what was/is in your hospital bag?

[lucysmam]

After a scare of very early labour the other night I have today instructed my SIL2b to pack her bag & have it by the door just in case.

I know what was in mine but wondered what other people had in theirs as if there's anything that wasn't in mine but may be useful, then I may add it to her list to get which I am writing for her tonight & she is buying Weds.

Thank-you

For me:
3 button nightshirts (long enough so don't need bottoms)
Slippers
Dressing gown (although very hot so didn't actually use it)
Flip-flops/crocs for shower (crocs better to keep balance in)
Nursing bras
Breast pads
Maternity pads
Cheap primark knickers (disposable far too uncomfortable)
Hairbands and brush/comb
Book and magazine
Flannel and body puff
Shampoo and conditioner
Soap free body wash
Dark coloured towel and extra towel to dry hair
camera

For baby
4-6 vests
4-6 babygrows
3 scratch mits
3 hats
2 blankets
nappies
wipes

Think that's it, and I only checked my hospital bag again yesterday.
Will watch thread incase I forgot anything.
Good luck to your SIL

Oh, and anti-bac bathroom wipes (you don't know who was in there just before)
Fresh wet wipes for myself in case can't get to shower/bath straight away
Make-up in case you want to look nice for any visitors
Snacks, snacks and snacks

My tips would be to pack plastic flipflops or crocs which you can wear in the shower and double as slippers. Don't even look at the floor in the shower...

Facial wipes and moisturiser, hairbrush and hair elastic/hairclip. Mascara and lipbalm.

All in one bodywash/hairwash, eg l'Occitane milk (very mild), nothing too strongly perfumed and hand/body lotion. The atmosphere in hosp is very drying.

I found one of those roll up washbags with a hanger really handy, the beds have a hook next to them to hang it up on.

SNACKS. Plus cartons of juice, bottled water etc. I actually took a coolbag into hosp the second time - the food was so vile and the ward so hot that the water was always lukewarm. DH would bring M&S salads and fresh fruit in with him...

For labour, it's handy to have some plastic bendy drinking straws so you can have a drink whatever position you are in!

bendy straws are a good one, not thought of them . . . I spent most of my labour hopping (yes, hopping) so didn't need anything like that as I could stop for a sec for a drink. Still makes me giggle thinking about it now!

flip flops for shower & slippers I'll add too. Wipes for bathroom, she's not that fussy but I had some & glad I did!

Cheap knickers she has plenty of so I'll tell her to raid her knicker shop undies drawer for some old ones she can throw, they're a good idea too instead of disposable ones.

Thanks ladies, much appreciated

Lip salve! One of those Evian water sprays too (from boots)to spray a light mist of cool water - I used 3 during labour. Straws definitely. Lucozade was the only drink I wanted and I ate 3 packets of dried apricots.

I wished I'd taken my baby book (I love Dr Spock's Baby & Child) as I stayed in a few days and we couldn't remember how to swadle etc.

Whenever we're asked dp suggests a change of clothes for dad's and some flipflops if expecting a water birth.

Handcream is something I found useful.

Anti bac spray; my room was disgustingly dirty.

More maternity pads than you think you'll need.

Books, magazines etc. I was too hot to sleep!

change of clothes for dad . . .another one I didn't think about & very good idea!

Pads are definately top of my list, I'm donating the 2 packs I have left but putting a couple more on there as well

Lip salve I didn't think to put o either, I always have one in a pocket so didn't worry about that but will stick that on too.

Cheers.

She's going to love me when I give her 2 a4 sheets to get

towels -- they don't provide them usually
i pod
simple face wipes
evian water spray
hair bands
lansinoh (if breastfeeding)
maternity pads
pjs
crocs
Magazines
Chocolate

non latex gloves (have latex allergy)
E45
cotton balls/container for water (for newborn nappy change!)

.....what an excellent idea, can certainly recommend packing your own bag early!! - I was admitted during a routine check up with my DS 6 weeks early so DP had to pack my bag!!! OH MY GOODNESS it was hilarious he was in a real panic bless him so I basically ended up with a bag of sexy skimpy thongs, normal bras which no where near fitted, a see through dressing gown thing and fluffy white towels!
So my only advice would be take old dark towels!!! and spare batteries for you camera! Good luck xx

lmao grumpalumpa, that's what she'd probably pack for herself if left to her own devices as she's not the brightest button in the box, so I thought a list may be helpful or I'll sort it out for her, that way it's going to be full of stuff she'll actually need and no-one will have to worry about carting stuff to the hosp for her

Most important - ipod and ipod stereo! Even the midwife appreciated it - had 10,000 maniacs, cowboy junkies, Jack Johnson, pink floyd,snow patrol as nice and calm.

Then for me:
Change of nighties x 2
Clean undies
Magazines
hand gel
moisturiser
moisturising wipes
hair band
brush
maternity knickers x millions (just cheap granny knickers, not those paper things)
pads
Bf bra
my own pillow
birthing ball - did not use it
change of clothes
camera & charger
change
mobile and charger

For dd:
something gorgeous to wear when she first got dressed
nappies - the wrong size as she was tiny!
5 baby grows
5 sleep suits
cardigan x 2
something gorgeous to leave the hospital in

as it turned out, did not need much of what I took for DD, as she was only 5lbs and what we bought did not fit her. Hosp provided us with stuff until DH could get to shops the next day and buy stuff. But hosp said not to buy muh, they would provide it all as she would not be in it long. She needed lots of layers to keep her temp down and they said by the time she left a week later she would not need all that. They provided nappies for the first couple days too as ours did not fit!

What everyone else said... Plus I also liked having a puzzle book, and for the baby would recommend mittens as mine were always born with quite long fingernails (I also took tiny baby nail clippers, but other people might not want to use them on such teeny fingers ).

Would DEFINITELY recommend lansinoh, best cream ever, but also (more ) for my next one I will be taking a dummy. I KNOW you're not supposed to until 6 weeks or whatever, so don't listen to me, but it didn't cause any problems for us (am still bfing DD 10mo) and it was bliss

she's not bright enough for a puzzle book, sounds an awful thing to say I know but I had to translate for the ambulance driver, mw, and consultant who saw her the other night so definately not an option. Although something to keep her occupied would be good . . . will have a think about that one. Thanks ibble