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?

Things I was very glad I'd packed that weren't on the list I was given -
Bottled water. I drank loads because the ward was so hot and I didn't want to disturb the staff to bring me more water.
Face flannel. Again because of the heat
Always Winged Pads. The ones provided were very bulky to sit on.
Antiseptic wipes. There were signs in every loo telling us to wipe before and after use but the tubs provided were often empty.
Cheap cotton pants. I wore them once and threw them away.

I just used a holdall and packed it at about 36 weeks. I repacked it a couple of times but didn't change any of the contents.

...don't buy 'maternity towels' they're like old fashioned huge wedge sanitary towels just buy heavy flow or better still night time sanitary towels imo. disposible pants are brill, you can throw them out with the pads.
definately water
also snack bars for hunger pangs in middle of night baby feeding moments
personally i never had a moment to read my magazine was either feeding or attempting to sleep but you never know, its good to be optimistic!
flip flops definately
try to bring a thin dressing gown, ditto pyjamas, its like a hothouse in there! no kidding!!
towel and toiletries obviously
assume they have nothing for a baby! had ds in st marys paddington and when they brought the babybath round they asked for my cotton wool, had not occured to me a hospital would not have such a thing!
...ditto don't take too much! your family/friends can always bring you in things you need, take the minimal amount and should you find yourself having a longer stay just ask one of them to bring you more things as needed!
...don't buy a special bag, it's only going to be a flying visit, you'll have enough thingsa to spend your money on when the baby arrives.
...i pack my bag when my waters broke, well grabbed my wash bag and a nightie, few nappies/wipes/powder, couple baby grows and wrote a list for dp the next morning of anything else i could think of!

...take something to wack your partner over the head with when he starts cheering you in a cheerleader type fashion 'come on baby, you can do it, push push push, 1 2 3, yeah yeah yeah, come on!' wtf!!!! just grabbed him by the collar pulled him close and told him to 'Shut Up!' but a frying pan would do the trick nicely!

Def take food. I was in hospital for 4 days and was starving all the time-the portions are tiny esp. for breastfeeding mothers and thats not counting the meals that are too disgusting to eat.
I lived on food hoarded from the buffet style breakfast and sandwiches from sainsburys brought in by DP.
Most importantly though there is very little in the way of fresh fruit and constipation is the last thing you need with stitches. Take raisins, dried apricots, dried apple rings etc and a packet of something tasty like flapjacks for a lovely sugar rush.
Not that I'm obsessed with my food or anything.....

...sod it just take chocolate, you're in hospital, you've just had a baby and dropped 5kg anyway!

Don't take anything you'd be devastated to lose- there is an increasing amount of theft in hospitals.

...keep your chocolate under lock and key

No security issue with chocolate for me I'm afraid-would be unable to leave in cupboard which explains my inexplicable lack of return to pre pregnancy size/shape

Just remember what I managed to forget - your make up or a nice face cream, clothes as you will not be half as fat when you come home and your hairbrush as when I had my DD1 we came out of hospital and I looked totally rough and we bumped into his friends from work - me looking far from flattering !!!!! Remember things for you - not just baby !! Good Luck - start packing it now if you haven't already !!! XXXX