Unusual hospital bag items

[Haahoooo]

I'm packing my hospital bag for the birth of DC2. Have all the basics but would love to hear about unexpected / unusual things you packed in your hospital bag. Interested both in things that came in handy and things that made you wonder 'what was I thinking??' (just because they'll make me laugh ).

I have one of each from my first labour: ended up being very pleased I had packed a bottle of apple squash (couldn't bear the thought of water), but really wonder why I packed quite so many toys (??!) for newborn DD1...

Shower cap. I had a shower around 11pm following DDs birth. I wasn't that steady on my feet, to be honest it looked like the scene from Psycho. I needed to wash. I didn't need wet hair. Shower cap would've been great.

Stretchy wrap sling. Most midwives thought it was a fab idea, but a couple had never seen one. I could snuggle ds close in while moving freely around the ward unencumbered but the rattly goldfish bowl cot!

To me it's an essential item of baby kit but it definitely classes as unusual judging from some of the reactions I got

Definitely packing my stretchy wrap sling now. I kept crashing DS4's goldfish bowl cot into the wall .

My essentials were hair bobbles, pins and a hair band. Can't stand hair in my face! Also wish I'd brought in more savoury snacks and food, I really didn't fancy all the sweets and chocolate I'd brought with me.

My 'what was I thinking?' were loads of normal clothes for after the c/s. I stayed in pyjamas for the three days I was in and left in the same maternity clothes as I wore coming in - my tummy was almost the same size!

Oh and definitely EAR PLUGS!

Incontinence pants!! My midwife recommended them for after my c section with the twins as it saves faffing around with pads, and they help keep your tummy supported a bit. I would defiantly recommend these to everyone, and they would be the first thing I pack next time!

Dry shampoo so you can feel human without having to wash your hair.

Definitely snacks, and something to make you feel like you've had a few vitamins, like cartons of juice.

And antibacterial wipes definitely a good plan.

I'm writing this down

at a snorkel might have made all
the difference!

Now off to google incontinence pants...

Nothing to add in terms of things to pack but a word of warning. With ds1 we got to hospital a fair way into labour. Dh carried the bags in and put them at side of room on floor he quickly followed by placing his lovely new coat ontop while we were talking to mw. As soon as he'd helped remove my bottom half of clothing for an internal, there was a nice big pop and my waters hit everything within a 5 meter radius, including his jacket and the bags.
The moral of the story if your waters haven't gone find high dry ground for your stuff.
I did not enjoy taking his jacket to the dry cleaners :-\