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

Hospital bag? Help!

14 replies

Rebekah120517 · 27/11/2017 20:47

Hi.

Starting to pack our hospital bag. What advice would you give? Things that are needed? Things that just took up room? Things you would have packed that you didn’t?

Thank you

OP posts:
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happydays00 · 27/11/2017 20:59

I was induced, so my time in hospital was LONG but the things I was very pleased I had are:
Eye mask - those lights are bright
Pyjama bottoms - I walked round the hospital a lot and was glad I wasn't in a nightie
My own pillow
Headphones - to listen to my own music
Snacks and cordial to add to water
Massive, comfy underwear for afterwards
Plenty of maternity pads
Baby blanket for the little plastic cot
Shower gel/bath foam

Take enough nappies - we had to stay in and we ran out
Make sure you have practical and easy to put on outfits for your baby - we took one with poppers up the back and it just stressed me out!
My DD had to have a cannula in her hand and we didn't have an outfit that fitted over this very well!

Good luck!

YummyMummy247 · 28/11/2017 06:55

Hi @Rebekah120517

I would say all of the above altho this time round I will be packing cotton wool instead of baby wipes and my hospital preferred me to use them on baby's bum. But obviously that's your preference. Also plenty of baby grows and baby vests, mittens and possibly a little cotton hat.

As for you I would go for everything @happydays00 mentioned.

Along with comfy pj's
Dressing gown light one
Socks/ slippers
Loads of big knickers

I had to stay in hospital too so just plenty of bits for yourself clothes/pj size.
Also a brush which I forgot and bobbles.

If struggling look on the internet
Good Luck x

Kittysparks1 · 28/11/2017 08:04

I thought big knickers were granny pants. No, big knickers as in the ones that come up to your boobs and down half your leg. The most massive knickers you can find, 2 sizes bigger than usual.

I had emcs. I didn't have massive knickers. When they made me take the dressing off, my incision was positioned in the perfect place for my knickers to rub.

Otherwise, my labour bag didn't actually make it out of the car until after my baby arrived.

I didn't have enough blankets. And talking of blankets, we have loads of posh, thick, colourful, expensive blankets which are all useless.
Those £3 cheap cellular blankets are all you need trust me. Good for swaddling and layering. All his thick, beautiful blankets are still in his draw and have never been used and he is now 4 months old.

I ended up being kept in for a week so had to send the partner out for supplies. Make sure he knows where everything is at home.

Anything you forget you can send someone to buy anyway.

Good luck

Sunshinegirl82 · 28/11/2017 08:14

Lots of good tips already. I took my iPad with some box sets downloaded as if you're in a while it can get boring. Magazines were good too (I couldn't concentrate on a book)

I packed a small bag to take into the ward and then had extra bits in the car so DH could refresh stuff (extra nappies, wipes, clothes for us both etc) Worth popping to primark for knickers/pj bottoms that you aren't too fussed about, black or navy is best. A big black/dark towel is also useful for the first shower, the hospital ones are white and small!

I took both newborn and upto 1 month clothes (3 sets of each with more in the car) as I wasn't sure which would fit. Newborn was fine for but if he'd been an 8lb baby we'd have needed to go up. Also worth putting baby's first outfit (nappy, vest, sleep suit, hat) in a bag altogether somewhere easy so DH isn't ruffling through trying to find everything!

Vaseline for baby's bum (you put it on before the first poo and it stops the merconium sticking quite so much!)

Check the formula situation too. I planned to bf (and did get there eventually) but DS needed top ups initially as he was poorly. The newborn starter kits are really useful as formula is ready made and teats are pre sterilised so you just screw them on.

Good luck op!

Spam88 · 28/11/2017 09:48

Definitely take a nightie or two. I only took some button down shirts and leggings, but I ended up with a catheter after the birth, so I just had to wear a shirt with a blanket over my naked bottom half 👎 also you'll still look about 7 months pregnant afterwards so make sure the clothes you take are big! I couldn't button my shirts up over my tummy 🙈

Ofgreetingsandgoodbyes · 28/11/2017 09:53

Hair clips/ Kirby grips and a few hair bobbles! During labour your hair drives you mad on your face. I took a little tub with hair grips and bobbles in and it was a total godsend.

Ofgreetingsandgoodbyes · 28/11/2017 09:56

Also my kindle was a sanity saver both during induction and when I was kept in for a week after. Preloaded with a selection of books.

17caterpillars1mouse · 28/11/2017 09:56

I forgot to pack drinks and snacks and was then in hospital 3 days. I really wished i'd remembered them

nameshelpplease · 28/11/2017 10:04

Slippers or flip flops that you can just slide on without having to bend over.

Lots of maternity pads and a few changes of nighties or pyjamas (I leaked all over the bed after a couple of hours despite all the maternity pads!).

A pen and paper to note down when the baby feeds and does wet and dirty nappies and note down any important information.

Dark coloured towel. A nice soft sponge for a shower after the birth.

A few packs of cheap big pants which you can just throw away after use.

PeachesandPie · 28/11/2017 10:10

An extension lead! If you have to stay in it gets boring very quickly and the plugs are in ridiculous places so it's handy to be able to charge your phone, kindle etc.

Sunshinegirl82 · 28/11/2017 10:42

@peachesandpie good call on the extension lead!

BalloonDinosaur · 28/11/2017 13:33

I took a little battery fan as it's warmer than the surface of sun on the labour ward.
Isotonic drinks for actual labour as they were monitoring DS and I had to try and get him to move but forgot drinks and snacks weren't doing the trick!

TeamRocket · 28/11/2017 14:08

I had an EMCS 6 days ago with DS after 3 day induction, water bottles with sports caps were a godsend! Especially if you're being monitored, you will be on your back. DH attempted to give me a cup of iced water but instead chucked half of it down me Grin

Agree with the PP who said big cheap knickers-get then about 4 sizes up. I had loads of swelling in my legs and stomach after the section and could not get the knickers that I'd brought even over my legs!

Also, biscuits likes rich tea/ginger snaps were great during labour and contractions as DH could literally just feed them to me

dinosaurkisses · 28/11/2017 16:34

Someone on here recommended buying tena lady pants before I had DD- 100% would recommend! I used them for the first two days and nights and they were great. Really really absorbent and made me feel "secure" knowing that I wouldn't leak in front of my dad or FIL 😂

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