I know its been done ten thousand times but do I have enough/too much in my hospital bag?

[CherryPie3]

Please advise

Hospital bagBaby(to be added when/if I get to 36wks)
sleepsuits ? x 3
vests - x 3
shawl - ?
scratchmitts x 1pr
hat ? x 1
nappies x10
Nappy bags
wipes x 1pk
blanket - ?

Me
old stretchy vest - for labour
nightdress (front opening)
nursing bra
maternity pads - x 1 pk
pants ? x 10 cheapy to throw away
flip flops
bath sheet
flannel
toiletry bag (containing small sham/cond + shower gel, toothpaste/brush, hairbrush, hand sanitiser, deodorant, perfume, make-up (concealer/mascara/blush), lip balm)
PSP + charger (for dh when I?m in labour)
NDS + charger (for me, when I?m in labour)
Phone charger
Book (in case I get bored of NDS)
Munchies (biscuits, crisps etc)
Energy drinks
Cooling spray - for labour

Shawl not necessary imo, neither is the make up.

Dh brought clothes for me and baby every day so we didn't take a lot. Actually had nothing at all as went in for a scan and ended up with an emergency section.

I would stay at home as long as you can.

I couldn't read or do anything while in labour.

I just think with make up you might be too knackered to care what you look like. I don't wear it so ignore me.

Thanks!

This will be dc3 for me and I remember how nasty I felt/looked after their births - I wished both times that I'd had my make-up with me so making sure thats in there this time around

I wasn't sure about shawl either - hence the '?'. I fully intend to stay at home as long as possible but after a very quick first birth and a longer 2nd birth - I don't know quite where my boundaries are .

I definitely need something to do in labour if it turns out to be a longer one this time, and I get bored easily. Theres only so much tv you can watch and dependent on time of day/night - there might be nothing on anyway. Dh will be highly entertained on his PSP and it stops him from bugging me or feeling inadequate . Might not bother with the NDS tho - I prefer to read, so might just take a book.

Anymore suggestions??

Hi CherryPie! We've not stalked one another for a while, I was starting to feel lonely!

I've been sorting out my emergency hospital bag list too (in case the homebirth doesn't work out), and actually posted up my first draft this morning on my antenatal topic. Was mildly heckled for having too much, but I'm an over-prepared rather than under-prepared kinda person, so I think I'll probably still go with what I planned.

Will re-post my (slightly amended now) long list here for more people to be amused at my first timer naivity. Still debating whether I need more baby clothes... Sounds like I might do. Besides, you never know... Maybe I actually thought of something useful!

(Incidentally... The overnight bag will be sat in the boot of the car during labour and only brought in if I'm staying more than 24 hours. I think I didn't make that clear in the other topic!)

LABOUR BAG
-Maternity Notes
-Birth Plan in Plastic Wallet
-Big/Old T-Shirt
-Big/Cheap Front Buttoning Nighty
-Big/Cheap Knickers x 3
-Old Socks
-Maternity Pads x 3
-Nursing Bra
-Breast Pads x 3
-Toiletries (Mini: Shampoo, Conditioner, Shower Gel, Moisturiser, Lip Balm, Deodrant, Toothpaste, Hair Brush, Witch Hazel. Also: Toothbrush, Hairties)
-Flipflops
-Big & Little Towel (Burgundy)
-Change of Clothes (Nursing Dress)
-Sports Bottle of Water
-Snacks
-Newborn Baby Clothes (1 x Vest, 1 x Sleepsuit with fold over mits)
-0-3 Months Baby Clothes (1 x Vest, 1 x Sleepsuit with fold over mits)
-Baby Hat & Blanket
-Size 1 Nappies x 3
-Pot of Vaseline (For baby's bottom before first nappy/poo!)
-Cotton Balls x handful

OVERNIGHT BAG
-Big/Cheap Front Buttoning Nighty
-Big/Cheap Front Buttoning PJs
-Bed Socks
-Cheap/Big Knickers x 7
-Maternity Pads x 17
-Nursing Bra
-Breast Pads x 17
-Nipple Cream
-Change of Clothes (Baggy Trousers & Nursing T-shirt)
-Newborn Baby Clothes (3 x Vest, 1 x Sleepsuit with fold over mits)
-0-3 Months Baby Clothes (3 x Vest, 1 x Sleepsuit with fold over mits)
-Size 1 Nappies x 17
-Pack of Baby Wipes
-Muslin Squares x 3
-iPod, Headphones & Charger
-Light Reading Material
-Notepad & Pen
-Plastic Bags (For dirty clothes)

DH's BAG
-Copy of Birth Plan in Plastic Wallet
-Change of Clothes (inc. Button Shirt & Undies)
-Water Spray Bottle
-Mini Fan & Spare Batteries
-Mini Pack of Tissues x 4
-Pack of Cleaning Wipes
-Sports Bottle of Water x 3 (2 frozen)
-Snacks x lots
-Box of Chocolates for Midwives (Kept near frozen drinks!)
-Bendy Straws
-Camera & Spare Batteries
-Mobile
-List of Phone Numbers
-Pot of Change for Parking/Phone
-Light Reading Material
-Notepad & Pen
-Plastic Bags (For dirty clothes)

NDS is a good idea, I might put that in my overnight bag in case I end up trapped on a ward for a few days. I doubt I'd be able to concentrate on it during labour.

