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Parenting

Hospital bag packing

56 replies

Tiredpregnantmess · 15/12/2021 12:19

Hi

34+1 and starting the hopsital bag packing today.

What did you wish you took? Any recommendations? Anything a waste of space in the bag?

How many vests/sleep suits should I pack for DD?

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blahblahx · 10/01/2022 19:45

Loving this thread, has helped me feel at ease with packing mine!

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Tiredpregnantmess · 03/01/2022 21:54

Thanks for all the tips guys. Bags are packed and in the car ready for induction tomorrow. Eeep.

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mummyh2016 · 22/12/2021 07:37

A water spray bottle. I was boiling in labour and DH had the very important job of spraying me with cold water whilst I was having contractions.

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SGChome20 · 22/12/2021 07:33

My DH wasn’t allowed to leave the room either once in and after baby was born he had to leave a couple of hours later. He was allowed back in for visiting the next day though so could bring extra stuff in then and take away dirty stuff. Is your DH not allowed to do that?

I second taking flip flops and a large refillable water bottle. I ended up being in for a week so there’s no way I would’ve packed enough stuff for that long. Even though if your DH isn’t allowed to visit he’ll definitely be able to drop stuff off surely.

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Tiredpregnantmess · 22/12/2021 07:21

@Lorw

If you’re giving birth at cramlington, my sister just gave birth there and ended up there 5 days, she said it was absolutely boiling! Like she and her DP were sweating profusely, so don’t pack warm clothes Grin

Also people can drop things off at the midwife desk for you, my mum dropped hot food off for them every day so they had something decent to eat as the food was rubbish. So don’t worry too much if you are missing something.

Tbf my DSis didn’t really have a great experience with the MWs there so hoping you do. Good luck OP.

Oh no sorry she didn't have a good experience. We haven't got any one who will be able to drop things in so planning to take extra in. Even if we did by the time were in covid may mean no drop offs haha. How strange everyone I've spoke to in person said that they were cold rather than hot. Will take thinner stuff aswell as blanket just incase.
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Nat6999 · 22/12/2021 04:45

Earplugs & something to read, I ended up being in 6 nights & was in a single room on post natal, once I felt more human I was bored stiff.

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Lorw · 22/12/2021 04:25

If you’re giving birth at cramlington, my sister just gave birth there and ended up there 5 days, she said it was absolutely boiling! Like she and her DP were sweating profusely, so don’t pack warm clothes Grin

Also people can drop things off at the midwife desk for you, my mum dropped hot food off for them every day so they had something decent to eat as the food was rubbish. So don’t worry too much if you are missing something.

Tbf my DSis didn’t really have a great experience with the MWs there so hoping you do. Good luck OP.

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mogkat · 21/12/2021 20:19

Baby nail scissors/clippers!

My son was born with long sharp nails and he was just scratching me from the moment he was born. I had to get someone to bring a pair in.

It's not something I'd ever seen on hospital bags before and now tell everyone to pack some just in case their baby also is born with long sharp nails!

Also lots of hairbands if you have long hair. My hair was really getting on my nerves and I only had one band and it snapped! Midwife ended up finding me an elastic band in the end 😂

Good luck with the birth!

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Tiredpregnantmess · 21/12/2021 17:54

Thanks everyone :)

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Cheshirewife · 21/12/2021 17:40

Agree with suggestions above. Personal faves:

  • Plenty of food/snacks
  • Tena disposable pants (the adult nappy type): more comfy and saved ruining knickers
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Stade197 · 21/12/2021 17:30

@Tiredpregnantmess

Thanks

How many nappies would you say we need to take. First born so no idea how many they go through on an average. Got loads of pads, lanisoh and pants :D

pop a few pads in the freezer, they don't actually freeze solid but get lovely and cold which is a god send if you tear or have an episiotomy

Lip balm, my lips got sooo dry from the gas & air i was using lip balm all the time

Take clothes for newborn & 0-3 incase you have a big baby and newborn doesn't fit

Long phone charger as plug sockets always seem to be so far from the beds (i got a 4 meter cable on amazon)

Nighties - i took PJs but didn't use them as it was so much easier to do everything in a nightie

Change - my ward had a coffee machine & snack machine which my partner used as he wasn't allowed down to the canteen

Check whether you need to take your own baby milk, some hospitals will supply baby milk and some require you to take your own

Big pants, leggings & a loose top to go home in
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Dipsydoodlenoodle · 21/12/2021 17:17

If you are going to Cramlington - your birth partner isn't allowed out the room apparently so take plenty of snacks for them.

