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Original poster

Another novice question regarding.. Things I'm likely to forget to put in Hospital Bag?

60 replies

RL20 · 08/02/2015 09:10

I'm 29+6 and over the next few weeks I'm going to start putting my hospital bag together. I know the basics and with all of the leaflets/diaries/books I've been given, it's hard to not take it all in!

But what did you add into your hospital bag that wasn't necessarily a need, but was really useful for you?
Either for you or baby.

Thanks!

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GoooRooo · 09/02/2015 16:46

Definitely a packet of biscuits - I was STARVING last time.

I didn't take my make up last time and regretted it. I look so tired and haggard in the photos - I know that's vain!

MarmiteChocolate · 09/02/2015 17:49

My top tip - take a large bottle of mineral water. I hate the taste if tap water anyway, but the tepid and stale water in plastic jugs that they give you in hospital is seriously rank! You need fluids, esp if breastfeeding, and ot really made me feel a lot happier having a big bottle of nice tasting water to slurp. dp brought me in 2 a day (I was in 5 days).

fizzycolagurlie · 09/02/2015 19:31

I don't think I had a hospital bag. I had a clean nightie if I stayed an extra night (I did indeed do that) and a hairbrush and some clothes to come home in. For DD I had baby grow, hat, coat and car seat (nappies were given to me that time I think).

People take far too much stuff. If you're in labor you won't be reading a book you'll be getting on with it.

cunexttuesonline · 09/02/2015 20:03

This is my 2nd time and this is what I will be packing shortly (PS, thanks OP as hadn't made my list yet!) -

Cartons of juice
Biscuits
Fruit pots
Nappies
Sleepsuits
Baby hat
Baby wipes
Muslin
Lansinoh nipple cream
Nightie
Nursing pyjamas
Dark towel
Long belted cardigan
Massive pants
Maternity pads
Shampoo, conditioner, shower gel
Make up
Hairbrush
Hair bobbles
Hair band
Phone charger
Magazines
Slippers
Joggers/top to come home in
Pramsuit

CheeseEMouse · 09/02/2015 20:05

Second ear plugs and eye mask. They are top of my list this time!

LancashireTea · 09/02/2015 20:08

Having spent the last few weeks packing and repacking mine, I decided today to write up a final checklist for last minute things and have stuck it on the back of the front door.
I've got the bags ready to go and stuck the car seat in the car already. I'm not stressing about labour at all. (liar).

BossWitch · 09/02/2015 20:09

Small plastic jug (I used the one for filling the kettle!) to use to pour water on your fanjo whenever you pee post labour. Stings a LOT less this way and rinses some of the blood out of the way too.

TheLondoner22 · 09/02/2015 20:21

Razor! I had armpits like a 60 year old European Shock

VivaLeBeaver · 09/02/2015 20:26

A pen.

JanieLovesLuckySocks · 09/02/2015 20:31

Your own pillow from your bed at home. Made my stay much more comfy x

LetMeDriveTheBus · 09/02/2015 20:37

Defo a hairband and one of those fabric alice bands to keep hair fully away from your face/neck. Great in labour and then breastfeeding afterwards.

Sports bottle.

Pack of snickers or other high energy food for afterwards.

Earplugs.

Nice smelling toiletries to revive yourself afterwards.

LovelyBranches · 09/02/2015 21:39

Gas and air made my throat dry and my lips chapped-they bled because of it! I would pack lip salve and drinks with straws-Capri sun and Ribena are good.

Maltesers are good because they melt in your mouth if you have a contraction. By the end my midwife was giving me lucozade tablets (very long labour) so you may want to consider that.

Pillows are a must, the plastic flat pillows in hospital are horrible.

Lansinoh (I don't know if that's spelt correctly) was a lifesaver for cracked nipples.

OccamsLadyshave · 09/02/2015 22:01

I had to send exp home for 0-3 babygros because dd wouldn't fit in the newborn ones I'd packed. 10lb 8oz and long!

