Since you've been so helpful so far everyone, can I ask about your hospital bag essentials please?

[fruityb]

Just that, what would you recommend please? I'm looking online and have some thoughts, but would really appreciate hearing from others and what their absolute essential, couldn't live without, awesome items were?

Thank you :)

As little as possible lol. I didn't take a hopsital bag (had a home birth and then forgot to take my essentials with me when they transferred me in for stitches lol)
Phone charger (because you'll want to be able to let people know and take pictures). We forgot ours so had to make like 2 phone calls and tell them to pass the message on hahaha
Maternity Pads (the really thick hideous mattress ones)
Maternity knickers or comfy Bridget Jones nickers that you don't mind throwing away
Size 0/1 nappies for little one.
Vests and baby gros for little one (dressing a newborn is super tricky, don't bother with intricate outfits). I'd recommend baby gros that fasten up the front, not ones that you have to put over thier head
You might want a shower after labour so, take a sponge and shampoo/conditioner
A FLANNEL!! biggest god send if your having a vb. when you have a wee, dampen the flannel and put it on your lady bits when you wee and it won't sting. also good flor cleaning yourself because toilet paper is not very fairy friendly
Breast pads, coz you'll possibly leak when your baby cries

As little as possible lol. I didn't take a hopsital bag (had a home birth and then forgot to take my essentials with me when they transferred me in for stitches lol)
Phone charger (because you'll want to be able to let people know and take pictures). We forgot ours so had to make like 2 phone calls and tell them to pass the message on hahaha
Maternity Pads (the really thick hideous mattress ones)
Maternity knickers or comfy Bridget Jones nickers that you don't mind throwing away
Size 0/1 nappies for little one.
Vests and baby gros for little one (dressing a newborn is super tricky, don't bother with intricate outfits). I'd recommend baby gros that fasten up the front, not ones that you have to put over thier head
You might want a shower after labour so, take a sponge and shampoo/conditioner
A FLANNEL!! biggest god send if your having a vb. when you have a wee, dampen the flannel and put it on your lady bits when you wee and it won't sting. also good flor cleaning yourself because toilet paper is not very fairy friendly
Breast pads, coz you'll possibly leak when your baby cries

Toothbrush & paste and deodorant! Spare PJs/nightshirt; spare bras.
Agree with posts above for other stuff. Don't forget the baby carseat.

Baby essentials, lots of nappies, plenty baby grows & vests and Muslim squares (don't underestimate how many you may go through. For you; big comfy pyjamas x2, maternity pads the thick ones and double up on them if you have a CB for extra cushioning, breast pads, crop top or maternity bra, phone charger, dry shampoo, big nickers m&s dos some great seamless ones. I'd also pack a hand fan of you can find one as the wards can get quite hot! And a small plastic jug, just like Hidingthefear flannel suggestion but to pour cold water as you wee.

Fig rolls. Eat them at the beginning of labour. You will thank me afterwards.

Straws. I saw that tip on here all the time when researching bag packing and thought it was a bit strange but took some anyway.

They were a godsend during labour and helped me stay in the zone as I didn't have to change position etc to drink

As above but also one of these. If your maternity ward is like mine, the bays only have one plug. When you have to decide which to keep plugged in - bed (height and angle adjustment), fan or phone charger you'll be very grateful for one!
After two days my husband went in the loft and got the one for the Christmas lights. Best thing he brought in for me

Starting that is the best tip ever!

My essential was flip flops for the shower and nappies, lots and lots of nappies, I underestimated how much I would need and paid an extortionate amount from the hospital shop

Fig rolls and an extension lead are new ones on me lol. Thank you guys! Why the fig rolls out of interest??

I need some nursing bras or tops. I plan on BF but will make sure I have back up as well.

My sister was laughing at me when I mentioned disposable pants, she said they were a godsend. Need to go to mothercare people less likely to laugh at me there lol

For hospital bag and the weeks after, a few pairs of comfy black pants!!
Also hair bobbles. I forgot, and sent DH running out to the car to find one when I was in the throes of labour and he nearly missed the birth.

For baby:
Baby grows and vests
Socks, scratch mitts, a hat and cardigan
Blanket and a teddy
Nappies, cotton wool, dummy(?)

For you during labour:
Big nightie
Snacks and sport drinks
Hair bobble/clip

For you after baby has arrived:
Pyjamas
Slippers without a back so you don't need to bend down to put them on
Pads
Fragrance free baby wipes for wiping after a wee!
Going home outfit
Dry shampoo and a hairbrush
Shower stuff and toothpaste+brush
Your phone and charger

Fruit pastilles. Chocolate made me vomit when miced with gas and air, but I really needed the sugar. Also sucking on a fruit pastille helped me focus through the contractions.

