daddy hospital survival pack - ideas anyone ?

[Jemima1988]

I am planning on making a surprise survival hamper for my boyfriend for when I go into labour ........... I'm wanting funny bits and some essentials and maybe a few little gifts

Any ideas?

[TestingTestingWonTooFree]

I had a phone charger that would work for him and packed t shirt pants and socks. I bought him an easy to read book and a pack of expensive snacks. Had a little purse of change for vending machines in my hospital bag. DH mainly ate at Costa while I was in hospital while I made do with less exciting hospital food.

[FamiliesShareGerms]

There isn't always a lot of space in delivery suites and postnatal wards to have goody hampers strewn around - so think of it as the equivalent of your hospital bag and make sure it all fits into a small satchel-type bag.

[ToAvoidConversation]

I've been in hospital a few times with HG. Both times I hadn't planned on being admitted that day so once I didn't have a bag and the other time I managed to cobble something together whilst throwing up.

We're re-packing my bag today incase we end up admitted again. Apart from all my bits & bobs I'm going to include a change of clothes for DH as last time he had to sit all night in his suit as he had come straight from work. A toothbrush and some personal washing stuff (I can't stand the smell of deo so he has to shower on his return from work), snacks and some juice for him. Means he doesn't have to leave me which he hates. We have the same phone and a charger has come in useful a few times.

[Eastpoint]

Get him some snacks & a clean t-shirt. I struggled carrying my own stuff in when I was in labour - I think you need as little as possible so you don't have to think about it all.

[MrsWombat]

A clean t shirt, deodorant, mints, small bottle of Pepsi, and a few snacks.

[Bellyrub1980]

Ah right! Good old nausea/vomiting rears it's ugly head once again!

[eatscakefornoreasonwhatsoever]

Right. I asked DH, but he was fairly useless and said he couldn't remember - he did say anything for entertainment purposes was a waste of time. The clean clothes were good because hospitals are hot and he was sweating like a ...actually I won't use his analogy. It was a bit blue.

He remembers the chocolate cigar though! :)

[WhyOWhyWouldYou]

Bellyrub - because (sorry for tmi but) i projectile vommited the second i hit established labour, soaking myself, the midwife, the bed and quite a bit on the floor too (was in hospital already due to complications). After that even the idea of food made me sick, until a few hours after labour.

The midwives informed me its actually fairly common to throw up in labour and a lot of women get like i did about the idea of food.

[weebairn]

I bought my DP a book on being a dad and a beer and a bottle of daddies sauce (har har) and a card saying thanks for being a support during pregnancy and labour which I sorted out beforehand, gave him after the birth was over.

Yes I would have withheld it if he'd been a complete twat during the labour Luckily he was a superstar.

(He got me champagne and soft cheese!!)

This time he says he is making a box of nice things for our toddler "from baby" to give to her after the birth. Hope I get champagne again… :)

[eatscakefornoreasonwhatsoever]

Ban him from eating stinky food. Seriously.

If you want something nice for when it's all over, how about a chocolate cigar hidden in your bag that you can present him with in honour of his new daddy-hood?

Otherwise I will second the deodorant, clean pants, socks and T-shirt, some chewing gum, lots of non-stinky snacks and a sports drink (same for you) and a camera so he can take pictures afterwards. Make it a survival kit - not a goodie bag. He will be too distracted to enjoy it, I promise :)

I can ask my DH what he found most useful if you like? We were there a while and luckily had packed him a daddy bag.

[ThinkIveBeenHacked]

Deck of cards - we played a fair few rounds of Gin Rummy whilst in labour.

Definetly a toothbrush and toothpaste - I sent dh off to brush his teeth at the pushing stage as he had minging coffee breath.

[Bellyrub1980]

Why wouldn't you want to notice your DP eating? Because of nausea?

[TheBogQueen]

My friends husband took his marking

[WhyOWhyWouldYou]

Im also with those saying youll want his attention on you not a film or music.

However it would be good for him to have face wipes, toothbrush & paste, deodrant, full change of clothes incase you projectile vomit on him.

Then some snacks that he can eat without you really noticing. Hell also need a phone charger and camera for after.

[rockstars12]

I think this is a really great idea. It's crappy for us, but can be hard on them too and if you have an amazingly supportive dp, will be nice surprise.
Think I might add treats for after though and buy him something nice. Ours will be a scheduled c section for twins who will probably spend time in nicu or sbcu too. My DH deserves some nice things. He has basically been my full time carer during this pregnancy literally doing everything, all I do is shuffle from bed to toilet to sofa and alternate. I feel so sorry for him as he's working full tie ad has been eft to organise everything in their rooms etc. all without a single word of complaint, he's exhausted all the time poor man.

[AppleAndMelon]

Sorry, I'm with the cynics on this thread! This is your first baby OP, isn't it? Just concentrate on you!

[Droflove]

Oh and how about a little pile of coins and cash for vending machines etc.

[Droflove]

I suggest jelly beans however.

[Droflove]

Gosh, my last labour was 2 days of dh having to leap of of his chair every 3 minutes to rub my back as I roared. He barely had time to eat the snacks we had bought for me the poor fellow.

[Brabra]

ha ha ha! What exactly do you think he will be 'surviving'?

[Bellyrub1980]

I really like this idea, but will pack it with him rather than as a surprise. I think it may help him prepare mentally for the labour if he knows he's got some stuff in a bag. The one thing I'm definitely going to pack for him is food. He literally cannot function or focus if he's hungry! I'm almost tempted by the takeaway leaflet ideas but slightly concerned he would end up ordering a huge smelly kebab.

Thinking about it.... It will probably be just a bag of snacks, drinks and a spare t shirt.

[salonmeblowy]

First, you are a woman after my own heart. During my first induced four day labour (it sounds a lot worse than it actually was), DH had the good sense to never let me witness him eat. He did feed me between contractions though, bless him, for days. That is why I need him focused this time too, not rummaging around in a thoughtfully pre-packed personalised goody bag.

OP, I really admire your kindness, I mean it.

[ithoughtofitfirst]

One if the few memories i have of my labour was DH saying "would anyone mind if I go get something to eat? I've got the shakes"

Eat? EAT? How dare you eat?!

What a bastard.

[salonmeblowy]

I am with the goats on this one. This is the time DH gets to properly focus his mind on what I need. I'd hate to distract him with his favourite snacks/music.

[ohthegoats]

You're far kinder than me. This is the time he gets to suffer frankly!