Hospital Bag

[ChaCha]

Where did you buy yours? Or what did you use?
Any suggestions? Links for good bags?
(Am a big bag fan!)

When did you start getting it ready?

Any suggestions of things to pack that aren't usually on the checklists?

Pack some socks chacha, apparently its not just me but your feet get really cold in labour, I had a nice pair of thick socks on with my nighty in all of my 3 labours

Don't bother with a special bag, just get yourself a lovely new big bag.

Buy a bag for hospital? Um, I just used a holdall. And a grotty one, too, cuz sadly, thieves see opportunities in hospital as well.

I didn't pack one till I was 36 weeks along.

I took EVERYTHING b/c our infirmary provides nothing.

I'm nearly 36 weeks and DH is getting panicky and demands that we sort out the hospital bag this weekend. Be good to know what I need to pack apart from a nightgown/pj's and warm socks. Does anyone have a good list?
Thanks

I packed two bags - one for labour & one for the stay afterwards. With dd1 DD3 only used the clean nightdress for after the birth & babyclothes. Dh brought my hospital bag afterwards.

disposable knickers were fab! Not sexy or flattering but very useful.

And insist that all photos are taken in black and white as everyone looks good in b and w!! Trust me.

Use a normal holdall.

And lip balm as lips can dry out in hospital. And a face spritzer.

Our Matty doesn't seem to provide much, I've been packed for a couple of weeks (am 39) and have packed the following:

For me: couple of nighties, slippers, light-weight dressing gown, underwear (old pants rather than disposables), nursing bras, breast pads, sanitary towels, tracksuit bottoms, couple of t-shirts, vest top from my mat tankini (hoping to use birthing pool), wash bag filled with minitures of everything I'll need, book, notepad and pen.

For baby: nappies, cotton wool, 3 sleep suits, 3 vests, going home outfit plus socks, couple of cardies, pram blanket, nappy sacks.

Hubby taking care of : camara, lists of phone numbers etc, towels (if it turns out I need them), shorts and t-shirt for himself (hoping for water birth - can be warm for dads in the room apparently)

Figure anything we've missed can easily be got at a later point. Have packed mine and baby's stuff into separate bags so if anyone other than myself or dh has to look for stuff they've got a fighting chance. Hve packed baby's things in changing bag and my stuff into one of those overnight suitcase things you can get away with as hand luggage on flights. HTH

Not speaking from childbirth experience but from previous hospital stays.

A soft Flannel
flip flops for shower
hair bands
moisturizer as the water can leave skin dry
Body Spray which will make you feel fresher if you can't get out of bed.

and of course nighties etc I just posted the stuff I normally forget to take and have to pester DP to bring me.

you don't need to buy a special bag!! Here's a list of what you need here

I was also advised to take a sponge and a cleaning spray (wish I had now - the showers were FILTHY!!).

I bought pack of 5 pairs of really big black knickers that could be thrown away after use. Lots of sanny pads - big ones too.

Lucazade sweets - for a bit of an energy boost.

Game boy or something to keep your mind occupied as labour can be long and VERY boring!

Birthing ball to help in between contractions.

Diary to write down all my thoughts and experiences!

Definately socks.

Deffo lip balm.

Hairbrush for the photos!

Good luck!

you had the time and nergy to write a diary?!!

Yes, in the first 6 hours of labour!

Just my reminders for me for next time xx

Take plenty of nappies, this time I'll just take a whole packet. I didn't and ended up having to 'borrow' off the lady in the next bed .

Take food in with you, I was making sandwiches during my early labour and then forgot about them when I was starving hungry after giving birth and we were forgotten about for breakfast.

The NCT do string nickers - very comfy, especially with a C- section scar, the elastic comes up high enough to miss it.

I also took in a soft summer dress to change into so that I felt a bit more human rather than being in jama's the whole time.

Happy and safe delivery and look forward to reading your birth story.

H x

Here's a list I picked up a while back from another forum. Hope it's useful.