What are nappy bags, incidentally? And will I need them? Are they just literally bags to put dirty nappies in before throwing them away..? If so, could I just get a roll of cheap sandwich bags and throw those in my bag instead?

Not taking makeup myself, I only wear 'war paint' on very rare occasions. I can see why you might want a few of the basics though, to 'humanise' yourself after the birth before visitors show or the camera starts rolling!

Well hello there Spirael . Missed you!!!

Whatcha been up to??

Your list sounds brilliant - you've definitely covered every angle there .

In fact - you've reminded me of a few things that I forgot - like camera (how on earth could I forget that!!!???)

• Change for parking - will only need this for visiting times only tho cos whenI'm in labour dh gets a special parking ticket so he doesn't have to pay.

• Breast pads - again, how on earth will I survive without these to plug the milk taps??

• Clothes for going home in - rather essential, don't you think.

Glad you posted Spirael, I could have been packing a disaster without your inspirational list

p.s - I think you're very generous letting your dh have his very own bag. Mines getting to pull mine along and thats it

Oh, and nappy bags - yep they're just rubbish bags for nappies - about the same price as sandwich bags to be honest, I prob won't even take them. They're not exactly essential really.

heres my reviewed (anf hopefully improved) list. The baby things will be in a weekend bag, my things in a small trolley-case. DH is not allowed a bag

Is this better?

Hospital Bag Baby (to be added when/if I get to 36wks)
sleepsuits ? x 3
vests - x 3
cardigan
scratchmitts x 1pr
hat ? x 1
nappies x10
Nappy bags ??
wipes x 1pk
blanket - ?

Me
old stretchy vest - for labour
nightdress (front opening)
nursing bra
maternity pads - x 1 pk
pants ? x 10 cheapy to throw away
flip flops
bath sheet
breat pads x 10
flannel
toiletry bag (containing small sham/cond + shower gel, toothpaste/brush, hairbrush, hand sanitiser, deodorant, perfume, make-up (concealer/mascara/blush), lip balm, cleansing wipes)
PSP + charger (for dh when I?m in labour)
NDS + charger (for me, when I?m in labour)
Phone charger
Book (in case I get bored of NDS)
Munchies (biscuits, crisps etc)
Energy drinks
Cooling spray - for labour
Camera + batteries
Change for carpark (visiting times ? free when in labour)

Great list. One thing though -- the midwife at our NHS classes said that our hospital does not allow you to charge any equipment (phones, iPods, etc.) so to leave your chargers at home. You might like to check your hospital's policy on this. . .

Depends if they see them or not

I was in hospital last week for a couple of days and they didn't have any problems, and they probably saw them tbh - I didn't hide them.

I understand that the charger policy is usually due to the rules that require electrical appliances to be tested regularly. Many places won't enforce it but have to have it as an official policy. One friend was in when the tester came and got their charger approved. I don't think many products fail these tests so they seem rather pointless.

Thats what I thought - I know the mw on the ante-natal ward I was on definitely saw them - dh was playing on the psp with charger in when they came to do my bloods, not an eyelid batted.. My phone charger was also plugged in but I'm not sure she saw that cos it was on the visitors chair.

Take your own pillows. NHS ones aren't always great and there's nothing like sinking your face into your own pillow during a contraction ... and sleeping on them afterwards. You can always keep them in the car until you need them.

This is a good idea - thanks!!

Sorry couldn't help but at the breast pads x3 in your first list. You do have 2 breasts don't you?

Otherwise I think your list is pretty good. I packed soooo much for my first labour, although I was in hospital for a while before and after so I still think most of it was justified . Will definitely be more restrained this time around though.

I was making the (dangerous?) assumption that they came in packs of two for the very reason of the majority of women having two breasts, but I could be wrong!

I've yet to actually find any breast pads, to be honest. Not the easiest thing to come by, it seems! Any suggestions where I can locate the elusive pads? I guess Mothercare is the most likely, but that's in a nightmare of a retail park to get to.

Anyway, I've been fine, CherryPie! Decorating the nursery all last week - so exciting! We're almost done now, which means I can shove all the baby stuff into that room and reclaim the rest of my house...for a couple of months at least! How are things with you?

Glad my list was helpful! DH does get his own bag, but mostly so he can carry his own stuff (of course he'll be carrying mine too-!) and because most of the stuff in his bag is the heavy things that I want but he'll be in charge of - such as spraying me down with cold water and keeping me fed/hydrated.

