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Original poster

Hospital bag advice

62 replies

AliceRR · 21/12/2018 15:09

I’m nearly 33 weeks, due on 10 Feb

When should I aim to have a hospital bag ready for?

And what should I take?

So far on my list:

Change of clothes for me, something comfy
Pyjamas or a night shirt (what does one wear to give birth??)
Underwear
Sanitary towels?
Breast pads?
Bottles of water

Baby nappies and wipes (I plan to use reus) a how many?
A couple of vest and a couple of sleep suits in newborn for baby
Do I need a bottle if I plan to breastfeed
Blanket
Car seat obviously

I’ve also read to take:
Snacks
A squirts my water bottle to use for the first time I pee!
A book or tablet or something...

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Mesmeri · 21/12/2018 16:47

In my experience, you don't really need very much stuff, and a big/multiple bags can be a nuisance (you don't have much/any space for putting excess luggage, and you may have to move location several times).

If you're not in for long, you won't need much. If you have to stay longer, you'll have plenty of opportunities to ask people to bring you stuff, and you'll have a better idea of what you need.

I'm due to have my 4th at the beginning of January. I will take a small backpack containing:

my medical paperwork
phone & charger
basic toiletries
small change for the vending machine disposable knickers & extra pads
flip flops.

That's about it, I think. I'll wear hospital gowns while I'm in there. I'll also prepare (but leave at home, in a really obvious place) the baby carseat plus baby's and my going home clothes for DH to bring in when we're getting discharged.

RogueV · 21/12/2018 19:12

I’ve put some Anusol in my bag.

Original poster
AliceRR · 21/12/2018 19:27

googling anusol

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Lynne425 · 22/12/2018 07:34

@AliceRR my due date is 10th Feb too ☺️☺️

Love reading this post as it's helped me pack too as I'm a FTM and had no clue what to pack xxx

TerriB84 · 22/12/2018 11:46

Make sure you pack at least 2 hats for the baby as they will put one on straight after birth to keep baby warm and before they’ve been cleaned up so it will get a bit mucky!

Original poster
AliceRR · 22/12/2018 15:58

@Lyne245 Oh wow! 😃

I know, I feel silly having no clue 🙈

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Original poster
AliceRR · 22/12/2018 15:59

I suppose I will need maternity notes as well

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ChocolateStash · 22/12/2018 16:06

I'd get your OH to prepare a small bag for themselves with a change of clothes, wash bag, snacks, drinks . They may be there longer than they expect. Keep a spare charger for the phone in the bag. Keep enough change for parking and enough fuel for travel. Numbers for labour ward and your personal patient number for hospital reference. Button up cotton nighties for labour and skin to skin. You could set up a pre-prepared group text for when baby arrives.

Since2016 · 22/12/2018 17:07

I also wouldn’t bring the car seat. You may be moved around and it’s a royal faff if so. Just wait until you’re ready to go home and send DH to get it - there’s really not much room even if you end up in a side room.

Original poster
AliceRR · 22/12/2018 17:22

I was going to leave the car seat in the car until we need it so not necessarily taking up space in the hospital ward but makes sense to bring it for us as we’re no they close to the hospital. About a half hour drive now but we might have moved before baby is born and we will be a bit further!

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Original poster
AliceRR · 26/12/2018 21:30

I’ve just gone through all these replies again to make a list on my phone (I can only see a certain number of my last posts “I’m on” and then I’m worried I won’t be able to find it again!

My mother told me yesterday she thinks baby will come soon based on how my bump looks so said pack a bag! She thinks I’m big and bump has dropped. I think she’s being dramatic but I am nearly 34 w now so seems like a good time plus I’m looking to get the last few bits I need in the sale if I can

Seems so real to be at the bag packing stage!

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mynameisMrG · 26/12/2018 21:38

A flannel, some straws and lip balm. Those were a godsend for me when I was in labour.

Labour wards are so hot my DH just kept the flannel ice cold and on my forehead, the straws so I could take sips of water while in any position and the lip balm as my lips were so dry from the gas and air.

Everything else on your list looks pretty good.

KimchiLaLa · 26/12/2018 21:46

Slippers and flip flops for the maternity ward- flip flops for the showers!!

PleaseLetMummySleep · 26/12/2018 22:20

Don't take reusables for the hospital - you may be in for 3 days and the wards are roasting. Baby sh!t cooking in a bag for 3 days will be 🤮🤢 and I don't think the others on the ward will thank you for it! Def take disposables for the hospital and keep your reusables for at home 👍🏼

Good luck!

Original poster
AliceRR · 26/12/2018 22:24

Thanks! Flip flops are on my list now as is lip balm! Straws are a good idea too. I think I will just take disposable nappies

OP posts:
user1471426142 · 27/12/2018 14:32

I wish I’d had a spare bag packed with extras for my husband to bring in. I will do that this time around. I was in for 4 days and bled very heavily so got through clothes quickly. I looked a right state as he didn’t really know what to pack. When we finally left, the only things I had left that were clean and fitted were pyjamas and a vest top so I had to leave the hospital wearing that. This does not seem to be uncommon! I’ve heard of women being brought in thongs and other non-sensible things for post labour.

