surely hospital bag needs to be the size of a small car!

[urtwistingmymelonman]

been trying to pack my hospital bag today.
im 35+2.
so far I have packed 3 baby grows.
nappies.
cotton wool.
breast pads.
warm outfit for baby for journey home(due end of nov)
old shirt for labour.
cheapo black knickers.
baby blanket.
sanitary towels.
my bag is almost full!
have still got to pack:-
more pads as have only packed 10(may have to stay for a few days due to bleeding risk)
nighties
toiletries for me
clothes for me to return home in.
so do you think I should take it all in one go and lookm like a tool arriving at the hosp looking like im going on an all inclusive or just take the bare essentials and get oh and family to run errands for me afterwards?

I have ended up with two bags. One for me and one for baby. I am having a c section so will be in a few days but there was no way I could get it all in one. X

I had the exact same worries as you and after reading some threads on the internet I decided that having two bags was the way forward - one strictly for labour and one to keep in the car for the ward afterwards....

Which would have been fine except I couldn't fit everything in the smaller bag I was going to use for labour and I threw a strop and its all back in one bag which means I look like I'm going on the same holiday as you!!

I packed 2 bags - 1 for me, and a changing bag with clothes, cotton wool and nappies for the baby.

The other bag had stuff for me during labour and in the postnatal ward. I also had a couple of plastic bags. One bag was for DH to take away any of the antenatal stuff I no longer needed (TENS machine, manky clothing etc) the other bag I kept as a dirty laundry bag.

I then kept the boot of the car stocked like a small shop with extra breast pads, maternity pads, nappies and baby clothes and left them there. DH was dispatched to the car park when I needed supplies of anything.

I came on to suggest 2 bags one for you and one for baby. Made things much simpler.

And ditch the baby blanket. In the hospital they will provide this. Fold it up and pop it in the car seat and only bring the car seat in from the car when you're told you're being discharged.

Labour bag: Take this in with you:
Camera
Nightie/Tshirt
Socks
Slip on shoes/slippers
Straws

Hospital bag (For 2 night): Leave in car or take in
Overnight-
3 vest tops or easy open Pj tops
3 pairs PJ bottoms
3 pairs big knickers
20 Night pads
Snacks

Baby-
3 babygrows
Hat
3 vests
Pack of nappies

Carrier bags to put dirty laundry in and have visitors take away.

Going home day: Get DP to bring
Leggings/joggers
Knickers
Bra
Socks
Cardi
Top for you

and

Car seat
Blanket
Cardi for baby

Fuck it, just pack what you need to.

I looked like I was planning a full weekender when both my dd's were born, but nevermind At least we had everything (and I mean everything) that we needed. I don't know how women manage to travel light!

Toiletries travel size are your friends. If you haven't got empty bottles you can buy them from 99p shops.

Why take 2 or 3 bags, take in a cabin sized suitcase. Loads of space.

I have packed a small case:
For me
Two nursing nighties
Dressing gown
Slippers
10 full knickers
2 nursing bras
Sanitary towels
Breast pads
Towel
Toiletries
Nipple cream

For baby:
Five vests
Five baby grows
Going home outfit inc coat and hat
Shawl
Nappies
Toiletries

I will ask dh to bring my going home outfit on the day I am discharged.

Nancer good idea about keeping extra supplies in the car.

Yes keep stuff in the car. What you've packed is perfectly reasonable (I had a whole bag of snacks as well!) but hospitals have nowhere to put anything - I ended up cramming everything onto a windowsill. Remember mobile and charger so you can send OH and family multiple texts letting them know what to bring . You might want to throw in some tissues and handwipes as it's hard to ensure hygiene in the restricted space you get - I was told off by a HCA for putting a used san towel on the over bed table thing - I was catheterised in bed following c-section and there was no bin, and the wash basin was down the other end of the ward!

Also don't forget ear plugs and eye mask - the noise and light levels are ridiculous - you'll hear your baby but it'll help block out the other ones and the nurses loudly discussing their upcoming holidays at 3am.

I gave birth with just my handbag as ds1 was 5 weeks early! So what I am saying is if you have forgotten/need something it's not a big deal as family/friends can bring it for you,

A suitcase should just about fit under the bed! Or several bags. It's a lot easier to find what you are looking for in the middle of the night/in a drug haze.

cheers ladies.
have decided on two bags.
one for the first 24 hours and one to keep in the car so oh can fetch for me.
luckily im in a hospital where you get own room and en-suite so don't have to deal with noise and others.
very helpful advice thank you.

Can anyone tell me if it is standard practice for the hospitals here to provide baby blankets and towels for the mother's use? I had my 1st 2 in ireland and had to bring these items with me, which really does add bulk to the already bulging bag!

It's standard for the hospital to provide bedding for all - sheets and blankets for mum and baby. You'll need to bring your own towels for you and baby though.

When I was taken to hospital with DS I had my purse, the clothes on my back and my wedding ring.

I was in hospital for 8 days and I managed, a very kind student midwife bought pads for me and I wore a hospital gown.

Of course I am not saying you should not take anything but I am also not convinced you need to pack as if you were going away for the week! Perhaps take the minimum of what you think you will need and your partner can bring in anything to may have forgotten/decide you do need after all.

I took a big sports holdall with stuff for labour and straight afterwards and bits for baby. I left a mini suitcase with extras of everything in the car and DH went out to fetch things as and when, but to be honest we hardly needed any of it! It was nice to know it was there though, just in case.

Towels as well? Crikey, I'd assumed the hospital would provide those. Need to find a bigger bag now!

Some hospitals do provide towels. At least mine does. You should check with hospital.

My hopsital'provided towels and beddimng.

O agree pack minimal assuming short stay but have extras ready packed for partner to bring in.

Can I may re baby in car seat do NOT put them in a coat or snowsuit, this is dangerous, jsit cover them with blankets and pop a hat in them.

I completely overdid it with DD. I had two bags. I took a DVD player and playing card FFS although think this was on MN advice. Believe me there was no point between contractions that I thought, yes what I fancy now is a game of cards with DH or a film. [confused

Must haves on the other hand were a big (dark red) bath towel and my own shower gel/shampoo - best shower of my life. Big knickers and PJs (Primary), and vest, hat and sleep suit for DD.

Think the advice to back a short stay bag and have another in reserve is excellent.

Primary = Primark!!

When I arrived at hospital in labour, the midwife took one look at me with my hold all & asked if i was going on holiday for 2 weeks