And definitely food. I was only in for one night but the food doesn't appear at the times you need it. Also exp ate half my toast!

minipie · 09/02/2015 22:44

Marking place!

I would add : plastic bags! so that you can wrap up any clothes that get messy with bolidy fluids of one kind or another.

Hat and cardi for baby, it's warm on ward but cold outside, and if the baby is small they'll do best wrapped up.

Water wipes are fine for newborns and much easier than cotton wool and water.

Spare contact lenses if you wear them, and glasses.

cherrylola · 09/02/2015 23:48

I found a snickers that DP hadn't got round to eating and had shoved in my handbag. TOTAL GODSEND in the middle of the night after labour when there's no one around and you're stuck on the ward not sleeping but absolutely bloody starving!!!

cherrylola · 09/02/2015 23:57

My top tip is, when you've packed your bag full of all the things you will need make sure you write a list of all the other things that you use everyday so can't pack and stick it to the front of the bag so it can easily be grabbed and items gathered within a few minutes. Mine went along the lines of;
Phone charger
Fresh drinking water
Make up bag (not that I could be arsed to put any on but hey, I wanted to have it!)
Yada yada

I also added to the list with essential things to do before leaving the house before going to hospital in a hurry;
Leave cat loads of food and water
Unplug wotsit doodah etc

This was as much as a reminder for me as for DP.
It was mainly for DP. I won't lie Wink
It did mean that there were no panics and nothing was forgotten Smile

cherrylola · 09/02/2015 23:58

Put yellow hospital notes on your list!!!

BumpAndGrind · 10/02/2015 02:11

If you are going to pack what you can in advance, make a list of the stuff you can't, phone charger, toothbrush, etc (stuff you can't pack away because you use it too often)

Put the list in with the already packed stuff then just check the list and add the things you need just before you go.

BumpAndGrind · 10/02/2015 02:12

It means you can do very last minute packing without actually having to think straight.

BumpAndGrind · 10/02/2015 02:14

Just refreshed the thread Blush

I see my tip has already been mentioned... it's a good tip Grin

PooersMummy · 10/02/2015 02:18

I had the nct hydrant - great for keeping hydrated during labour and after my emergency c section.
Also hot mama facial spritz - as it had menthol and citrus it was refreshing and the menthol kept my skin cool for a while after application.

PooersMummy · 10/02/2015 02:20

Sorry it was called 'cool it mama' not hot mama!
I got it from mothercare online.

Original poster
RL20 · 10/02/2015 05:11

Wow thanks everyone.. I think I've caught up with everyone's posts!
I'm going to write a list later on today (after I've been back to sleep for a bit. Been awake since around 3.30am because the cat felt like rearranging the kitchen so it seemed!).
The list will be a mile long! It's handy to know what other people ended up using that weren't originally on their list. I'm sure it will help! Thank you

OP posts:
bigbluestars · 10/02/2015 07:01

None of it is really crucial.

I found that out to my cost. I had my hospital bag packed and ready for several weeks prior to my first child being born. I felt very prepared.

On the day my labour started OH grabbed my bag and we headed to hospital. It was only in the delivery suite when I asked for something that OH realised he had picked up the wrong bag by mistake. In his haste he had grabbed a similar bag that we had taken to Turkey some months before.

The midwives creased up as he pulled out the entire contents of the bag- a pair of flippers, a mask and a snorkel.

The staff were great, managed to find me everything I needed, including nappies, baby clothes, socks, vaseline for my chapped lips.

worriedmum100 · 10/02/2015 07:46

My mum had a really good idea which was to pack a complete baby outfit (vest,baby grow, hat etc) in plastic sandwich bags do all I had to do was pull out a bag rather than root around for different bits. I was in 3 days after an EMCS and DS was very sicky and brought up a lot of mucus. I got through all of the outfits I packed and more!