It's dc2. I'm really not going to need a hairdryer in my hospital bag, am I?

[dizzy77]

I'm finally putting the hospital bag together at 35wks (I've been at risk if pre-term delivery since 21wks so this is quite belated) using the great checklist here. Part of me still wants to pack my travel hairdryer. Talk me out of this, please.

I didn't even consider blow drying my hair post birth. I was too knackered.

Yep, same as Horace. Hate that wet hair feeling. Frankly with just one baby in a crib, drying your hair may well be easier than at home

I took mine with me and it was soooooo nice to have a shower and dry my hair afterwards - made me feel so much more human!

My hospital had a hairdryer as you're not allowed to plug anything into their mains that hasn't been PAT tested.

I am starting to pack hospital bag for birth of DC2 as well and am now adding travel hair dryer to the list!
Though I think what I did last time was put stuff like this in the post labour bag which I left in the car. DH could then bring in items as needed but I knew anything extra I wanted didn't require a trip home.

Good compromise: post-labour bag. To include (amongst other stuff) the hairdryer, make up, present for DS and going home clothes. So that would mean I could also include my straighteners?

Actually, making sure I have a decent shower and blow dry when I notice I'm in labour might distract me sufficiently. I used to wash/dry/straighten every day but since DS was born do so (and care) MUCH less.

Dizzy that made me smile I remember when contractions started with DD I had a shower and washed/ dried hair.. Didnt ever finish my make up though!
Now DD has a toddler fear of my hair dryer so frankly doing it in hospital will be a doddle compared to my current daily palaver!
My post labour bag may well end up including the kitchen sink!

Our hospital had one you could borrow, I don't think they liked you bringing your own. Worth checking?

I remember it took 4 weeks to pick up a hairdryer again last time. I grew my hair while pg (usually have a chin length bob) thinking it would be easier as I could just tie it back but felt such a mess I'm keeping my style this time.

DS loves the hairdryer: he's had loads of hair since he was tiny and I end up chasing him around with it while he giggles. I suppose if DC2 is grizzly it can double as a white noise generator!

I brought one. I hate not having clean hair.

Aren't you likely to be on a shared post natal ward? Even if you are allowed non-tested electricals, would you really plug in a hairdryer in a room full of women and babies? And if you are going straight home, does your hair for a few hours matter?

My hospital has mostly private rooms on post natal ward but have to say a hairdryer isn't something i would have considered packing Tbh but can see why you would!

Fwiw my mum said they are great for drying downstairs ahem if you have to have stitches as they tell you not to wipe too hard apparently

There are private rooms on the PN ward you can pay for to use if they are free and I'm going to ask for one of those again. If all goes well we'll be in the MLU which again has private space.

My experience of the PN ward outside the private room last time leads me to believe my little travel hairdryer will be the very least noisy thing there.

im taking dry shampoo with me, im determined not to be kept in for an age and I never cba to dry my hair anyway

I will be using dry shampoo also

I wish I'd've taken my hairdryer with me when I had dc3 3yrs ago. I was having contractions 3 mins apart and decided washing my hair at 5am would be a fab distraction - it was! But then I was examined and declared 7cms and whisked away to labour and delivery (despite labouring all night on my own with no checks at all!).

I had wet hair throughout the remaining 2 hours of my labour and it felt horrid!! Clammy and sweaty and just horrid!!

I felt awkward using one on the ward as I didn't want to disturb anyone, so I just washed my hair and tied it back. Did mean I look like a yeti on the hospital photos though!

When I had dc1 I packed straighteners... I'd learnt by the time I had dc2!

I'm sure - positive, in fact - that I took a hairdryer with me when I gave birth to DD. I wash my hair every day.

When my sister gave birth in Spain, manicurists and hairdressers were the first people to visit her on the post-natal ward!

Bonsoir now THAT would best the Bounty Lady: "please may I have all your personal details so I can post you crap for ever more in exchange for a blow dry and a mani/pedi?" Hey, cash strapped NHS, great idea here...

I took my hairdryer and straighteners both times. Nobody was catching me out looking god-awful in the photos!

When my contractions started first thing in the morning I waddled off to the bathroom on the ward to brush my teeth and do my make up. My waters broke on the way...I felt horrible!

Was never so glad to have a shower and get some foundation on afterwards