Hospital bag - what don't they tell you to pack?

[BexusSugarush]

I have scoured through this forum reading all of the posts about the essentials, and have that covered completely. What I know alot of us want now are opinions on personal comforts you took, things you wish you'd taken and also anything that you would specifically have your partner bring.

You can never be too prepared :)

Straws. Someone told me to pack them and it was the most helpful thing during Labour. The g&a really dried out my mouth but there is no way you can hold a cup and drink from it during a contraction. Dh held the cup with the straw pointing at me and it meant I could just pop my head up out of the birthing pool and drink.

Also pack some naice chocolates/biscuits and a thank you card for the midwives to give to them when you leave.

IKEA pillows come packaged in a sausage so easy to take with you, I also took some cheap pillowcases from home bargains. I left then with another mum when I left!

Every midwife who saw us during and after the birth commented on how amazing my clip on fan was! I think it was this one http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B00865U8WQ/ref=mpssa111?qid=1445798044&sr=8-1&pi=SY200_QL40&keywords=Clip+on+fan+benross&dpPl=1&dpID=41W5blyJgUL&ref=plSrch it was so nice to have my own! Other than that, a v shaped pillow (this was in the car till afterwards) and much better for breastfeeding than the useless boppy!

Something to keep you cool-ice, fan, water spray- is a great idea. I have never felt so absolutely boiling as when I had my babies and being sprayed with water mist was amazing. I may not get out much...

Food. Lots of food/snacks.
Pillows.
A fan.
Hairdryer and a mirror.
More food!
Teabags (eg herbal, earl grey or whatever are your fav).

Cotton Wool

I had my little girl 13 weeks go and I would definitely recommend taking a flanel. I had an awful labour but having a cold flanel to put on my face/back of neck etc was nice. Also straws and Vaseline/lip balm as you lips can get dry especially if you have gas and air at any point!

Moist toilet paper - tmi but it is much more soothing on your swollen bits and if you get piles, it is easier to wipe.

Change for vending machine - I had a raging thirst for a cold (it had to be cold) can of fizzy drink post birth.

Pillow - my bed was comfy but the pillow I was given was about as thick as a 2p piece(!) luckily I took my own pillow.

Snacks for on the ward, especially things like dried apricots which are good for iron, but also chocolate and crisps for when you just want something nice and comforting. A spare bag packed for a longer stay to keep in the car or at home just in case so you are not relying on your DH or DMs idea of what you should be wearing while shuffling about between maternity and neo-natal, frilly knickers and tight trousers and tops and no body wash apparently, thanks mum.

Pregnancy /breastfeeding pillow. Battery packs to charge phones etc. Tweezers and emery board - I thought I wouldn't care about my fast growing eyebrows and nails, but after nearly a week I really did want to take five mins to tame them

Prunes, prunes and more prunes! Plus prune juice if you can stomach it. Can you tell what I found most traumatic after having DD?
Plus bring food, particularly if you're veggie. I was in for several days (section) and I got jacket potato with either beans or cheese (they never had both together) only twice a day, with toast for breakfast. Possibly the reason I feel so strongly about my first recommendation!

Maternity pads - no one tells you it's like the ganges for ages after.

Oh yeah, anusol too.

Definitely snacks and water bottles. Also, ditch the 'maternity pads' and go for the Tena pants (adult diapers). These were a godsend, i had originally once used them during a miscarriage and subsequently used then post-birth. No need for 'old big pants, disposable pants' etc. And they're discreet.
Large dark coloured bath towel also a must.

Earplugs earplugs earplugs. Seriously, you'll be amazed at the snoring, and equally amazed at how, at 2 in the morning, the midwives would rather the entire ward was awake because of one person snoring than actually wake the snorer and allow us all some piece. if you're a snorer, please for the love of god, take some breath right strips
Oh, and I had an elcs so I took my own china mug and instant coffee granules. Sounds bizarre, but it was nice to have a touch of home comforts.

Peppermint tea/oil, especially if you have a section.

Straws. It really helped me when I couldn't sit up to have a drink.

Your own squash to dilute.

Phone charger
Earphones
Ear plugs
Eye mask
Lip balm
Nice smelling shower gel (for afterwards- you will look like you have committed a chain saw massacre before you shower)
Sealable snacks for you and dh (they may feed you - they will not feed him- and if you have been in labour for 16 hours 'almost there' he will not be minded to take a trip to the cafe and risk leaving you
Movicol. Agree with other posters re poo.
Large water bottle
Toothbrush, toothpaste and dehoderant
Hospital cardigan (something warm and drapy which you can wear while cannularised- there are never enough hospital blankets)

Good luck !

If you don't like prunes I found a giant bag of liquorice allsorts had the same effect !!