dressing gown - maternity wards are sauna-ish in temperature whatever the time of year.

With my first I fiddled around with blobs of cottonwool to clean baby's bottom - didn't even occur to me not to use wipes with my 2nd, especially with that yucky tar like first poo!

Towel for you and for baby.

Bibs

Money for phone - mobiles not often allowed.

Also my mw recommended rinsing 'down there' with a jug of water since it often hurts to pee, and she suggested using tea tree oil as well since it smells nice and is a natural antiseptic but there probably is a proper product to buy.

LuckySalem · 21/11/2007 20:58

Quick question - I've seen some PJ's with button fronts but they're quite light in colour. Do you think it would be tempting fate to get something erm.... easily stained?

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lulumama · 21/11/2007 21:00

you are likely to leak ! milk, blood, that sort of thing... if they are cotton, you can probably get away with it as you can do them on a really hot wash

LuckySalem · 21/11/2007 21:09

I was thinking of while i'm in hospital more than anything. Don't want to have to walk around stained (not soo worried bout the milk though)

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33kjs · 21/11/2007 21:18

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

33kjs · 21/11/2007 21:27

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

LuckySalem · 24/11/2007 15:56

well i've started to pack my bag and have seen that I still need to get some stuff (like mittens) is there anymore tips out there for me?

Thanks for the replies so far. It's been great!

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rubik · 24/11/2007 16:02

recommend nightie also. i took in pj's ended up with a c.s. and they're useless with a catheter.

also recommend face wipes for you. made me feel human.

a quick sugar rush may help in labour. jelly babies type thing....

EvangelinesMum · 24/11/2007 22:25

I would also recommend making sure you have lots of spare pads and old/disposable knickers ready at home - you'll be amazed how quickly you get through them. They had lots of spare pads in the hospital bedside table so I half-inched some of them too!
Muslins/burpie cloths for feeding
DEF recommend water - I read a tip to keep a bottle of water in the freezer till you leave for hospital then it will slowly defrost and you have iced water ready. Not sure I noticed when the time came though!
Shower stuff/Towel/Toothbrush & paste - felt a million times better when I could clean myself up and brush my teeth.
Oh and best of luck!

sam86 · 25/11/2007 17:23

hiya! whats your due date? mine was 23rd nov but am still here browsing through MN and feeling nervous!!

this is my first too but have packed my bags (after reading loads of hosp bag lists) (must admit almost broke the zip on mine!)-
for babys bag am using the changing bag that came with pram so it has a change mat in it and side pockets that make it easy to put things like toiletries in!
babys bag -
ive packed - nappies, cotton wool, barrier cream (just in case! i read somewhere that a thin smear of vaseline on the bum is good (on babys bum haha) to help with gettin off the tricky first sticky poo's?ive packed a tin of vaseline in my bag to use as lip balm -lips meant to get really dry with panting/ gas and air- so will double it up maybe), vest, babygros, hooded towel, have took a trial size pack of newborn baby wipes too, antibacterial wipes, a cardie, coming home outfit, snowsuit (so cute!) with mittens attached, hat, scratch mitts, and a shawl.

my bag - about 3 nighties and a pair of pjs, lots of breast pads, towels, 2packs of maternity pads, toiletries and easy make up,face wipes,deodrant wipes, bobbles, hair band and hair brush (think hair on my face would do my head in during labour!), coming home outfit (just cheap velour trackie- comfy, warm and not tight on waist!), slippers, light dressing gown, book, ipod, camera, lip balm, nipple cream (lansinoh) for sore nipples from breastfeedin, 2 nursing bras and a nursing sleep bra (read these can be comfier till you can get measured again once milk comes in as can be totally different to what size they say youll be before), money (change for phone and notes for sending dp to macky d's!), snacks, drinks. oh and magicool for labour! it was a godsend in egypt when i was 5months gone! notebook and pen to note down birthweight etc, and with list of numbers dp needs to call after babys born! cheap knickers. think thats about it - you can see why zip almost broke!

hopefully that will be everything as cant fit much else in there! have also packed a third bag, that can stay in car and be brought in if needs be, with change of clothes for partner (just in case its a long one!), extra towel, etc in.

oh and dont forget your notes! mine arent in bag yet as am now overdue and going MW on tues if still no sign, and am paranoid il forget them! the most important thing!

also got car seat and base and car seat rain cover and blanket all ready to go in the car and have practised gettin it in! (harder than thought it would be till we knew how!)

dont know why have bothered packing though as baby is obv v happy where she is and doesnt appear to want to come out!

sorry if this is like an essay! hope ive remembered everything! x

LuckySalem · 25/11/2007 17:35

WOW Sam - Thanks very much!!
Have pretty much packed although we have a little plastic bag with abit of food (crisps etc) and DP's clothes. I know i'll need a few things before we go but I've got till 2nd Jan.

OP posts:
PestoMonster · 25/11/2007 18:12

V-shaped pillow for breastfeeding

sam86 · 25/11/2007 18:22

haha sorry that was an essay! (thats what being overdue and bored does to you!) aww a new year baby! good luck with the end of your preg and labour - hope it all goes well and heres hoping both have quick and painless (hahhaha) labours!! x

Sarahjct · 25/11/2007 19:19

My bag has been half packed for weeks and I really want to finish it this weekend (am 33 weeks). I just wanted to canvas opinion though. I really detest those snow suits - they are such a faff to put on so I wasn't going to bother. I've got a Bug in a Rug on my wish list for someone to buy as a pressie but that won't be till afterwards. So, am I alright wrapping LO in a blanket and hat to put her in car, drive the 5 mins down the road to home and run into the house?

I don't want the MW to call social services before we even leave the hospital! She's due 10th Jan btw.

LuckySalem · 25/11/2007 19:50

Hi Sarah, I don't know for definate but I'm pretty sure they're unlikely to let you do that. What about getting a couple of baby grows? and blankets?

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Ambi · 25/11/2007 19:54

LS My list is rediculous, More like a hosp suitcase! Can cut & paste if you wish though - picked up most things from Mn anyways

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