Ok, panicked FTM - What do I actually need in my hospital bags?

[LJHH]

Trying to be sensible and get this done instead of leaving it to the last minute plus need to go out and buy what I actually need (I'm 31 weeks, have a feeling this one is going to pop early) have googled and seen all sorts of different lists telling me I need different things.... like a sieve, really do I need a sieve?! I was planning a water birth but even so....

Then I'm reading you need tiny baby clothes, newborn clothes, 0-3 clothes in case I have a porker. Baby will need a hat/Baby wont need a hat, Bring a blanket/Baby wont be allowed his own blanket and will have to use hospital stuff. Aaarrghh.

I am not going to breastfeed, I know its best and the midwives will try and force me too, but I have made my mind up. Do i need to bring bottles or will the hospital have this?
Same with nappies, pack my own or will they have them?

I know people also say you wont care about your dignity when you're in labour but I would like to try and keep the top half of me dressed if at all possible, I know I would feel more comfortable less exposed. Again with the water birth would prefer not to be completely naked if possible.
Any ideas of what I can wear??

This is all SO CONFUSING!
Any advice is gratefully received.

[AuntieMaggie]

TooExtraImmatureCheddar I'm sure they're used to people overpacking. There was a lady I met who had been admitted having been told she'd be there for 2 weeks before being induced and so had 2 weeks worth of stuff (including her food) but had an EMCS on her second night so had all her stuff moved with her by several staff when she moved rooms!

[LJHH]

I'm the queen of overpacking, I'd rather take everything and feel better knowing if I need it, it's there.
Glad I'm not the only one!

[Keepthechangeyoufilthyanimal]

FTM here too, so this thread has been useful, I am 38 weeks.
Here is the list of things I've packed - based on what my hospital recommends (and went for a tour of the wards yesterday so now have an idea of what facilities and space they have) plus some wise Mumsnet folk!

My bag (cabin sized suitcase)

Nightie to give birth in
Slippers
£1 flip flops for showers etc
Flannel
Lip balm
Book
Straws
Bottle of ribena (I don't like plain water at the best of times, never mind when it is room temperature/warm)
Snacks - Cereal bars, biscuits, individual fruit pots, savoury crackers, lucozade etc. (bringing plenty of these as DH is diabetic so will be needed for him too)
Massage oil
Milton wipes (for not so clean surfaces)
Breastfeeding nightie/PJs to wear after giving birth
Hot water bottle
x2 nursing sleep bras
x2 packs maternity towels
x1 box breast pads
x5 pairs old knickers
Old towel for shower
Change of clothes (jogging bottoms, vest top & tshirt)
Socks
Washbag with travel versions of my every day toiletries
Nipple cream
Soft toilet wipes
travel hairdryer & brush, hair bands etc.
Clean T-shirt for DH

Baby's bag: (Will leave this in the car until after baby has arrived then will send DH to get it later along with car seat!)

x1 pack newborn nappies
x1 pack large cotton wool pads
x3 muslins
x4 sleepsuits
x4 vests
x1 light cotton hat
x1 pair socks
x1 pair scratch mitts (only bringing these as the newborn sleep suits I have don't have them built in, annoyingly)
x1 lightweight blanket
x1 lightweight cardigan

Stuff I use daily to chuck in the bag at the last minute:

Phone & charger
Camera
Maternity notes
My own pillow

[LJHH]

I have a cabin sized suitcase too, and my list was basically the same as yours. I'm going to take one of my own pillows (due to a pp scaring me re other people dribbling on hospital ones :) )
And some paracetomol, my best friend kept yelling at me that I had to pack some so I just did as I was told

Picked our car seat up from MIL's where it had been in a box waiting and now it's just sat in the middle of the spare room looking scary! The prams staying there but that's all good to go as well, eeekk

Good luck with everything

[AuntieMaggie]

The paracetomal is because it can take them a while to get you some. The MW that admitted me with high BP told DP to bring my pillow in to make me more comfortable along with my dressing gown which I didn't think I'd need with it being so warm but being awake and emotional in the early hours it was nice to snuggle into.

Car seat - you won't need this at the same time as the other baby stuff and they don't like you bringing them on the ward until you're ready to leave (there can be a delay between them saying they're discharging you and you actually leaving). But make sure you know how to use it before you go into labour!

[LJHH]

The paracetomol thing makes much more sense now!
And yep, car seat will stay in car. We had a go yesterday but were both so hot and bothered and rushing to get to asda before it closed, we just left it on the back seat unplugged. To anyone driving past we must of looked like the worlds most irresponsible parents with a car seat wobblying around the backseat