Hospital bag - am I missing anything?

[Lalarosex]

I am trying not to overpack but also don’t want to miss anything important. Any advice appreciated!
here’s what I have packed

Mine

• Frida mom disposable underwear
• maternity pads
• toiletries inc spritz for bits
• peri bottle
• breast pads
• nursing bra
• 1x set long pyjamas (honestly planning on leaving in these!)
• oversized tshirt for labouring
• swimsuit top for pool
• 1x tshirt & cycling shorts
• maternity notes and birth plan
• lucozade and snacks
• flip flops
• iphone charger
• portable fan

baby

• 3 newborn vests
• 2 newborn sleepsuits
• 1 0-3 sleepsuit
• socks
• hat
• scratch mits
• 10 nappies
• muslin cloth
• wipes
• instant formula
• going home outfit
• blanket

At my hospital they also provide formula. Someone needed formula at 3am, they are not going to send you to Tesco half a day after giving birth.

A power bank, charger block, extra long cable and a
portable/ neck fan,

Nightie as you may end up with catheter placed for longer and cannot wear trousers.
Also, if you end with section you won't like something on the scar.
Wet wipes for yourself.
More baby clothes in case baby throws up or decides to piss allower several times. Thanks DCs ;)
Cotton pads, disposable cups and plain water to clean baby.
Ready made formula with disposable tits bottles as you will not have will/opportunity to sterilise.
Painkillers.
Poop softner for once you come back home. Unless you poop on day 2 take it and thank me later.

And I cannot stress this enough - birth plan written as a legal document with cleqr instructions what you want if you are unable to advocate for yourself.
And a fighting spirit to tell people who are unprofessionall to fuck off.

Definitely have another bag packed at home with your clothes/baby clothes in case you have to stay in. I took an ipad as I ended up watching lots of box sets whilst being induced and headphone for music etc. as the wards can be loud and it can be stressful. As others have said take a variety size of baby clothes. Up to 1m which is 10lbs is good for larger babies. I also found it easier to wear long dresses/nighties. I didn’t want anything trouser like. Also a dressing gown!

Take a second hat for baby. Midwives will put the first one on almost immediately and it’ll get covered in blood and vernix. You’ll want a clean one for baby to wear home!

@HaveYouSeenRain obviously if its an emergency or baby is having trouble latching and needs topping up/tube feeding they provide it. If you plan to formula feed from the get go most hospitals expect you to provide your child with formula.

• nappy bags to put the dirty nappies in
• nighties in case you have a catheter in, and its easier for someone to check stitches (whether in tummy or vagina) by pulling it up than taking off your bottoms.
• a power bank for your phone so you dont have to get up/stretch to the plug socket
• stuff to make you feel good - hairbrush, makeup etc. I found I had quite a lot of time on my hands and it made me feel better in photos.
• a decent outfit for coming home in - you may feel like PJs, in which case thats fine. But you may want to wear comfortable regular clothes (I did anyway). You don't know how you feel, but dont assume you'll feel atrocious. You might feel quite good!
• Your list assumes a v short stay, it may be longer. Pack for 2-3 nights even though you hopefully won't be in that long. It also means that if you bleed over your PJ's, or baby vomits on you, you'll have spares.

Put a nappy and what you'd like your baby to be wearing when you meet them, in a sandwich bag, in case you have an emergency c-section/delivery. Your OH can hand the bag to the midwife to dress your baby.

I was advised to do this and was so glad I did. I had an emergency delivery and didn't meet my baby until she was a few hours old. After all the drama it was lovely to meet my baby in the clothes I'd chosen.

I also wish I'd taken formula too! After my emergency delivery I didn't have any milk. My milk never came in so I had to get milk from the hospital. I wanted to breastfeed but it just wasn't possible.

Slippers (very loose ones as your feet can swell a lot after birth)
Toiletries
Hair band
Plenty of baby wipes for changing bum, hospital ran out when I was there and had to use warm wet tissue until someone brought me up more.
Spare light top for labour & vests for you, can be very hot in those wards.
Spare blankets for baby, as you'll want to keep them wrapped up warm in first few days, especially in the bassinet, and the blanket could get dirty from spit up etc.
Good luck 💕

Oh didn't know you can do that!
Mine just came wraped in towel like a baby burrito lol.