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Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Original poster

I have started to pack my bag...

132 replies

ALovelyBunchOfCoconuts · 05/08/2011 10:45

Can someone tell me if I have forgotten anything?

I know there have been so many threads about this but just need someone to tell me to stop panicking!

So far I have:

Towel/flannel
Pants
Maternity pads (3 x 10pack)
Nighties x 2 for labour and one after
Jogging bottoms and vest tops to act as pjs for the ward
Toiletries - shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, toothpaste, face wipes, hairbrush, bobbles and clips (toothbrush will go in at end)
Carrier bag for dirties
Slippers
Socks
Phone charger.

Have I missed anything essential? I haven't started babys bag yet as I haven't washed any of the clothes yet, doing that this weekend. So far that has pretty much filled a small pull along case, like an air hostess has. Is that ridiculous? I'm going to have to have an extra holdall for baby things. I feel a prat going with 2 bags.

OP posts:
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ABamo · 05/08/2011 21:08

All the posts on this are great, I keep thinking about "the bag". I'm just going to take a mahoosive suitcase and chuck everything I can possibly fit into it - including all the bits and bobs mentioned by all of the other members - I did laugh at the suggestion that you could literally give birth in the clothes you go into hospital in - but god it's true isn't it?!! This is my first - and it'll be November so I'm gonna cram as many layers as possible in for me and baba. And yes, I will pack make-up. :o

MummyAbroad · 05/08/2011 21:11

Hello coconuts Grin

Did someone mention the TENS machine?
also.. .

maternity notes,
money,
a dark coloured towel,
small pen and paper so you can right feeding times/which boob etc,
sling? I know you dont drive, how are you getting baby home?
something help reduce wind/constipation i.e. lactaluse, peppermint capsules or water, windeze

and I would buy a new toothbrush and pack it, thats one less thing to worry about with the last minute packing. Also leave a list on top of the bag with things to add last minute (keys, money, maternity notes)

I am going to pack an "extra time" bag with more clothes, sanitary towels, underwear, wipes etc so if I need to send someone home for it, it will be easy enough for them.

oooh cant believe you are at this stage now. I am getting exited for you already Smile xx

catgirl1976 · 05/08/2011 21:12

Its my first too so I fully appreciate the make up might be optmistic, but I am going to try :)

Will definatly be packing my own bag. I was once rushed into hospital so had nothing but what I was wearing. I was in agony and had got thrush from being left with a fever in my jeans all night and was too weak to undress. Asked my DH to brin me some clothes and underwear.

He bought the smallest, tightest, magic knickers that I hadn't even tried on on a really thin day as they looked so uncomfortable, a short skirt, a long jumper a no shoes.

PickleSarnie · 05/08/2011 21:14

Agree with leroymerlin. Big pants. Huuuuuge ones. If nothing else, when you get asked about a 1,000 times by various nurses and doctors after you've just given birth, what you are going to use as contraception (as if the thought of popping another small child out your bits isn't enough) you can tell them - "very big pants".

AnotherMuesliPleaseBarman · 05/08/2011 21:18

ditto high waisted pants if any chance of CS

ditto multi-packs of fruit juice with straws or similar - little Ribena cartons got me through it

oh yes, and more generally, never underestimate just how incredibly HOT maternity wards are - 24 hrs a day!

Original poster
ALovelyBunchOfCoconuts · 05/08/2011 21:19

Some great suggestions here, thanks all :)

  • The pants I have bought are a few sizes bigger
  • The leggings to come home in are high waisted and come up to my bra so no worries of digging in
  • The tops i plan to take are maternity ones
  • The top I plan to come home in is a smock type and loose.
  • Socks are in there :)
  • Bras I'd forgotten! Thanks for that! Although I have really small boobs so not much chance of them falling out! I wore a bra during labour last time and hated it.
  • Am plannig to take sprts cap bottle to drink from so no need for straws.
  • I LOVE that before I'd said otherwise you all though this was my first time Grin
  • I do remember taking four packs of maternity pads last time and only using two so that's why I'd decided on three but I'll stick some more in just in case. Best to have too many...
  • Thankfully DH is brill at looking through my cupboards and knowing what I mean :)

I think I have covered all points!

Thank you all :)

Now onto baby's bag.... Any tips gratefully received :)

OP posts:
MrsBloomingTroll · 05/08/2011 21:22

Oh my goodness, my going-home outfit was a disaster because DH brought it to hospital based on my description....a satiny top on a hot hot day was a disaster! And he "couldn't find" the carefully-chosen baby clothes. So DD's first baby clothes were "all he could find" I.e. His favourite football team. Hmm

I will be taking him through the bags in detail this time and everything is labelled.

OP can you pack separate bags within your bag, clearly labelled, for each stage? Mine are 1) labour bag including baby's first outfit 2) stuff for DH during labour 3) hospital stay and 4) going home. You might need multiple sets of things.

I took waaay too much stuff first time around - found my packing list recently and had a chuckle.

BlingLoving · 05/08/2011 21:29

I haven't read whole thread so apologies if I am repeating: nipple cream! Also, freeze fruit juice (cubes or a fruit drink box) - brilliant for afterwards all slushy and cold.

Original poster
ALovelyBunchOfCoconuts · 05/08/2011 21:37

Oh and I also have a little list on top of the case for last minute things.

