hospital bags!

[ithastobeNAICEham]

I'm sorting out my hospital bag in the next few days and I'm wondering what you would recommend for it?? I already have babies things sorted and put away and just need mine now!

So far I have - pads, breast pads, clothes to come home in, a night dress with poppers down the front for feeding, big knickers and my birth plan!

What else is there? Its been 8 yrs since I last did this and now I'm wondering what else there could be to take!!

TIA

Have you included what you are going to wear in the actual labour? I needed spare nighties as my waters gushed out for ages during labour so my clothes were soaked. It meant that I'd already worn the yoga pant type things that I was going to go home in, so had nothing to go home the next day in!

Phone charger? My phone ran out of power and I also had no reading matter (hadn't expected to go into hosp at all, meant to be a home birth) so was a bit bored once husband went home!

Good luck, what an exciting time!

Something to eat! I was hungry after dd1 was born and they didn't feed me for another 19 hours!

food and drinks. I always took some dried fruit to stimulate my first post birth movement.

music
books/magazine
socks
toiletries such as shower gel, toothbrushes and so on.
towel

oh and most importantly your own pillows.

Hadn't even though of half this stuff! Thanks so much! I was planning on giving birth in the nightie, i think I'm being very hopeful that all will go quickly and smoothly!!

The phone charger is a good idea, as is the food! What sort of food would you suggest? I don't like dried fruit so grapes will probably be the best idea...

I shall sort out a wash bag asap!!

Thanks again guys, very helpful!!

Mine was for afterwards,and it was prawn cocktail crisps which I only ever eat after medical activities.

I also took a sleep mask in -was so helpful in getting some sleep without the glare of lights/machines.

Lansinoh if hoping to breastfeed! I second the eye mask as the lights are bright and although main strip lights are off the lights by beds that mums switch on to change nappy etc do disturb me

It only occurred to me today that i might need a nightie or something to wear in labour. I think i was expecting to be naked to whole time. I don't even own a nightie or anything like it - so i'm off to the shop tomo.

Sorry to hijack OP - but any advice on what type of nightie? knee length? vest/t-shirt/buttoned? etc

Apologies OP and everyone - ignore me - just seen a thread further down on this exact subject.

I had 3 bags.

Labour bag for me complete with best and babygro and 1 nappy, knickers, labour t-shirt and clean pants. I had dextrose sweets and grain bars for labour (and straws to drink with), Vaseline for the G&A. Washbag (with paracetamol and ibuprofen) A hand towel was hooked through the handle.

Main bag in case of hospital stay. Loads of Primark pants, maternity pads (no breast pads), comfy clothes, pyjamas (I don't really 'do' nighties), phone charger, more snacks and drinks.

Changing bag (so not rooting through main bag at 3am looking for a nappy)

The main bag and changing bag could stay in the car until I was transferred to the PN ward if I transferred in (I was) or they meant everything was to hand if I'd stayed home. I found it more useful to have separate bags than all lumped in to one. DH took home the labour bag leaving the wash bag with me.

I did miss my own pillow this time, I took one when I had DD and it was much nicer than their plastic coated one.

Dressing gown!!! Slippers.. Most of things to keep you comfy and the baby.

Id do a bag for you then the baby makes it alot easier than going through all one bag!!

You might like to take some hard boiled sweeties - good to keep your energy up and help you get that terrible taste in your mouth.

Your own pillow
A bath towel
Washbag with travel sized toiletries
Toothbrush & toothpaste
Nightie for labor & pj's for ward
Slippers & dressing gown
Disposable knickers or old pants
Plenty of maternity pads (thick ones)
Bottle of water

For baby:
Blanket
Vests and baby grows
Hat
Nappies
Wipes/cotton pads
Nappy sacks
Muslin cloth

Flip flops for the shower. You dont want to put damp slippers on and NHS showers are not always the cleanest.

Tahnk you all so much! I now have my full shopping list ready to go!

I already have the baby's bag ready to go and the nappies and wipes etc for baby are in the front of mine so we know where they are!

So grateful for all your help!!

I took some lucozade sport. I drank 2 bottles after DD was born, almost down in one. I was sooo thirsty!

One of my friends suggested putting in a frozen bottle of cordial so I'll have something cold to drink! Its already in the freezer lol!

MOIST TOILET TISSUE -andrex do this or just take kids kandoos-I can't emphasise enough how helpful this is when going to loo with stitches/piles/other hideous child birth related bum issues!

The only addition I'd make that I don't think has been mentioned yet is Vaseline. The air con and heating combo gave me stupidly dry lips and nose?!

Camera - for those first precious pictures

Foodwise, I had nutrigrain bars - they were a lifesaver, believe me! DH got my tea and toast still bitter 3 years later

If you are alternatively inclined: arnica / rescue remedy / lavender oil - all nice for afterwards.

water face spray thing is nice to keep cool during labor

cordial - makes it easier to drink more water

antibacterial cleaning wipes / hand gel - Hospital shower / toilets not the most clean always.

Just getting mine packed too - good luck ithastobe!

Been getting mine ready in amongst packing the house up as well...

I second the moist toilet tissue or flushable wipes, they're much nicer on post-birth tender bits than hospital provided toilet paper. Also your own pillow is lovely, but make sure it's distinguishable from hospital ones, I had a white pillowcase on mine last time and I ended up leaving without it because I couldn't find the bloody thing, I think someone must have mistaken it for a hospital one.

If you find water unappealing take in or have someone bring in some juice so you make sure you drink enough. I forgot to take something to snack on in last time and when they moved me up to the ward at 3am I was bloody starving and couldn't find anyone to ask for something to eat, either, it was rather busy!

During labour with ds1, I was unbearably hot, I'd recommend taking a cool bag with a couple of ice packs, and about 10 flannels to rotate, to put on your head.

Also, throat sweets, after pushing, because of growling my throat was really sore and the dry hospital air doesn't help either.

Oh, one more thing, a headband, for obvious reasons.

Good luck op