Packing my hospital bag today...any major must haves? Suggestions please.

[mandoo]

After lots of pains and braxton hicks yesterday I got the fear that I would have to ask DP to pack my hospital bag. The thought runs chills though me to be honest!

The bag is being packed today by yours truly....phew!

Can I suggest APRICOTS. Start eating them (if you can) ASAP after birth and it will make your poo really nice and soft, so you won't have to strain. My Dsis told me to do it with my DD, and I am still thankful for that piece of advice.

Also you can get those small travel shampoos and conditioners from somewhere like asda or boots - makes life easier, and ear plugs if you're in a ward.

Nursing bras? Energy drinks. We have been told to take a few of our own pillows with us as they have a shortage of pillows in our hospital at the moment..

Hope that helps!

Oh god, I'm 14+5 with my second and rly want to start packing my hospital bag!! Lol, with my first it was packed at 25 weeks I think. Even tho...I did something probably a lot of people do and unpack and pack it again just for the sake of it! My partner winges when I say I want to pack my bag! I'm not due till 25th april! I can't wait!:D can't do much harm packing the babies bag can it? :P

I'll second apricots. They did the trick for me!

Disposable maternity knickers! www.globalmaternity.com/1e/Disposable+Maternity+Briefs%2C+7+pk/0_CAAA011/PRAA105

Sports cap bottles of lucozade - can be glugged at any angle and give you energy too!

YY to big cheapy knickers not the vile paper ones.

Take arnica tablets with your first drink post-birth and keep going with them and painkillers and you will then be able to sit comfortably from the start!

Music? Our hospital has CD players available so worth getting your DH/DP to compile some tunes?

Good luck and wishing you a smooth labour :)

A watch. Having been told not to take valuable items to hospital I left my normal watch (gift on wedding day) at home. In the early hours following the birth we were moved to a private room that didn't have a clock, DH left for some sleep, it was only around 7 hours but drove me up the wall. I understand why it's a form a torture. I'll have a plastic one with alarm for baby no.2.

all i wanted was a ribena after being sick 8 times and being very dehydrated. so i would say ribena x10 and big pants, good luck x