What's in your hospital bag?

[thorshammer]

I know this has probably been done to death but I'm writing my list and fancied a chat and some inspiration .

So was was/is your hospital bag essentials ?

An ill fitting set of pj's that I hadn't tried on for weeks and had to abandon and steal my husbands spare tshirt and tracksuit bottoms (long induction)
My tip- check your clothes still fit if you go overdue.
Ditto chuck in some 0-3 baby clothes as my big baby looked like the Incredible Hulk in his newborn baby gro.

that happened to my ds too he was a 10lber and half the stuff I bought didn't fit!
I have a growth scan in the morning so I'm going to ask for a rough predicted birth weight.

Maternity breastfeeding dresses with leggings - comfy to sleep in, feed baby, and feel good walking around. Plus ready to leave hospital asap. I wouldn't have wanted to wear pjs all day.

Small bags within one larger bag. So baby stuff in one, wash stuff another, dirty stuff another. Wash bags/ wet bags/ all work.

I trawled all the threads on mumsnet about hospital bags and found some things that sounded smart that I hadn't thought of or seen on the standard lists:
Your own pillow in a non-white case (so it doesn't get taken by the hospital accidentally)
iPod & mini speakers
Notebook for writing down breastfeeding tips and questions for doctors and midwives
moist toilet wipes
dry shampoo
earplugs & eyemask
nice teabags & snacks for afterwards
blank thank you cards
plastic bag for dirty clothes

Hair bobble. My hair drove me nuts in labour and I didn't have a bobble . A midwife eventually found me an elastic band!

A stretchy headband to keep hair out of your face. Long stretchy cardigan (instead of dressing gown). An iPad with shows on if you're getting induced!

Breast pads.
Vaseline for dry lips.
More nappies than you think you'll need.
Big pants, for planned or emergency caesarean.