And...

i've made discussion of the day! Now I know I've made it! Grin

OP posts:
NoseyNooNoo · 05/08/2011 21:38

Here is a good list here:

Hospital Bag

It's a really good idea to go through it with DH first... and have the baby clothes on the top of the bag, ready to go when the baby is born.

madwomanintheattic · 05/08/2011 21:43

golly. you're all very organised...

i never bothered to pack a bag in advance and i've had three births. Grin i just threw a massive t-shirt, pair of joggers, and multipack of enormous pants and some maternity pads in on the way out of the door... dh just used to bring in whatever else i needed as i demanded it... Blush

we did take a bag of teeny nappies, and some onesies and a babygrow with the baby car seat when we went on holiday for my due date though. just in case!

i did have a cs with dd1 - spent a week in the hosp and none of the staff spoke english, so dh was toing and froing.

ds1 was vbac but i spent 5 days in then as well as i was a bit banged up... again plenty of time for dh to get anything i needed.

dd2 was vbac2 but was so poorly she was there for 5 weeks. and i was there for 2 weeks until i discharged myself. i think i must just go for long stay arrangements where dh picks up my slack packing! Grin

enjoy!

diddygirl · 05/08/2011 21:45

And if anyone already has a DC who will be visiting you in hospital after the birth, you might want to take 'a present from the baby'.

blondieminx · 05/08/2011 21:52

sports cap bottles of lucozade - great for energy and can be drunk at any angle! Grin

claireindevon · 05/08/2011 21:57

Glucose sweets can be useful for an energy boost. Lip balm is really handy, but don't use a tinted one like I did, I used loads of it and ended up with bright red lips, the nurses thought it was a medical condition!

sarahtigh · 05/08/2011 22:00

remember if labour long you will get fed but DP won't so he needs snacks and drinks too or at least locate slot machine for crisps and have change

ElliottsMummy · 05/08/2011 22:06

Congrats on making discussion of the day Coconuts!! But you really need to stop it as I'm in denial about the whole thing and think you should be too as you are due after me!! :) hope you are feeling ok in this heat x

del1 · 05/08/2011 22:13

In addition to everything else listed :-

Waterproof mascara - just incase you look like KISS on your first pictures, after all the sweating / tears of happiness!

Cheep toothbrush and mini/travel mouth wash - incase I don't forget mine

Snacks/ drinks for your DH to share aswell - hard work for them too Wink

Just to agree with others also - take a few pairs of going home bottoms.

My waters broke all over my jeans ( plan was to wear these home)
Then I leaked blood all over my spare jogging bottoms, due to soaking through copious amounts of sanitary towels.

I was sent home after 4 hours, So I had to choose between blood or water soaked bottoms, to go home in! Blush

DrCoconut · 05/08/2011 22:25

Re weeing. After DS2 I had to wee into a container when I did my first one after the birth. They wanted to measure my urine output so I was told not to use water as it would affect the volume of liquid present, just fully empty my bladder into the pot! Maybe it was because I'd had a difficult birth and a catheter as it didn't happen with DS1 who was a normal delivery. I didn't get stinging though despite having stitches.
On a different issue I found that biting my towel offered a strange form of relief / distraction during contractions Shock

sophe29 · 05/08/2011 23:02

Ear Plugs.
Dressing gown.

Personally while I am all for hospital births, once you have your baby, go home asap. If you and baby are fine, why not? I had DS at 4.25pm and was home by 9pm for some of my mums left over lasagne. He was No 2 though.
(This is not officially recommended - baby "should" have its baby check after 6 hours but I just got my GP to do it the next day)
If you do stay in, did I mention ear plugs? Hospitals are so bloody noisy!

AitchTwoOh · 05/08/2011 23:36

haven't read thread but hope someonementioned flip flops for the shower. they may look clean but you nevertheless know that the women in tehre previously just bled out all over them...

schroeder · 05/08/2011 23:53

Ah dr coconut, a towel has many uses- most of them listed in Hitchhikers Guide to the galaxy Wink

MummyAbroad · 06/08/2011 00:51
kipperandtiger · 06/08/2011 03:44

Make sure your clothes (incl nightie) are quite easy to get in and out of, as some hospital bathrooms and loos are very tiny. Also, for fun, can you get out of your nightie with one hand? Lots of things you'll be doing with one hand or one arm (like eating or using computer!) after baby is born, as baby will want to be held a lot. I think disinfectant wipes (from someone's post) could be a bit much as you don't really want disinfectant in contact with baby's skin. It's healthier and cleaner to wash your hands, and there is always a sink and taps even in a big ward. (maybe bring your own hand towel in case they run out of paper towels although again that it v unlikely). It maybe very hot on the ward if you are due this month. Make sure your clothes keep you cool. Never found one needed a cardie in post natal wards, they keep them warm because of newborns. But labour ward may be cool, although you'll probably not need a cardie when in labour...!! PS. Worth bringing a vest top than unfastens in front for breastfeeding .......as that is what you'll be doing a lot after baby is born. And nursing bra. (Mothercare, Jojomaman Bebe have them both). Don't be worried about a big bag or two bags. Nobody cares! And a lock for your bag if you are keeping phone and any valuables in the hospital.

wearenotinkansas · 06/08/2011 07:27

good point about locking your bag for valuables. My credit card number got taken while I was on maternity ward. I didn't find out for 3 months until they tried to use it.

DonnaArnold · 06/08/2011 08:52

Not sure if you're planning to breastfeed but if you are then don't forget your feeding bras