Hospital bags - what to pack?

[Bambi29]

What essentials do I need to pack for my hospital bag? I've had a Google but honestly the lists seem endless and I doubt I really need half the stuff!! At this rate I'll be rocking up to the Labour ward with more luggage than Louis Vuitton!!

I've signed up for the hospital ante natal classes but I didn't know there was such a thing as private ones!! To be honest I can't see me spending money on them but I will do some more research myself and put some effort into writing a plan. I very much got the impression that they just glanced at it then did what they wanted anyway but maybe if it's well thought out and detailed they will pay attention! Thanks :)

They're not the cheapest but I think worthwhile, and if you are struggling financially I know you can get discount for NCT classes, not sure about any others. Some doulas also do private birth prep but I don't think it would be worth the expense of that in your situation to be honest.

I wrote a list of what I actually used to help me pack next time:

handbag stuff
/Purse
/Phone
/Charger & power pack
/Maternity notes

clothes
/Nighties (big)
/Socks
/Slippers
/Nursing bras
/Maternity leggings
/Coming home clothes

Toilet bag (packed separately in bag so easy to grab and shuffle to loo with)
/Lactulose
/Germoloids
/maternity Pads (2 packs)
/big Knickers

other toiletries
/Nipple cream
/Wash bag
/Dark towel
/Eye mask
/Ear plugs

baby
/Baby bag (Nappies, cotton wool pads, wipes, clothes, blanket)

food
I also really needed my Lucozade sport (flat with sucky top) and found Soreens the best snack for me. I wouldn’t have wanted DH to be nipping off to get snacks.

Get your OH to unpack & repack everything so they know where everything is.

The one thing I would have added is a flannel. Wet paper towels to mop my brow during labour wasn’t quite the same...

The one thing I wouldn’t do without is the lactulose. Made my post-birth poo totally uneventful.

Also: the more you write, the less people read (as the obs&gynae consultant told me).

My birth preferences were two short columns. One with ticks (open to all pain relief options, skin to skin, vitamin K injection, breastfeeding), one with crosses (forceps).

Change of clothes, two nighties and leggings for me, slippers, underwear ( loads), toiletries and maternity pads.
Three sets for baby of vests, grows, mittens, hats and a proper outfit
Towels for me and baby.
Blankets
Nappies and wipes.
Phone charger

Just that little. Lot took a small case.but it's all in one

Plus a bag, with formula and drinks for me and dp. Snacks well. Use Vending machine if needed

I took way too much. Take toiletries, cosmetics if you wish, going home outfit, pyjamas, a fan (trust me, those wards get hot) two clothes for baby, nappies and wipes- it really is all you need

gryffen free lucozade?!