Original poster
AliceRR · 27/12/2018 15:17

I wish I’d had a spare bag packed with extras for my husband to bring in

That’s an idea but mire bags to pack! I might at least put some things to one side in case he needs to bring them in 🤔

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PleaseLetMummySleep · 27/12/2018 16:33

Oh also the ward floors and wardrobes are so filthy, I'm glad I used a big Aldi bag for life reusable bag thing rather than a posh hold-all or rucksack. No point in taking a designer bag, you need to leave it lying about and prob a high chance of it getting nicked.

Original poster
AliceRR · 27/12/2018 22:42

No point in taking a designer bag, you need to leave it lying about and prob a high chance of it getting nicked.

That’s good to know. I did wonder about this.

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PleaseLetMummySleep · 28/12/2018 06:57

Yeh I'd want to machine wash any bag afterwards as the floors were honestly disgusting and it would have picked up so many germs lying around any hospital, so glad I just used a big supermarket bag as I just binned it after. In my main bag I had my notes, enough stuff for me and baby for 1 day plus my toiletries, phone charger etc

I had another 2 bags (also supermarket bags!) packed at home for my DH to bring in each morning in case I was in for 3 days. Each had a change of clothes for me, clean PJs, 3 vests+babygros for baby, more snacks, plus about 12 nappies and a pack of wipes. To be honest he just put all 3bags in the car and the 2 extra ones lived there as he was worried he'd forget them if I left them at home.

I wouldn't have needed water as my hospital had cold water on tap and ice, and they also provided straws. Also wouldn't have needed formula or bottles as our hospital supplied it.

SnuggyBuggy · 28/12/2018 07:04

If you plan to breastfeed pack a tube of lanolin

TinyMarie · 28/12/2018 07:12

I'm due one day before you @AliceRR and someone told me the other day that my bump has dropped too.
I'm also packing my bag in case of an early arrival!

Jent13c · 28/12/2018 10:10

Definitely good idea to have a chat with anyone you know that's had a baby there so you can see what hospital provide. Also depends if you are a minimalist type person or super organised type who likes everything to hand. I personally didn't take much stuff and even then had far too much. I had 1 night induction then 2 post natal. Packed everything in one hold all.

Mum
3 x pjs (personally not a nightie person, always found it easiest to just lift whatever top up feeding, but also had a henley style pj top)
1 pack of large black cheapo pants
1 spare nursing bra.
Wore leggings, t shirt and sports bra for birth then a hospital gown.
Toiletries (I had shower every day so took small shampoo, body wash, deodorant)
If you are a contact lense wearer get some dailies, dont want to faff about with solution.
Phone charger.
No need for breast pads until milk comes in (usually day 3) and my hospital provided maternity pads (much better ones than you can buy).

Baby
One newborn set (I had m and s one, had about 3 vests, 2 baby grows and a comfy going home outfit). Oh and a hat.
Small pack of size 1 nappies. (At first you will change it literally every time you see the line go blue so maybe about 10 times a day?)
My hospital provided little bags of cotton wool and a plastic dish for water. Try and take the little plastic bowl home if you can, they are v handy.
I didn't take any milk in, the first night the midwife helped me express into a syringe and then he fed fine. I doubt that the hospital would let the baby go hungry in their care so I'm sure if you decided not to feed they would provide a bottle to let your DH nip out and get what's needed.
Nice blanket for over the car seat when going home/for taking nicer photos.
I wouldnt have done it the first time but I would definitely take a sterilised dummy in if I was going again.
I had about 12 muslin cloths on recommendation from everyone and I've literally never used one. I'm still not even sure what they are for!

Original poster
AliceRR · 28/12/2018 11:05

Oh gosh. I am a bit of a germaphobe anyway. I went to the assessment unit a few weeks ago and was annoyed when I saw DH had put my handbag on the hospital floor!

If you are a contact lense wearer get some dailies, dont want to faff about with solution

I am a contact lens wearer. I actually wear dailies anyway but it didn’t occur to me to put lenses or glasses on my list!!

I think leaving extra stuff in the car is a good idea. I suppose I could leave baby’s bag in the car too ‘til she arrives.

I honestly don’t know what my hospital provides. They do a “stork walk” and I had hoped to go but apparently they’re full up which is v annoying as no one had told me about it ‘til my friend who went on 23rd December. She’s due after me but she might have some useful info

Thanks again ladies. I have a few more bits added to my list!

Think I will start washing baby clothes this weekend.

I need some baby hats from the sounds of it, something I didn’t think to get!

OP posts:
PleaseLetMummySleep · 28/12/2018 11:38

Your midwife will tell you what the hospital provide. Mine had an a4 print out with what they provide and a suggested packing list. All hospitals are different but the local midwifes will know.