Baby wipes. Not for the baby - for on your bits after you wee/shower. Much more comfortable than loo paper and doesn't matter if you bleed on them like it would a bath towel.

A dark (black is good) dressing gown, stains are less visible than on a white one. I walked from the car to the unit in mine to save room in my bag.

I second a multi-plug. I took one of the little double-USB adapter ones so that DH and I could both charge our phones at the same time.

Good luck OP 💐

Nursing bras/tops aren't essential. Those soft "crop top" style bras (about a fiver from Asda) are perfect - no catches to fiddle about with, soft and supportive, big enough to hold a breast pad in place, and can either be pulled up or down depending on what you're wearing over them.

Advantage of short hair - no need for bobbles! But may need head bands. I am going to buy some more of the yoga pants I got in mothercare I think - so comfy!

I know people who seem to be back in their pre baby wardrobe within a week! I just can't see that happening with me at all. I don't know how they do it.

Will add to the list. I have a soft crop top bra from sainsburys I bought at the start of being pregnant as my boobs hurt so much it was ridiculous! May get a couple more in that case.

Small shampoo and conditioner.
Toothbrush
Water bottle
Undies
An outfit for home

Ham I tell everyone I know who's having a baby, it was I life saver as we were stuck in for over a week.

Fruity I believe figs have a laxative effect .
Good luck

Handheld battery operated fan. Honestly it was a godsend. I didnt really use anything else i brought for myself. I couldnt eat or drink anything id brought because i was constantly sick. I gave birth in the dress i went in in as i forgot to get changed! I brought an outfit to go home in but hadnt thought it through. Just take something extremely comfy to go home in, and easy to put on as if youve had an epidural it can be quite difficult to move etc. You bleed loads so loads of dark and massive underwear and maternity pads are a must. As others have mentioned a flannel is a good idea or a small jug so that you can pour warm water or hold a warm wet flannel over your stitches when you wee if youve had stitches. x

DC2 is coming up 3 months and this time round the Hong that made most difference to me was incontinence pants. Stick with me...

Maternity pads are all good but I found them a bit narrow. Got in a right mess after DC1 (had repairs with spinal and catheter that made things much worse). The massively wide gusset on the pants (I used the Always ones) means much better 'containment' for the first few days.

A laxative. I didn't poo for 6 days post birth and that was causing me more pain than the sodding episiotomy I had. If you have a cut or a tear you really won't want to be pushing a poo out so take some (a teaspoon) lactulose each day, can buy from pharmacy just sofens your stool won't give you the runs. I pushed so hard I think it's what made my episiotomy be described as "gaping" but everything will eventually heal so do not fear also, when you do go for a poo for the first time hold a clean thick sanitary towel between your lady bits and your bum if you do tear or need stitches etc, gives the wound support and less chance of infection. Sorry if it all sounds grim but I WISH someone would of told me this rather than "it's an amazing pain free experience"

Just realised how horrible I sound. It is an amazing experience but people can't honestly say it doesn't hurt at all or have some effect down there, even if just a bit tender! Also a hair bobble! Gets sweaty. And have a quick check before the birth photos get sent round, my nipples were out in mine

Flip flops for the hospital wards and showers too sorry for so many comments, I still have baby brain! "Water wipes" for baby can get them In boots so when the midwives tell you only cotton wool and water will do you can say it's as pure as. Meconium is too sticky to be doing with cotton wool!

We didn't take enough cotton wool pads for bottom cleaning. Our hospital didn't have a space for changing so I took a travel change mat and used it in the cot - would have been stressful if I hadn't bought that. I think everything else has been mentioned. Dark dressing gown? I wish I'd taken some nipple shields but you might not have the same problem. Do take nipple cream at least though!

I ended up having EMCS, so anything that required bending over was a no-no... A simple stretchy strappy nightdress was great, I just dropped the straps for BF and skin-to-skin. Flip flops also a god send, for showers etc. The food at the hospital where I had DC2 was appalling so bring your own favourite snacks just in case!

I had a planned section but as quite a few births do end up as a c-section it might be worth packing a few pairs of massive high wasted pants 2 sizes bigger than normal. Tops/nighties/pj's that have feeding access are very important too as I found I was sat around with my boobs out a lot and was easy to just pull a strap up if anyone came in.