stupid hospital bag question

[Tinkerisdead]

if i pack a labour bag and a seperate ward bag, which do i put my toiletries/clean nightie in? This is my first baby and have no idea how soon or where i actually would get a shower etc?

I know its a bizarre thing to think about especially as im planning a homebirth but still... humour me!

Interested to hear the one bag/two bag debate. I actually took three bags - one large-ish weekend trolley case thing with all my stuff in for the ward, a smaller case for dd (had to provide 2 blankets, four sheets (yes - hospital specified four!) etc plus nappies, clothes, and my labour bag with the TENS machine, snacks, toiletries bag etc in. DH was exhausted having lugged it all to mw led-unit, then having to cart it all to consultant unit, and up to the ward. I stayed in for 5 days though so needed everything and more!

Just wanted to add...
Last time I packed bags about 4 weeks in advance. Got to hospital July 26 2006 and pJs for me didnt fit plus way too hot! Nurse gave me cotton hospital gown. Baby grows didnt fit (10lb 2oz). Had to cut the feet out.
Now due in 4 weeks. Scan shows smaller baby .
One great thing i had last time was an electric fan/water bottle from the pound shop. This time I have 2 just in case one fails.

I would pack one bag tbh. I packed a separate labour bag and left the other one in the boot. Gave birth at 3.15am, no time to use anything out of the labour bag and DH went home at 6.00am with the useful bag still in the car. Had to ponce maternity pads etc until he returned at 11am. MW wasn't impressed.

And it also seemed that the 'don't bring loads because there's limited space in the wards' is bollocks. As it happened I freaked out and ended up in a private room but the one night I spent on the ward proved that you can kick any size bag/case under the bed easily.

Also find out what the hospital's policy on mobiles is. Ours were quite straightforward in saying that it was fine to use them but to be aware of other patients. I wouldn't have survived without my phone to be able to use the internet ring my mum whenever I wanted.

Those 'cool and soothe' gel sheets for your forehead are great - hospitals get so hot and they save messing about with flannels and sprays.

Goodie2shoes I agree - take newborn and 0-3 clothes as you don't know what size your wiggler will be (10lb 4oz!).

Just remember to unpack the bag when you get home. I forgot and found a black banana full of maggots a few weeks later!

Tshirt/nighty to deliver in - take
flannels to bit on, mop yourself down etc take
waterspray take if you plan to kill any one who sprays you
your own pillow ask midwife
a fan personally I'd hurt anyone brandishing one
tens machine midwife may hire them
camera TAKE!!!!
drinks and drinking straws
snacks/sweets etc
a hairband take
music: IPOD/CDs etc
Toiletries esp deodorant take
phone numbers to call after take
change for phone calls/parking/bedside tv take
Birthplan/pregnancy notes take
Clean nighties for ward TAKE!!
dressing gown - dark coloured take a thin satinny one ( asda £3)
big knickers take
maternity pads take !!
babywipes(for you or baby's meconium depending on which side of the fence you stand on using wipes on a newborn) take
daytime clothes if you want to feel normal on ward take! ( t shirt and loose but trousers you feel comfy in)
lavender oil
arnica tablets take!
ear plugs
dark towels take
A book/magazines
pen and paper for notes/thank you cards take
breast pads take!! ( the buggers leak like anything
slippers/flipflops for showers etc take
nursing bras not a huge deal sports bras are comfy and expand
babygros take
vests take
hat this time of year not needed!!
baby blanket take
cotton wool..for the same meconium you darent use wipes on..
vaseline to assist you getting this dreaded meconium off with - its not that bad!! ( I used a wet flannel and chucked it when I was done)
a couple of muslins take
nappies take
nappy sacks
a towel for baby take
going home outfit for you take
going home outfit for baby take
a water jug to pour over your bits when weeing - you'll forget because when you gotta go you won't worry about jugs you'll just go !
fybogel/prune juice to help you poo let your body do its job a glas o prange is fine!

and disinfectant wipes for the nasty blood splattered toilets.... if they are in that state report it don't clean it!!

I would say bring some snacks. Not necessarily for labour ( I wasn't interested in eating then) but for afterwards. I had some toast after having my ds but by the time we got up to the ward, tea had finished, I sent dp out to get some food but the shop was shut and there were no vending machines. I had to go all night starving, save for a few wine gums. This time I am definitely taking food.