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

Hospital Bags for Dummies ...

96 replies

TheBreadstick · 30/01/2012 18:29

OK, so what's the definitive list of stuff you wouldn't live without in your hospital bag? Equally, what's a waste of time packing?!

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Hello, this thread is a little old; for up-to-date recommendations, take a look at our guide to what to pack in your hospital bag.

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
PetuniaFlipflop · 01/02/2012 16:28

thegirlwiththehairylegs, does it have to be a wheeled case? I'm also facing a long stay and will be doing what I did last time in taking a huge 140ltr capacity sports holdall, you can fit so much in one and they usually have lots of little outer pockets so you can separate everything and keep it organised.

I also then packed 4 bags containing enough supplies for one day in each and left them at home in the cupboard by the front door, the idea being that my DH could take a day's worth of washing from me at the hospital and bring in a replacement 'kit' with him. Keeps your little area of the hospital clear of clutter and saves you trying to explain to DH what you need from home and where it is.

Angel786 · 01/02/2012 18:34

our hospital recommended bringing your own pillow - total waste of time!

scriptbunny · 01/02/2012 19:01

My top tip is one of those water bottles with the "sports" tops that you can suck on. Essentially, once you've had the baby and you're in the maternity ward you'll find that a) the heating and b) breast-feeding leaves you parched. You won't have a spare hand to pour water into the little poly cups they'll leave you so what you need is a bottle that holds a good amount - say 750ml - and a top that you can close with one hand, or you teeth (ie not a screw top) so that you can leave it lying in your bed if needs be and get it at all times.

Also, I really liked having snacks on hand for the long postnatal ward nights - jelly babies, flapjacks - some fast energy release, some slower.

heliumballoon · 01/02/2012 19:28

I came out of hospital yesterday. Was in for four nights.

Y y to sports bottle of water. Hospitals are boiling and you need to drink lots.

My DD went through 10 nappies in less than 2 days. We needed more. Also I was told to change my maternity pad every 3-4 hrs and at first was using 2 at a time for cushioning- you do the maths. Needed 3 or 4 packets.

Used cotton wool and water not wipes.

Most useful thing was a huge beach towel. Beach towel used to sit on in taxi (both ways!) and in bed it was a great pillow to get baby into position for bf. DH also brought bf pillow on first visit- v useful.

As for make up, silk nighties, smellies- so far from my planet right now!!

heliumballoon · 01/02/2012 19:40

Also yy to huge knickers- I took size 20 massive tummy covering pants (£7 a pack from M&S) and they were great (normally I am size 12-14).

If your nighties have long sleeves cut them off.

Fig rolls are a way of eating dried fruit.

heliumballoon · 01/02/2012 19:45

Even if baby will wear babygros with feet and scratch mitts incorporated, take mitts and socks in case of cannulas in the foot or hands.

heliumballoon · 01/02/2012 19:53

Don't assume you'll be going home in the clothes you came in. You may have been a loony lady in labour who ran to the taxi in her bra on top only! Pack a spare set.

BoffinMum · 01/02/2012 20:47

Think of it as like a long hail flight and take ear plugs and an eye mask, as well as a pashmina or something. It makes a lot of difference.

BoffinMum · 01/02/2012 20:47

haul

Flisspaps · 01/02/2012 20:57

Pack one bag for labour. Put your wash bag, a pair of pants with a pad in, clean nightie/pyjamas and one nappy and outfit for baby in this, as well as anything you want for labour (including straws - one hand can hold the G&A, the other hand can hold on to DP/MW/bed/sofa, lipsalve and dextrose sweets)

Have another bag for afterwards and have the rest of your clothes and baby's gear in that, so you're not tripping over bags in the delivery room, and your DH isn't rummaging through 500 pairs of primark black pants to find a hair bobble when you're 8cm dilated and threatening to murder him if he doesn't find you one pronto.

Mum2Phoebelicious · 01/02/2012 21:05

I needed plenty of changes of pjs / nightie for me as I was very pukey during labour and those kidney dishes they kept handing me did nothing but create splashback (apologies tmi). Went through 2 nighties & i'd taken a pair of pjs with 2 tops. I ended up with only the 1 pj top that I'd just had my emcs in to receive my visitors in after! Thank goodness I couldn't get up and pee after eidural, the only point I was glad of the catheter.
I was also grateful I'd taken a separate changing bag for dds gear as much lighter to lift & less to rumage through when trying to change a meconium nappy at 3am on a dark ward with a canula in the back of both hands and a very sore tummy.
Lansinoh,as recommended by my keen bfing friend when i complained of sore nipples after first night - fixed them and stopped it happening again

sobenobu · 01/02/2012 21:15

Disposable Primark slippers - once they've been around the floors of the hospital you won't want to take them home.