To be honest, I also think that once everything kicks off then my poor DH will get a bit flustered and I want to make things as easy for him as I can. Hopefully he'll just need to remember to grab the bag (and carseat...) and not have to bother thinking too much. Especially since something has likely gone a bit wrong if we're heading for LGI.

That was a good point raised with the chargers... I'll ask about that at my parenting classes at LGI at the end of May. To be honest I'm not too worried as DH and I have the same phone, so he can always charge his battery at home and swap with me when he visits. The iPod and NDS will be a bit more of a pain, but they're not exactly essential.

Besides, smuggling in the chargers and stealthily plugging them in overnight probably won't be noticed anyway, as was mentioned.

Pillow is a good suggestion... I might prep one and leave it out on the side for DH to bring in if I do end up staying overnight. For labour I doubt I'll care, to be honest. I'm hoping for a waterbirth anyway, and I doubt a pillow would be very helpful in the pool! (Though it'd be entertaining, seeing the expressions of the MWs if I try to take it in with me.)

Are earplugs allowed? I would have thought the MWs would have taken a dim view of them as you might not be able to hear your own child/the dinner trolley/the fire alarm/their instructions.

Just a thought..Don't you think perfume and even perfumed deodorant is a little overpowering for a little baby?

you can get breastpads in any supermarket? Can I ask why folk take 10 pairs of pants????

I went in for a nice low risk 'normal' birth and ended up staying in 6 days after emergency rotational forceps - I'll be taking lots of pants for my elcs this time in case I don't get home when expected!

I found the maternity pads useless in dealing with my dodgy bladder so moved to tena ones very quickly. Until then I had to change my (large, cheap) pants every few hours. Went through a LOT of cheap pants and didn't want to give DH the joyous task of taking them home to wash! Such a great feeling to just bin the bloody (literally) things.

at 3 breast pads!! Although can see where the assumption would come from...

Onemoreofus Never had a problem with perfum with my dd and ds so will be wearing it this time too - its not exactly chanel no5 thoo so not too intense.

lal123 Possible TMI but I bled LOTS after giving birth both times and did not like the feeling of wearing dirty pants - I like to change them freqyently - as in everytime I went to the loo. You change you pad, you change your pants. Just a preference of mine I guess.
I get the Asda smartprice ones - 3prs for £1. Easy-peasy

Thanks for your answers everyone

My local supermarkets seem to either be really bad at stocking breast pads... Or really good at hiding them! I even went to the huuuuge Asda to check out their baby event and still failed to locate any! Is there a usual place they stash them? I've checked in both female hygiene and baby stuff aisles.

Does anyone know if the Tena pants are any good for the immediate aftermath of birth? I was debating getting a pack to use (maybe with a maternity pad too if needed?) for the first few times, as being even more easy and disposable than cheap pants initially. Then I can migrate to cheap pants with a pad after the first 24 hours or so.

I wouldn't have thought a scented deodrant is going to cause too many problems... I'd hate to try and find a tiny unscented one for my hospital washbag! There's no way I'm not using deodrant in a roasting hospital at the end of July. No one will visit me!

Spirael Which huuuuuugee asda do you speak of? I know Pudsey is very impressive (and huge) .
I literally just (well in my lunch break) went to the Wakefield asda and bought breast pads - they're near the nappies and lotions (suducrem/johnson shampoo etc)

And I completely agree with you on the deoderant front - it's completely essential!!

If we're going to get really picky I suppose (in some peoples opinion) we shouldn't really use frangranced shower gel or shampoo either.

I don't see a problem with it unless you're squirting it near the baby

Yeah, it was the huuuuuuge store at Owlcotes in Pudsey.

I prowled the numerous aisles of nappies and such there but didn't see any breast pads. Though admittedly there is enough stock that they could have been cunningly hiding behind something! Alternatively if they put them on the top shelf, I might have just not been able to see.

To be honest, I think I'll just give up and order a load online somewhere. So much easier to have them turn up on my doorstep!

For scented products, at least I feel happier now that I chose not to go for the Original Mint Source shower gel in my wash bag. That could have put baby off for life! Instead I believe I'll smell like Dove at the hospital and... Radox for men at home.

Whoops - I may have already packed packed my lovely rasperry milkshake shower gel . It smells divine . Only thing is, I may use before it's time. Never mind...

You'd think all the asda stores would organise things the same wouldn't you? In wakey they're next to the cotton wool/buds and disposable pants and the boxes are almost identical! I almost missed them until I saw the rollback label that was only over one of the products.

Your own towels? I found the hospital towels were about the size of flannels and very thin and scratchy, so brought nice big fluffy dark coloured towels in with me second time around.

Hope you ladies don't mind me using your lists as a template for when I pack my bag soon!

On the subject of perfumed deo/soap I think the reason it's not advised is to do with bonding with your baby - them getting to know how their mums skin smells.