Do I really need a towel in my hospital bag?

[MediumOrchid]

I've packed my hospital bag, and found some lists on the internet useful for prompts for what to pack. However, several of them list a towel. Do I really need to bring my own towel? Won't the hospital provide one?

They do have towels but usually tiny thin little white ones. Best bring your own.

Not at the hospital i went took, i took my own.

And besides when you have a shower or a bath a nice big fluffy towel from home will be much nicer than any hospital one.

That depends on your hospital... personally I'd want my own towel knowing I've washed it in good power and conditioner so its nice and soft. I'd hate to wipe my sore woo-woo with a crusty towel :(

I liked having a nice large red towel :)

Ours didn't provide them - it's not a hotel!!

My MW said not to bring towels as the hospital will provide as many as I need and space is limited (I worry they'll be like Ryanair and measure my bag on the way in the way they're talking!!) But I'm with some of the others and think I want something soft for down there!! So I'm rebelling and putting at least one small one in.

I have used them with both DC's. Th hospital towels were tiny and bright white, didn't want to stain them.

and I have washed them then kept them and look at them nostalgically from time to time

Nope. Always provided - and likely to get covered in blood, so I'd rather have one that they take away than one I have to keep (wet) in a bag till someone can take it home.
If you're worried they won't be provided at all, ask your midwife.

I took my own as was planning a water birth. I didn't end up having a water birth but did use mine for showers and baths. The hospital ones are awful and in short supply!

I bought a v cheap tesco/sainsbugs towel in dark brown, was nice to have one that totally covered me and that you wouldn't see any marks on didn't take one for the baby though.

As above. Make sure it is a dark coloured towel, too.

Our hospital do provide them, I just like having my own things. I take my own nice big comfortable pillow as well :o

Uses for a big fluffy towel-
sit on when in taxi
lay baby on
roll up and use as back or arm support when breastfeeding or co sleeping
put round shoulders to cover up if can't get out of bed to put on dressing gown
make bed softer especially if you have had stitches
mop up baby sick or random bodily fluids
oh, and use after shower or bath.

Def take one. Bigger and softer the better.

Our hospital didn't provide any, I took some nice soft black ones.

Only tiny thin crunchy white ones were provided at my hospital.

I took a huge navy one that concealed a multitude of sins.

Not to be crude but since having dc my "monthly" has changed and I find it now quite useful.

And if I didn't use myself I could always use it for the dog/swimming/in the garden...........it is so not wasted

Never stayed in hospital before so not sure how like a hotel it is!

I can see the advantages of taking a nice (and dark!) one, but my bag's really full as it is! I'm not really fussy about towels though, and I don't really want to have to take a wet one away. But what if they don't provide them? Would this be a stupid thing to ask my midwife about tomorrow?

I never opened my hospital bag apart from to take out DDs clothes and my makeup

ask your midwife :)

my hospital provided towels, most do, but i took my own as i am allergic and so wanted to use ones that have been washed in washing powder i am not allergic to.

or just put some in the boot fo your car and then if you do need them your dp/dh can nip and get them for you and then take them home again if storage is an issue, which it often is as their isnt much space on the post natal ward. thats if you stay in tho, you may get discharged straight from the delivery floor but you would maybe still need them as you will want a shower after delivering :)

As a nurse i can tell you that even if your hospital does have a supply of towels they do at times run out and have to request more to be delivered to the ward. It's best to bring your own what ever their policy so you don't get caught out!

It would not be at all stupid to ask your midwife, she/he is going to be in the best position to know.

I took my own.
The first bath I took (immediately after dd was born) I used the one they gave me as it ended up pretty manky.
Then I used my own -much nicer!

For the post-birth blood bath (shower actually) I used one of theirs.
For the 3 days stay afterwards, I had one of my own. One less thing to ask for and it meant that I could grab a shower when it suited me.

Take your own but an old one.
I bled loads post delivery and the hospital ones were tiny and hard.
Food was shite too?

Not sure why you need one to cover you - surely you have shower/get dressed in the same room? I was in for several days and never saw anyone in a towel. Still wondering where you dry the towel.