37+5 weeks and haven't packed my hospital bag! :O What will I need?

[birthofawoman]

The fact that I JUST completed and submitted my last ever university assignment (3rd year student so was completing a very long, tedious, theoretically-dense dissertation) combined with a "hunch" that he'll "probably be late" (FTM) means that [dare I say it] I've not even started packing my hospital bag!

Experiencing pregnancy whilst being in my 3rd year of university has been a huge challenge, as university demanded so much of my time/energy/attention... which is why I haven't packed this bag yet! Very foolish, I know!

Anyway, I'm looking for tips, tricks and general advice: what will I need in this bag?

Just to add, I'll be in the birthing centre and [hopefully - if all goes to plan] having a water birth. Will also be receiving intravenous antibiotics due to group b strep (which I may be more nervous about than the actual labour - never had an IV before! 😱). Also, was wondering if anyone used any kind of energy sweets that they found useful? I can't seem to find those Lucozade ones anywhere anymore!

Thanks in advance! 😊

I got the energy gels from the health food shop. The ones that runners and cyclist use and found they really helped.

If you have long hair then some hair bands.

Your own big towel.

Music

Comfortable pjs

Phone charger

With the baby things I packed them in little plastic bags..so a vest, grow and hat together so DH didn't have to rummage looking for a set

Comfy pants

Big pads. Proper post birth ones.

General toiletries

There are lots of videos on YouTube with women showing what they have packed in their hospital bag, you might find some of them helpful if you now have time to watch them!
Congratulations on the final assignment, I am studying part time for a Masters whilst working full time and in the third trimester so I feel your pain!

Big cotton pants (dark colour) and plenty of maternity pads; I took 2 packs. Flip flops (I don't like slippers and the wards are so hot). Hair ties and lip balm. I packed separate bags for me and baby (used his changing bag) and DH had his own too with some snacks and charger etc. Lots of change for car parking and vending machines. I am sure there is more but that is just off the top my head.

I would recommend packing a small "essentials" bag with an energy drink, lip balm, TENS machine, nappy, babygro, blanket and phone charger in case of a really quick labour, then packing more 'overnight' stuff for you and the baby in a bigger suitcase and leaving it in the car.

My labour went so quickly that we left the car parked in the emergency drop off point and DP didn't have time to go and get the bags until several hours after DS was born and I was out of theatre! We then stayed in hospital for 5 days so I was grateful for the bigger "just in case" bag that I packed.

Good luck!

You want two bags. One for you, one for baby. Nothing worse than scrabbling for a new babygrow or a nappy only to find your hairbrush and some maternity pads.

Dark pjs, cheap slippers, lots of big compfy maternity pads, snacks, drinks, toiletries and hair bits, treats, going home clothes for you, lots of clothes for baby, a nice blanket for them to be wrapped in for photos, nappies, wipes, hats, layers for the trip home, charger. That lot will get you by no problem, anything else is a bonus.

Travel size toiletries are good, way less bulky.

Thanks, everyone, for your helpful responses! I've just ordered a bunch of 'naturacare' cotton maternity pads online (can't use conventional ones because they really irritate my vulval skin!)

Happygummibear how many of those energy gels do you reckon I'd need? I think the plastic bag idea is great, so I'll definitely do that!

Bluebirdsky thanks so much! Wow, you're a champ - makes my situation sound like a breeze! Good luck with completing your Masters! 😊

MrsL2016 I definitely plan to take flip-flops rather than slippers because, you're right, the ward was very stuffy during the tour we were given!

Thanks again, everyone (even those o haven't personally responded to)!