so what do I need for my labour bag and what do you never need but everyone says you do?

[jayjaybaby]

hi please help me do you really need books snacks mp3 players masssage oil candles phone cards small change a small elephant and a magic elf

My labour essentials were

a natural sponge - very refreshing on my face
A bottle of water, with straw in it - as actually drinking was difficult but a straw is easy
Small changing mat - for changing baby in ward afterwards (£2 in mothercare)
baby hat (ds was given a knitted one as some fool decided I was a bad mother as I hadnt bought one myself!!!!!!!!!!)
common sense to tell the midwife to go away when she irritated me

Tons of nightime pads-two at a time. Paper pants are great for the first few days of heavy bleeding. You can just take the whole lot off, pads and all and bin them. Spare nighties and never sit on the back of your dressing gown in bed. I wrecked mine within a few hors of ds1 birth. Snacks and nibbles - especially for after the birth. I had ds2 at 12.30 am and was given a small bowl of rice crispies and an orange juice at 8.00 the next morning.

All the things the others have said - I really liked having my own CD player with me in labour and especially afterwards. I also used a gymball to bounce on (gently and in the early stages) and then lean over whilst in labour. Much more comfortable than the damned bed - it let me move around as I needed. The snacks were a godsend - I hated hospital food. And drinks - although we had a jug of water by our beds, it was hardly ever refilled.
The flash wipes (or similar) were essential - you should have seen the state of the Loos (or maybe not, it would put you off for life, blood everywhere)
The thing I didn't take which I wished I had was a decent shaped bean bag for breast feeding. I ended up with very sore shoulders through my arms not being properly supported whilst I fed DS. A normal pillow (lumpy, hospital issue) just did not do the job.
Oh, and lots of 'chutzpah' - the only people in our postnatal group who had a reasonable time on the postnatal ward were the assertive (bolshy) ones who went and ASKED (demanded politely) for what they needed - and persisted until they got it! (Must be something about being a teacher....)

Snacks - essential. I gave birth at midnight and only toast was available.

Books / MP3 useful for feeding at night. I had 10 lonely night in hospital doing night feeds on my own and got through many books.

Small change - we got through 66 pound coins (£6 a day to park) for 11 days. Might be worth having enough to last a few days.

Maternity towels - you might need more than you think. Got through loads before I'd even birth as my waters broke before my contractions started.

It might be worth taking a pillow as I didn't have one and no one could find a spare one.

Birthing ball - hosp provided me with one, but covered in thick muck so couldn't use it.

Cleaning wipes - everything was filthy esp the toilets and bathrooms.

bump

JJ - do not take nice pink nightie and pretty fluffy dressing gown.take your oldest or buy cheap ones from pound shop and bin later.

the only thing I wanted was my bus fare home

but then I hate being in hospital and came home after 16 hours ( instrumental delivery) and 28 hours ( section)

but I know that some women have to stay in because they or their baby are unwell

personally if I were well enough to be cleaning the shower i woudl rather be home

near my own clean bathroom. with my lovely DH and good food when i need it and privacy and the Tv / radio and no visitors. where I can bleed all over the sheets and not be shouted at.And more and better painkillers. and someone to change and bath the baby for me. bliss

ok rant over

i would argue that the mat towels are better than than normal nightime towels because they are so big and squashy and if you are bruised/torn/stitched then that padding is really helpful.I bought nightime thin towels and had to swap for big squashy ones because i was so sore!

a water spray(like an evian one) for when you get really hot and sweaty pushing.

bump

Have you checked with your midwife to see if your hospital has a leaflet on what you need? That will tell you what they do or don't provide? I took newborn nappies and ne born size babygros in. If you know you are having an early baby - ie plannned c-section, you might need the smallest size nappies and babygro

When I went in to hospital to have DS I assumed I'd be out in 24hrs. Ended up with emergency c/s and 5 days in hospital. Had to send DH to M&S for extra nightwear, undies (another fan of cheapo granny pants rather than paper knickers)breast pads, etc. So it might be worth packing a few extra things for yourself just in case you're kept in. Don't forget nice shower gel and shampoo as you will be very hot and sweaty in hospital. Oh and make sure you have a couple of bras, I needed to wear mine all the time for support. Definitely arnica too. And if you intend to bf, phone number of NCT breastfeeding counsellor/other bf support--don't count on midwives being helpful as sadly this isn't always the case, especially if you had a c/s. I did find mags and books helpful because I couldn't sleep a wink.

3 absolute necessaries for me were:

flannel
energy sweets
lipsil

I did however forget the lipsil and all mum had in her handbag was a bright red lip gloss, I still have to laugh at the photos took immedieately after birth because I look like a knackered clown! The midwife kept wetting herself whenever she looked up at me

small cartons of juice with a staw were all devoured. Was fairly quick labour so didn't really use anything else. I bled heavily so needed spare pjs and good tip about not sitting on back of dressing gown. I found mat pads ok, midwife warned me about 'normal' pad such as 'always' as they have plastic backing on them which can make you sweaty and not help with the stitches healing. My baby was sicky first night so 3 vest and sleepsuits is minimum. I'm due on 3rd June, have found thread useful, have got lots of snacks packed as I did last time and will be adding anti-bac wipes defo.

if giving birth in hot weather as I did last August, you definitely need a mini-fan! this was an absolute life saer for me - stopped the nausea.

A pocket changing mat. My hospital didn't supply a changing mat and I found it easier to do nappy changes on the bed rather that in the cot. Babies have a habit of weeing as soon as you remove their nappy. The staff won't be please if they have to keep changing your bed after every nappy change. Also take arnica tablets with you and take during and after labour. If I could have only taken one thing with me the arnica would be it. I didn't have any discomfort or bruising down there after the first 24 hours or so.

no food till after as too sick/busy to eat!
did want socks though, even in summer as got really cold feet.
none of that silly aromatherapy/homeopathy stuff - far too faffy for serious labour pain IMHO!

Oh, and make sure that your birth partner knows where everything is in you bag so that you don't have to explain where anything is mid-contraction. I gave my DP all my things and got him to pack the bag.

you girls never let me down

I found homeopathic remedy arnica v helpful for healing after C/S, not for pain relief however!

errrr? tell me more please

I bruised really badly after having ds1 and found it very painful going to the toilet even for a wee. I dreaded this the most when I was pregnant with ds2. I bought some arnica tablets and my midwife told me to take them every 4 hours from the start of labour and then every 15 minutes after labour (if you can remember to) gradually reducing to 3 times a day. I found that I healed really quickly and had no problems going to toilet at all. Don't know if it works as well for everyone but its worth a try as its completely safe to take afaik.

It's great after any kind of operation or trauma, especially if you're a bit battered and bruised. Really speeds up the healing process.

I packed everything but the kitchen sink but only used a water bottle (a diver's one with non return valve - excellent for chucking down between contractions as it doesn't spill!!)