The Definitive Hospital Bag list

[WhatsTheWordHummingbird]

This is my second dc and I need little to nothing in preparation except hospital bag stuff.

Last time round I just sort of threw everything in and went and can't really remember what I used and what I didnt amd I want to be Miss Organised this time around.

So....help me make a list please. What do I need for certain, what was a waste of you taking.

Help!

I wrote this for DC2 after having DC1:

Hospital bag (after labour)

Nightgowns (front opening)
Nursing bras
Tena Lady pants
Maternity pads
Breast pads - normal & hydrogel
Breast shells
Compresses (MAM & Lansinoh)
Codeine
Paracetamol
Ibruprofen
Aloe Vera Durex Lube
Lansinoh cream
Lansinoh latch assist
Moist toilet tissue
Sanitary bags
Anusol HC
Flip flops
Toilet bag
Phone & charger
Ecover hand wash & hand cream
Pillows
Lactulose

Hospital bag (labour)
Cold compress
Swim suit top
Camera
Misting spray
Food
Birth ball
Straws
Water

Hospital bag (baby)
Babygrows
Vests
Nappies
Bepanthan
Shawl & blanket
Muslins
Hat & Cardigan

I wish I had taken my make up with me last time. I felt hideous after the birth and would have loved to spruce myself up a bit to feel better.

I would add Vaseline/ lip balm. Awful dry lips with gas and air

Make up. Yes! I looked like a boiled potato after the last birth. A bit of tinted moisturiser would have gone far.

Durex lube?!!????! Why??

Lube!

I had an emcs so needed peppermint tea and soda water

Also nipple shells and sheilds

Bigger knickers than I thought -size 18-20

Flip flops were a must

Camera

Headphones and extra phone credit

Oh yes, I got dh to bring in a proper mug and flask and tea bags. Was in for six days

Missed lube

MN tip! It was THE most soothing thing I found for my stitches. I kept it in the fridge! Amazing!

I hope I don't tear again but if I do...aloe vera lube is THE way to go!

Marking place!

Anti bac wipes. Just to re wash feet before getting in to bed.
Bobbles for hair.

For me I really regret not having enough knickers and maternity pads. My waters had gone and I had to wait for 12 hours before getting to theatre for CS. (Planned CS was brought forward due to ruptured membranes)
I was contracting and very quickly soaked everything I had, DH couldn't go in search of more as risk of missing birth. Ward did not have any, or were unable to supply any spares.
I would also recommend your DH's underpants!............ I bought my DH some new ones and pinched those before he had even opened packet. They were a godsend with a section scar but also great with big bulky mat pads.
Muslins. Warm socks. Nice shampoo and shower gel. Small towel to put on floor after getting out of shower so don't have to stand on manky floor.

Thank you to everyone. I didnt shower the last time I went in (apart from once post birth in a private room with ensuite) so not sure if I will do the same this time.

The softest toilet paper money can buy.

Just marking place.

Can only think of straws for during labour (so partner can help you drink) and squirts bottle to aid peeing after.

Gracious stargirl, wonder what the midwives thought

Not a hospital bag thing but on the subject of stitches, my lovely aunt sent me a wee bottle of lavender oil - the £3 ones you can get in the chemist - and it was heaven in a bath for weeks afterward. Heavenly heaven. Soothing and healing. I recommend.

OP, pack some food, or if you're greedy like me instruct DH carefully on its immediate acquisition. Tea and toast do NOT cut it!

Ha! I didn't have it hospital. I posted on here after I got home and someone suggested it. Bloody genius. Designed for the area

The MW did give me a ice condom, mind you! It was soothing too!

an ice condom! WTF is an ice condom?! stargirl I thought I'd heard it all....

A condom filled with water and frozen. You just use it like on ice pack.

NHS Tayside

Food. Yes. Good idea! I was brought a roast dinner by the canteen trolley last time and was not in the mood for that so dh ate it.

Wouldnt it be all slippery?

It was wrapped in gauze before it was frozen.

Aren't condoms like water balloons and blow up to HUGE proportions when filled with water?

It was a normal size

I will ask how they make them up when I have DC2 in Aug!