I went to the RVI (November) and we were allowed out for a walk and birth partner was allowed out to get food etc. I was induced so may have been a bit different but I certainly found it fine 🙂.

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Oatsamazing · 18/12/2021 19:51

I had one bottle of Lucozade orange sport and I wished I had about 6 when I was on the ward afterwards. It was warm and stuffy and I'm not good at drinking plain water. Also more substantial food because I didn't eat all day, gave birth at 8.18pm so missed dinner and just had dry biscuits and water. Also the hospital food was disgusting, a plain jacket potato actually tasted bad, I don't know how they managed it!
Apart from that just the usual stuff

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Tiredpregnantmess · 18/12/2021 19:34

@StillFestive

I’m about to give birth at the same hospital soon OP. Had my first there and it was fantastic. DH has been and bought plenty of snacks today, and will probably grab a sandwich or two at the shop at the entrance as we go in (assuming it’s within opening hours and I can wait a few minutes Grin).

Last time we ended up not having enough baby clothes as she wet through a couple of nappies (clearly we were amateurs; soon learnt from our mistakes). For the amount of room a few extra sleep suits takes up I’d say better to take more than not enough. I ended up with an EMCS so agree with the high pants. I was also pleased I’d gone in in slip on shoes. Definitely take Lansinoh if you’re going to breastfeed. I forgot to take a baby blanket for DD last time and we’ll definitely need one for the walk to the car park in December!

I’ve been in a couple of times for monitoring recently and have felt cold as they are trying to keep windows opens for ventilation. I assume in your own room you can decide whether the window is open or closed or not, but I’m taking a dressing gown and slippers in case.

Also, the sockets are quite far from the beds so long charger cables are a good idea.

Don’t know if you’ve been at all recently OP but the parking is currently free too, or at least was up until a week ago. We really are very lucky! Good luck Smile

Yes we were up a few weeks ago for monitoring as she decided to be a bugger and the carpark machine was still broke. Win win. We will be taking a cool box with us for the colostrum so can pop a few bits in with it for DH to keep cool. I'm going to take my blanket for comfort and he's got his onesie. My colleagues wife gave birth at the same hospital in November and he mentioned they appreciated the tub of celebrations they took for the staff as they were running around like headless chickens so got a box ready.

Good luck with the birth! :)
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StillFestive · 18/12/2021 19:21

I’m about to give birth at the same hospital soon OP. Had my first there and it was fantastic. DH has been and bought plenty of snacks today, and will probably grab a sandwich or two at the shop at the entrance as we go in (assuming it’s within opening hours and I can wait a few minutes Grin).

Last time we ended up not having enough baby clothes as she wet through a couple of nappies (clearly we were amateurs; soon learnt from our mistakes). For the amount of room a few extra sleep suits takes up I’d say better to take more than not enough. I ended up with an EMCS so agree with the high pants. I was also pleased I’d gone in in slip on shoes. Definitely take Lansinoh if you’re going to breastfeed. I forgot to take a baby blanket for DD last time and we’ll definitely need one for the walk to the car park in December!

I’ve been in a couple of times for monitoring recently and have felt cold as they are trying to keep windows opens for ventilation. I assume in your own room you can decide whether the window is open or closed or not, but I’m taking a dressing gown and slippers in case.

Also, the sockets are quite far from the beds so long charger cables are a good idea.

Don’t know if you’ve been at all recently OP but the parking is currently free too, or at least was up until a week ago. We really are very lucky! Good luck Smile

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Tiredpregnantmess · 18/12/2021 19:13

@Timeturnerplease

The most amount of snacks you’ve ever had in your life. Think about how hungry you get following an afternoon in the pub with no meals, the multiply that by a thousand.

