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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Hospital bag size

18 replies

Hannabee123 · 27/11/2017 17:45

Another hospital bag post!

What kind of size bag do people use for hospital bags? I have a medium-ish / large holdall which at the moment mostly contains baby's stuff and pads / nappies / toiletries and so on. Just need to put my clothes in and I'm sorted.
I think I have everything and very prepared. Might be being induced in just over a week so apart from the basics (I've used the ticklist on baby centre for guidance) is there anything anyone can think of which was useful?

The bag isn't ridiculously big I don't think it looks like I'm moving in 😞

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katmarie · 27/11/2017 17:48

I've got a wheely cabin bag suitcase and a separate toiletries bag for me, and the changing back for the baby. We're putting a second bag, hold-all sized, in the car boot for if I have to be in longer than a couple of nights. Dp will have a rucksack too probably with his stuff and snacks, drinks etc in it. Trying to keep it simple!

BabyOrSanta · 27/11/2017 17:52

Eek! I've only got a (normal sized) rucksack!
Granted, it is stuffed but...

goes off to find list of things to put in it that I may have forgotten

Mummyh2016 · 27/11/2017 17:52

We had 3! 2 holdalls and the changing bag. Of course we didn’t use half of it but that’s only because I didn’t have to stay in.

roobrr · 27/11/2017 17:54

If you're going to be induced, err on the side of caution and take more bits for yourself. It can be lengthy! It's best to pack more than less and your birth partner have to run off to get extra bits.

I took in straws second time around as the first my midwife couldn't get one for me and a flannel for when I got sweaty!

Original poster

Hannabee123 · 27/11/2017 18:36

Yeah I literally have everything a baby could need I just need to sort my clothes out. Got some toiletries hair brush all the pads and things for leaking afterwards.
The holdall is getting busy but it's quite light :) I'm impressed. I may steal the idea of having my partner take a rucksack so he can take some things and fill it full of munchies. If I am induced i'l need loads to keep me going 😧
Did anyone bother with nappy rash creams? Been told as long as you keep them clean and dry not to bother but don't know if to take some just in case? Or is that just over packing :/
Oh what am I getting myself in for 😲😂

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Lenska999 · 27/11/2017 18:45

When I was induced via the drip not the pessary I wasn't allowed to eat anything, had a bagful of uneaten snacks afterwards! I didn't know that was the case beforehand, and was not impressed when I found out!!

NC1990 · 27/11/2017 18:53

I really wouldn't bother with nappy rash cream, you shouldn't need it and cotton wool and water will do you just fine (our hospital provided the cotton wool but some might not). I found I didn't use most of what I took but my labour was very quick and we were discharged 15 hours after DD was born, so that's probably why! I used a small suitcase on wheels.

Original poster

Hannabee123 · 27/11/2017 19:05

Got some cotton already as I've heard hospitals can be funny with wipes and things like that! Oh dear I hope not I was going to get some Malteasers and allsorts I suppose it can get eaten afterwards 😀

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0hT00dles · 27/11/2017 19:10

Last time we didn’t pack near enough. Just a tiny bag.

This time, I’ve got a big wheely suitcase with everything for us all. My stuff, baby stuff and food etc. we were kept in for a week last time so ended up having to have bags of items and in the end it was so annoying! So yeah, massive bag here but taking no chances of having to traipse to and from car as it’s a city centre hospital with no parking

RidingMyBike · 27/11/2017 19:27

One medium hold-all plus a small rucksack with things for the baby - we were going in by taxi so could only take what DH could carry in one go.

You don't need that much, and if you end up staying in longer (I was induced and had one night on antenatal, one night on labour ward and three on postnatal) your partner can always bring stuff in to you each day. Mine visited by bus each day and I'd text him with what I needed - it was mostly a case of him taking laundry home and getting it done, plus bringing in more nappies and maternity pads.

I did find it helpful to walk round town with him before I went in pointing out where to buy the nappies we'd chosen, which maternity pads etc I was using as he could then zoom straight to the shelf when he went shopping.

mindutopia · 27/11/2017 19:31

I had a home birth with my first, but she did go into hospital several days later (due to feeding issues) so we were both admitted for 5 days. I took basically a carry-on bag sized suitcase. Frankly, I wore a lot of the same things as the last thing I was thinking about was changes of clothes, so imagine what you would pack for a weekend away. Don't forget a few snacks, magazines, books, chargers, etc. Your partner can always run home and get things and will be grateful to feel useful and also get some fresh air so you really don't need loads.

Original poster

Hannabee123 · 27/11/2017 19:50

Yeah I think the mediumish holdall and rucksack will be more than enough. I do have a fair amount packed already. I've been quite relaxed about it so far - there is the world's biggest sainsburys opposite my chosen hospital so if need be he can nip across the road or bring things from home if we are in longer.
Woah getting slightly scared now though 😓😲

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RidingMyBike · 27/11/2017 20:53

Also, I only ever wore PJs in hospital - five nights initially, then three nights in SCBU. There's nowhere to actually go as you can't leave the baby and you spend most of the time either resting on your bed or sitting next to it so there's no need for lots of clothing. Apart from clean underwear, I went home in the same clothes I'd arrived in! Take a couple of pairs of PJs with you, and have another pair at home for partner to bring in and rotate them around as they need washing.

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Hannabee123 · 27/11/2017 21:00

I was thinking of just some loose and comfies like leggings and baggy tops and a huge nighty. Some comfy socks and massive knickers 😂

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DeadDoorpost · 27/11/2017 21:08

I was advised today by a friend to take a water bottle with a squirty top for when you pee after birth. Fill it with water and use it to dilute the urine when you go. Because I can imagine it stinging like hell

Original poster

Hannabee123 · 27/11/2017 21:32

I have some super soft flushable toilet wipes. Someone I know says it helps rather than using dry horrible tissue when your fanny is sore and angry!!

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RidingMyBike · 28/11/2017 08:42

The MWs wanted to see how much pee you'd done after the birth (had to collect initial pees in a cardboard thing) so I don't think you could dilute it then. TBH I was really worried about it stinging and being sore when I wiped but it didn't - and that's after two tears and an episiotomy!

Original poster

Hannabee123 · 28/11/2017 08:53

I'm not going to take anything apart from the wipes. My friend had forceps and said the cool wipe was a massive relief instead of some rough toilet paper.
Things I've thought of are a travel towel which I need to pinch off my partner then I just need to pack clothes and snacks. I can't think of anything else

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