Hospital bag packing

[Tiredpregnantmess]

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?

I’m not in uk, all rooms here are private en-suites ( and free). Pre covid though someone could stay the whole time, standard stay is 5-7 days. Only since covid is it birth partner only until 2 hrs after, then no one else in. I left after 2 days with much persuasion. So usually guests could come and go with bits you need.

In an en-suite, also take iPad and kindle. It was pretty boring

[quote stmw123]@Tiredpregnantmess do you mean private en-suite rooms for labour and delivery? Surely the postnatal ward isn't all en-suites!? Don't forget there's a very real possibility of you going up to the ward after delivery (usually in a bay of 4 or 6) unless you're going private I've never seen a postnatal ward with just private rooms.

Buy the tenna 'nappies' for yourself and thank me later. Mat pads are good incase your waters go at home and for when your bleeding decreases but the giant pull ups are 😘🤌🏼 for the days following delivery.

Bring your own towel because hosp ones are tiny. Bring snacks.

The other biggie is bring your own paracetamol and ibuprofen. Midwives are on their knees, there's a huge staffing crisis in midwifery at the moment and more are going off sick with the new variant. You don't want to be sat on a ward waiting hours for pain relief. Take your own but make 100% sure to let them know what you've taken and when.

All the best [/quote]
We are lucky in Northumberland. The hospital has wards but all single ensuite rooms on the ward so there isn't mixing. This is why partners are able to stay throughout was even the case through official lockdowns :)

Thanks for the tips on pain relief never thought to take my own.

I took too many things with me. only things I really used was shower gel, a sponge, moisturiser some underwear in black that was the size I wore while pregnant, slipped nightdresses and one pair of pjs and I was in hospital for 5 days. I also took some sweets which I had in labour as my mouth was so dry I wasn’t offered water and luckily my birth partner brought a bottle with a straw for me which was a life saver. For baby I had too many clothes also I would say 6 sleepsuits and vests is enough but bibs I needed more off as had a baby who was vomiting everytime he was fed which I didn’t plan for

Thanks for the reply. I had forgotten about bibs. Oops

Flip flops - Too hot for slippers, socks too slippery.
Carrier bags for dirty washing.

I gave birth in May and hospital had a similar "partners not allowed off the ward" policy. With previous births I had haemorrhaged so needed to stay in for 48 hours, so on advice of midwife -i took one bag for 24 hours of stuff for me and baby, dh had a back with a change of top/ underwear and a toothbrush and deodorant. In the car we had another bag with additional 24 hours of supplies as we were told if needed to stay in post birth dh would be allowed out for extra bits, the policy is to stop people in and out all day really. As it happens I was only in for 12 hours, but it was good to know we had spare items if needed

• DH had a bag , not a back

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.

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....)

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

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

@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

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.

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

That really is a dream OP, enjoy it!

@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 :)

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.

@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 :)

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 ).

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

@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 ).

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

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! :)

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

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 🙂.

@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

Agree with suggestions above. Personal faves:

• Plenty of food/snacks
• Tena disposable pants (the adult nappy type): more comfy and saved ruining knickers

Thanks everyone :)

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!

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

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.