After DD1 was born I ate the toast and jam that they give you immediately, followed by two portions of breakfast when the lady came round an hour later. I also made DP go and get me a McDonalds, which I don’t normally eat. The hunger is insane.

Thanks for the heads up. :) I'll make sure I pack extra bits :)
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Timeturnerplease · 18/12/2021 19:00

The most amount of snacks you’ve ever had in your life. Think about how hungry you get following an afternoon in the pub with no meals, the multiply that by a thousand.

After DD1 was born I ate the toast and jam that they give you immediately, followed by two portions of breakfast when the lady came round an hour later. I also made DP go and get me a McDonalds, which I don’t normally eat. The hunger is insane.

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Tiredpregnantmess · 17/12/2021 17:13

@stmw123

Everybody! Get your things! We're going to Northumberland where they have private postnatal rooms!!!

That really is a dream OP, enjoy it!

Hahahaha thanks :)
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stmw123 · 17/12/2021 16:59

Everybody! Get your things! We're going to Northumberland where they have private postnatal rooms!!!

That really is a dream OP, enjoy it!

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Tiredpregnantmess · 17/12/2021 12:30

I've chose NSECH at cramlington just off the A19. Highly recommended from friends and family who have been there. Two other reasons it's all single rooms and better parking especially at peak times. My friend had the RVI and said it felt like a conveyor belt. Thanks for the tips :) oo dried fruit I'll add those to the list.

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MsSquiz · 17/12/2021 12:27

@Tiredpregnantmess can I be nosey and ask which hospital you're going to? We're also in Northumberland, but going to the RVI.

When I had DD1 I had a wheeled suitcase for my things and baby's, using packing cubes to keep things separate. And DH had his own backpack in case he needed to stay over (I was in labour for 22 hrs) with his own bits and pieces in, including his own snacks!

I took a selection of snacks (dried fruit, chocolate, crisps, Robinsons, fruit juice cartons) and although I didn't eat a single thing during labour, I wiped the whole lot out once we landed on the post natal ward.

I took a full pack of nappies and a pack of water wipes for baby
I also agree with taking your own painkillers and I took pre made formula (in the little bottles so you don't need to worry about sterilising anything) as I knew I was going to combi feed from the start.

Definitely a good lip balm & moisturiser
Phone charger/ IPad with programmes, films, playlists downloaded

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Tiredpregnantmess · 17/12/2021 12:04

Thanks. DH must take everything he needs in including food so he's stocking up on pot noodles as the only thing they'll give him is hot water from a kettle. I'm tempted just to put all three of our bits into a case rather than several bags be easier as we also have to take the car seat in with us straight away. DH has said he wants his onesie to lounge about in must think he's going on holiday :D

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1940s · 17/12/2021 12:02

Oh yes your own towel!
If DH can't take anything or leave then he needs snacks too as the birth partners don't get fed so maybe a few pre packed sandwiches
I had two separate bags - one mine and one babies so it was easier to bark instructions to DH

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1940s · 17/12/2021 12:00

I had flannels too! Two different colours. One I could wash my face with and one I could wash pits and bits (once again 4 day labour....)

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1940s · 17/12/2021 11:59

Eye mask - I laughed when it was suggested to me but was great to get in the zone or get a bit of rest (if such a thing exists...)
Long phone charger
Lip balm
Snacks - sweet and savoury
A decent drinks bottle
Your toiletries
massive massive knickers on the off chance you get a c section they'll sit above the cut and if you don't they're handy for holding the giant pads
Nipple balm
Bag up babies outfits in little bags - little sandwich bags or the reusable veg bags so you / partner can grab a bag at a time for leaky nappies
Your own pillow in its own obvious pillow case (not white it will get swept up)
For your partner worth them having a small rucksack with cosy hoody, clean pants and a toothbrush as my labour was a 4 day affair and it allowed DH to cosy up and take rest when he could.

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