Hospital bag anything you wish you'd taken?

[Htaylor182]

This is what I have so far. I packed an awful lot with my first and was home within 4 hrs and basically didn't get to even use it. Only 33 weeks but sis in law due same time as me has gone into early labour so its given me a kick up the butt just incase something does happen. Plan on getting the rest of the stuff tomorrow as I can hardly walk now so don't want to leave it too late. Is there anything you wished you taken, or that came in handy? How many outfits, nappies etc did you take for baby?

Towel
Swim top
Nightie x 2
Birth plan maternity notes
Oil
Magazine/ipad
Water/drinks for partner too
Light snacks for partner too
Birth ball
Breast pads
Spritz for bitz
Dressing gown
Pjs
Slippers /socks
Lip balm /deodrant/makeup
Makeup wipes
Ear plugs/eye mask
Toothbrush and paste
Maternity pads
Underwear
Mat Bras
Lounge clothes
Phone charger

Baby
Nappies
Water wipes
Sacks
Hat
Blanket
Baby grows
Sleepsuits
Mits
Bibs/Muzzys
Pre made formula
Going home outfit
Carseat

Deodorant!

My ward was constantly about 24 degrees, and you’re sweaty anyway loosing all that extra fluid.

I had to text my sister to get her to bring in a roll on

A flannel because wet paper towels just didn't cut it for me

I was debating whether to post the above or not as thought I was probably being silly asking as there's tonnes of answers on Google. But this is exactly why!! Just the simple things that you forget thankyou!

I was going to say slippers but you’re already there!

Flip flops for the disgusting showers.

More juice boxes for during delivery. I took 3, DH had 1 I needed at least 2 more.

Flip flops for when you go and have a shower, nappy bags, water spritz for your face, cardigan for baby when going home instead of a heavy snowsuit which is advised against using when in the car seat. Laundry bag for any dirty clothes. X

Food. Food. More food.
I was starving after delivery, and although I was only 3 hours of waiting until breakfast on the ward(which was horrible and barely a full meal) and a further few hours before any hospital shop was open, my body so badly needed nourishment. Thankfully I had some biscuits in my bag but that didn't quite cut it tbh.
My mouth was so dry too, so think about what food is best for you. Ie, not dry crackers....

Also, moat wards have a birth ball, maybe worth calling to check as it will save you a lot of space

Take lucazade tablets for during labour. They are a god send. Such a boost of much needed energy and I used them afterwards also.

I wouldn’t take a birthing ball. They will have one of those.

Agree with food. I was starving. They didn’t have much food, well any food for me as I’m vegetarian. Snacks and drinks, or get your partner to take them in when they visit you.

Definitely more food. Pringles and tuc biscuits because the salt is nice to replace those sweated out during labour. You get sick of sweet stuff.

Maybe headphones for your phone or ipad? I had an audiobook and a few albums loaded and appreciated it lying in hospital bed breast feeding/holding baby in the middle of the night.
Agree with food and juice.

I've been told to take a sterilized bottle and pre made milk, on the basis you are shattered so is the baby and yrying to get them to the breast feed isn't always successful p. So rather than everyone getting stressed if doesn't work, bottle feed your baby and then try later.

I'm making sure my fella has plenty of data as he's football mad & will wanting to be checking scores and any live feeds 😉

Good luck

You might need a towel for baby if you stay in long enough to give him/her a bath. Certainly some soft flannels and cotton wool rather than wipes.

I needed flip flops for the showers and more reading material as I stayed in 5 days for both births.

Food!!! Then take some more. And drink.

Glad baby is on the list of things to take home :) (I know it's just a heading, but the thought made me laugh).

First time round I didnt get round to taking a bag. Things I missed the most were clean pants and sanitary pads.
This time round I plan to be more organised. Will also definitely bring an energy drink. I didn't really feel like eating when I was in labour, but needed an energy boost.

Squash and biscuits.

I found that gas and air really made my throat dry and water alone didn't cut it. I took a bottle of ribena to add to the water jug.

A blanket for the baby, they didn't have any on the ward!

Food.

They won't feed you and even if they do it won't be when you are actually hungry and it won't be enough.

Cereal bars, apples, individually wrapped pastries, flapjack, juice cartons, raisin boxes etc.

Hair bobble

Much more pairs of knickers than I thought (I had to send dh out for them) and make them huge in case you end up with a c section

You’ve got a good list there! I wore a necklace given to me from DH all the time, after delivery and positioning baby up on my chest I was conscious baby may have been pressing on it di took it off, it got lost never to be seen again, so if you wear anything like that take it off at home, good luck!

Flip flops for showers

lavender oil (but only because I had to stay in for 3 days and had stitches, use the oil in the bath)

Flannel to help keep me cool

A straw ( I couldn't drink out of a glass as I was induced and in agony so a straw came in very handy)

You may think they are random but they are my personal extra items, my labour was long and hard let's hope yours is fast and easy xoxo good luck

Some big old Tena Lady pants. I had an epidural and was full on peeing myself left right and centre for a few days after delivery because I had lost sensation in pelvic muscles temporarily. Would have felt so much less embarrassed if I'd had a few Tena pants available. Had to send DH out for a pack, the final humiliation after all the indignity of birth, lol

Agree no to birth ball as they have them (do they actually help some people??? I couldn’t stand sitting down during contractions!)

Lots of yummy food/ snacks. We lived off Percy pigs for two days when DD was born!

A lot more decent food! Both times i missed several meals due to long labour, then back on ward at 10pm ish with baby. Had to wait til 8am for breakfast, absolutely ravenous! Literally faint with hunger, having only one glorious Snickers bar to see me through !