HOSPITAL BAGS
BABY
3-4 x babygrows (all in one sleepsuits)
3-4 x vests
2 cardigans
2 pairs scratch mitts
baby wash/shampoo
baby moisturiser
1 x blanket (hospital ones often stained/have holes)
2 x wraps
3 x muslins (put one under babys face in cot so doesnt touch hospital sheet)
Nappies (approximately 10)
Nappy bags
Wipes
Cotton wool (apparently we needs tons of this stuff!)
Petroleum jelly
Coming home suit/coat
Car seat
Shawl
Hat
Mittens/scratch mits
Socks
Baby formula and bottles (if not breastfeeding and hospital does not provide)

MUM
2 x cheap nightshirts for labour (be prepared to throw away afterwards!)
PJs for after birth (better to be buttoned in case of breast feeding
Slippers
Dressing gown (remember hospitals can get hot so not thick one!)
BIG comfy knickers (disposable ones preferable)
Socks
Dextrose tablets for energy
Snacks for during labour as blood sugars can drop
Tinned peaches (NCT recommended)
Water spray bottle / cooling spray for during labour to keep cool
Books, magazines
Antiseptic wipes (to wipe down everything and anything in hospital!)
Sanitary towels
Lip balm
Nursing bra x 2
Breast pads
Nipple shield (just in case painful)
Nipple cream
Travel mirror
Straws
Tissues
Phone number contact list
New arrival cards
Birth plan
Money for phone/car park
Ante-natal notes
Support pillow
Notepad/pen
Camera, film, batteries
Video camera
Paracetamol/ibuprofen
TENS machine
Flannel
Cartons of drink
Massage oils, balls
Relaxation music
Facial wipes
Toiletries
Make-up
Hair brush
perfume
Bobbles (to keep hair out of face in labour)
Bath & hand towels
Coming home clothes

I really needed:
drinks! it was very hot in hospital, had to get dh to bring me orange juice and soda in huge bottles.
book to read sounds daft I know but you may well have a bit of time to kill, sorry, relax!
baby birth announcement cards are a fab idea, get em written and addressed from your hospital bed and it?s one job you don?t have to think about at home
(sounds daft i know but with ds1 I was there for 2 days and there isn?t any ironing to do in hosp, you know.)

jesus tabs, what a list! I thought I overpacked first time around!!

Yes - can't imagine perfume or tinned peaches being top of my priority list when the time comes!!

Just packed my birth bag -

T-shirt for labour
Large bath towel
Hand towel
Hair clip
Slippers
Soaks
Slippers
Dressing Gown
Nightdress for after the birth
Disposable stretch underwear + pads
bf bra
Mositurizing cream
Make-up remover wipes
shower gel
toothbrush & paste
baby's first outfit and nappy

dh will pack a supplies bag for himself & the camera. I can take music & aromatherpy but never needed or wanted anything last time like this.

Tomorrow I'm packing my stay in hospital bag with more nightclothes & baby outfits - plus lots of treats.

I hate disposable knickers! They are awful - scratchy, the elastic digs into you when you're sleeping and they crinkle when you walk! I will be buying a few packs of Tesco value knickers (2 for 80p so more or less the same price).

Definitely take some carbs even if they are for after the birth. Some idiot told me to take chocolate for energy, it's a little too warm on the delivery suite... Glucose tablets are better.

More sanitary towels than you would believe!

Oh, and a comfy pillow (our hospital gives you disposable ones...) I recommend Argos v-shaped pillow (good for pregnancy and feeding baby) only £6.99 - more like £20+ when you see them in mothercare etc.

i can only reiterate the food thing..last monday (i am 27w 5d ..btw) i was on the labour ward, admitted at 3am, and discharged at 7pm.
they didn't offer me any food, and when i asked the nurse she said to get a visitor to go to the cafe for me , as dp was at work and noone else lives nearby i ended up getting the mum of the lady in the bed next to me to go to the cafe and get me some sandwiches
if this is how they deal with things, i'll be taking whole picnic hamper in when i give birth!

Disposable pants
Fanny pads
Flip flops for manky hospital floors
Something nice to drink
Nightie
Chocolate
Nappies
Book/magazine/newspaper
Cool outfit for baby
Fully charged mobile
Get someone to bring in food - hospital meals prepared in another country and re-heated - worse than school meals
Dressing gown
Moisturiser
Shampoo

Wish I'd packed a bag. These would have been great. Unless you live miles from anywhere you probably don't need to pack for a two week holiday.

Great tips ladies I'm a copy and pasting every day...

Rachey, ROFL at your crinkly disposable knickers!!!! Will definitely follow suit and get myself some value packs.

packets of prunes, dried apricots etc to get you going after the event!

definitely sanitary towels, at least 2 packs if not 3!

I also had one bag for labour room and then another for the ward afterwards.

Tabs - that is one fab list!!

yes to taking something to eat.......same for me as everyone else it seems, no food, no one about and being so hungry!!!!!!!!
make sure your knickers and going home clothes are big enough too, -first time mummies please note!!. wont go into details about how I learnt that!