Hospital Bag

[Cat12321]

Hoping for some guidance here please!

I'm 33 weeks pregnant and pretty clueless what to pack in my hospital bag.

I've got breast pads and maternity pads so far. I know to pack some big knickers, pjs, clothes to go home in and a couple of baby grows.

Is there anything that I'm missing?

Thanks! :)

I obsessed over hospital bags and packed far too much stuff.

These days they often try and get you home again in a few hours after you have given birth. What you will need depends on what kind of place you are giving birth at.

You need something comfortable to give birth in and something comfortable to wear/ sleep in afterwards that is suitable for breastfeeding if that's what you choose to do. Your make up bag, hair clips and a hairbrush, toothbrush and some travel size toiletries.

You need pads for the bleeding.

Obviously the baby needs something to wear and nappies.

I also took some snack bars and a water bottle which I was very glad of afterwards.

Then phone and phone charger.

I would then pack a separate bag with more nappies/change of clothes/extras for both of you etc to leave in the car in case it's needed.

Id suggest a lip balm too. Maternity wards are so hot and i always ended up with cracked sore lips. And maybe one of them little cordials you can buy. I dont know what there called but theres only so much water i could drink before i was going mad lol.

Drinks and snacks. We were delayed getting home by over a day due to the hospital being very busy so take more than one simple change of clothes. Also, I recommend taking shower stuff and own towel, maternity mat for car seat on way home, carrier bags for dirty clothes, magazines, phone charger and flip flops.

I'd take more clothes than you think that you'll need, slippers and more baby clothes that you think that you'll need.
People say take loads of body/make up products, but there's no way that you'll feel like applying your eyeliner and moisturising.

I've got...

Toiletries bag with travel sized products/hair brush etc
Pyjamas
Flip flops
Jogging bottoms/t shirt
Big pants/clean bra
Maternity pads
Breast pads
Phone charger

Then 3 x vests and 3 x onesies for baby
Coming home outfit
Hat
Nappies/cotton wool
Ready made bottles

Oh and a towel!

Will take drinks and snacks too but they will go in DH's bag

Baby needs vests AND sleepsuits, and a cotton hat to wear indoors. Take more than 3 -they poo and vomit! Plus a cardi and a blanket to sleep under in hospital and to put over the car seat to go home.

I was really glad I had makeup and toiletries, those plus a hot shower with my own big soft towel helped me feel human again after giving birth. Also pack snacks and drinks in case you give birth late at night or miss the hospital mealtimes. And I had a selfie light to help take decent baby photos with my phone.

Top tip: freeze bottles of water to take with you, they'll stay cold all day. Lucozade is great to drink during a long tiring labour.

You need
Towel
Phone
Charger
Clothes and nappies for baby
Toiletries
Pyjamas
Underwear
Pads
Maternity notes
Food and drinks
And that's it, don't bother with pointless things like magazines, pillows, massage oils. All useless.
Once labour starts a pillow isn't going to make you comfortable. I took a hell of a lot of useless stuff and it just got in the way. I took books thinking I was going to read. I didnt. I slept until the doctor woke me and told me I could go home

I read two magazines and half a book so didn’t see those as pointless - these sort of things are definitely down to preference.

I forgot to add dressing gown. I had a lightweight jersey one for both my labours/and overnight stays and found it worth having.

Well this is it isn't it, what you need massively depends on what kind of birth you have and how long you stay.

I packed a hospital bag as if I was having an overnight stay and had so much stuff on the back of threads like this.

In reality I arrived at the birthing centre at 9am in the morning, DD was born at lunchtime and we got chucked out early evening after all the checks etc had been done.

This time round I'm only going to take in what I need for a few hours and pack a separate bag with spare clothes and books etc for DP/ visitors to bring if it's needed.

Use Tena lady pull ups instead of maternity towels for first first few days- no unexpected leaks.

Disposable knickers - I lost so many big clots after birth last time that all knickers had to be binned. I was a mess.

I was also told not to wear thin sanitary towels as the plastic backing can make you more sore . Go for the horrible fat ones 😂

When I went in for my Anti D, the nurse said to definitely take a couple of bottles of lucozade in the bag to keep your electrolytes up.

Depends what kind of birth you have I think - I was induced and in hospital for 4 days so drinks, snacks and entertainment were very welcome.
I also took my own pillowcase for a bit of home comfort and if there is a next time will be taking my own mug as a piddly little plastic cup of tea just didn’t do the job.