Labour bag

[nunnie]

I ahve seen a few suggest these, and have a hospital bag in the car for staying, rather than lugging two bags upstairs.

What is classed as essential for labour? Think this is a really good idea but DD's labour was so quick and 3 years ago, I can't actually remember what I used apart from a nightie .

Snacks
Drinks
Flannel/fan/water spray
Camera
Maternity pads
Clean clothes
Shower toiletries
Baby's first clothes
Maternity notes

I'd suggest all the above, but the two things I found completely essential were a couple of big bottles of water and FLIP FLOPS!!!! If you are having a baby in a busy maternity ward, be warned, if you want a shower afterwards, they can be pretty grim!

Good luck!!!!!!!!!

I wrote my hospital bag list this weekend and it was 2 sides of A4! Maybe I should pack a little lighter!

A towel - pack a bigger one in the hospital bag.

I'm packing one bag for in case I have to go to hospital (planning a home birth) with the minimum for labour and the first 24 hours. If I have to go in and stay, DH will have to bring more in.

I'm taking everything on dancings list and the following too...

1. flip flops (def good idea as suggested above!)
2. CD - of all my fave songs
3. towel
4. dressing gown
5. Slippers
6. PJ's - much more dignifying than a nightie post birth I find....and easier if you plan on BF
7. hairbands

I will pack one bag for 24hrs of stay, and leave another in the boot of the car in case we have to stay longer. I don't trust DH to be able to find/remember everything Id need otherwise :)

Thank you for all the helpful advice.

There are ensuite bathrooms in the delivery rooms with baths, so was hoping to have one after the birth, before the grim ward showers, didn't go to plan last time though, so hoping it will this time round.

I have dodgy nighty for birth, so will take my pj's out of the hospital bag and put them in the labour bag. Have short hair so won't need hairbands (not that they take up a great deal of room anyway).