DC had reflux, so went through about 20 sleepsuits and muslins:(

sobenobu · 01/02/2012 21:17

My bedding was changed twice in five days and I needed more pillows so I would take dry-nites bed mats and a couple of cheap pillows next time.

Indaba · 01/02/2012 21:49

no advice but i am so glad so many other idiots first time mums like me took pj bottoms or shorts....what were we thinking?!

AnonyMaw · 01/02/2012 22:22

Instead of big knickers and maternity pads, may I recommend these Boots also do an unbranded version. They are bomb proof. Not a jot got past them! They're only really necessary for the first couple of days, and were invaluable during labour, as with both my births I found that once waters broke, there was a steady trickle of fluid for the next several hours (sorry TMI!). I had a home birth, and had worried about mess, but wearing these I could stay mobile, without worrying about gloop on the floor.

Also for labour, take a water bottle with a sports cap, you may want to drink water while at an awkward angle. Particularly if you use entonox, it's very drying.

lmlodge · 01/02/2012 22:39

Pack a disposable camera - you'll end up forgetting the posh one! Hubbie and daughter both forgot theirs but it didn't matter as I packed a good old disposable!
Also a notepad and pen - Baby brain kicks in pretty quick and you want to make a note of who bought what so you can say thank you. Also, any tips that you hear while you're in hospital can be written down.

SpanishLass · 01/02/2012 23:18

there are also things that were an utter waste of space for me, namely:

-massage oil (my midwife suggested massage to relax me during labour but we did not have the time or the inclination to use it)

-breast pads- not really needed until milk comes in, 2-3 days after labour- but breast shells were a godsend for my nipples, my baby had very determined sucking!

-a book to read- too busy between visitors and the normal going to and fro in the ward of midwifes, doctors, students and domestic staff.

also, glucose tablets were quite nice for keeping energy levels during labour up when you can't eat.

Justtrying · 02/02/2012 07:03

Most useful, vasaline for lips, as previously mentioned gas and air coupled with tropical temperatures in labour ward is very drying. Primark big knickers 2 sizes up, buy lots they are as cheap as chips, I ended up in these for a couple of weeks whilst using maternity pads.
Front opening nighties, I had to send dh out for more as couldn't wear pjs due to catheter. Slippers, phone and charger. If u can run to it a smart phone or iPad will save using expensive hospital internet if you stay any length of time, those hours after early morning feeds drag until visitors arrive, baby will sleep but you might struggle with all the noise and people checking up on you etc.

Things for baby, at least four baby grows and vests, small pack of nappies, nappy sacks, disposable bottles of formula if hospital don't provide it, just in case breast feeding doesn't work. Baby wipes, cotton wool just doesn't clean up newborn poo. I was glad of the extra pack in the bounty bag.

I didn't need towels and didn't eat the snacks I took or read the book, didn't have the concentration, a few magazines would be better. Took the little plastic water jug from my iron for rinising in the shower and nice shampoo and shower gel minatures really made me feel human. Don't forget toothbrush and toothpaste, you'll feel much better once you've cleaned your teeth.

If you stay in after dp goes home make sure he leaves you with water, tissues, wash bag, phone and baby changing bag within arms reach, I was bed bound for half a day and whilst staff were great you don't necessarily want to buzz them everytime you want a drink.
Have going home outfit in for both of you in car so dp can bring it and car seat when your ready. A spare pair of hands to carry everything you accumulate to car, or get dp to do several trips, I could only manage to carry a light bag and shuffle, what seemed like miles to car. A pillow to sit on, on way home would have been great.

BoffinMum · 02/02/2012 08:19

I used a pack of incontinence pants after baby number 4 and they were a revelation. Very comfy and absorbent, no leaking at all.

BoffinMum · 02/02/2012 08:20

Instead of sanitary pads, I meant!

chocolatemarzipan · 02/02/2012 16:52

I recommend earplugs as the number 1 item. Helps you get a bit of sleep because you can still hear your baby but it muffles other people's.

Also chocolate hobnobs for when in labour. Fast release and slow release energy in one biscuit....

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