Hospital bag-what am I missing?

[DannyWallace]

Hi all

Can I have you recommendations for what to put in my hospital bag?
I'm going in to be induced this weekend, and I'm well aware that it can take a while. So, I have a few days of comfy clothes, plus a few pairs of PJs/nighties (incase c-section, kept in for a while). I've also got some toiletries (shampoo, conditioner, soap, moisturiser, brush, bobbles, face wipes, Vaseline)
For baby-nappies, cotton wool, a few vests and baby grows. I'm planning on BF, but the hospital provide formula if it's needed.
Plus a few T-shirt's/underwear for DH and snacks. Just incase it's busy I'll bring in my birthing ball too.
The car seat will be in the car.

The hospital is 2 hours away from our house so we won't just be able to nip home if we've forgotten anything, but there are shops close by.
Am I missing anything obvious?

Blankets?

Blanket for the baby. I didn't bring one. Think I've watched too much telly and have seen the baby wrapped in hospital blankets. My hospital asked for the baby blanket and we didn't have one 😬 they did locate us one tho!

A towel. Hospital ones are tiny and scratchy!

Magazines/wordsearch/book/iPad for you and dh - it can be very dull!

Towels for yourself, the ones you get are like scratchy little hankies.
I took disposable pants in the biggest size as it's just easier to bin them when you leak than taking washing home, especially if you have to stay in.
Another pack of pads, you need more than you think
Spritz for bits- it's amazing and smells lovely.
A water bottle to tip water over your broken fanjo while you pee.
Cellular blanket for baby.
Breast pads/nipple cream/nursing bras/a button front nightie
Waterwipes (so much easier for meconium than cotton wool)
A foldable changing mat for changing baby on the bed.
Loads of snacks and an iPad pre loaded with loads of things to watch! Induction is long, painful and boring.
Take slippers/flip flops as you need to walk around in induction to bring you on.
Muslins
Hairdryer
Dressing gown.
Pack a spare bag at home with extra clothes for you all in case of having to stay in. I did and ended up being in for a week so DH just ran in grabbed it and nothing was forgotten!

Nobody has mentioned a toothbrush and toothpaste yet! Also more than a few baby outfits. We flew through our 6 in one day. Babies are messy! And lots of breast pads, when your milk comes in it flows.

Ear plugs, ear phones and an eye mask. Being on the antenatal ward was a bit of an experience in itself and blocking out other (annoying) people was a vital part of keeping me sane.

Hot water bottle.

Im 37 weeks and have my bag partially packed lol. Knowing I could deliver at any time.

Just adding...lots of change for vending machine/parking. I don't know about other hospitals but here parking is only free once you're in active/established labour, before that you have to pay.

Lots of snacks & drinks.

Camera if you have one (I'm taking a disposable) can always use phone.

Make sure you have clothes that are comfortable to lay in bed and walk around in, with easy breastfeeding access eg Nighties or pyjamas that button down, nursing singlets, pyjama pants or track pants. Also i packed some nice goats milk soap as a personal treat for after labor, that first shower was heavenly (even though I nearly fainted).
I recommend packing enough for the minimum time you expect to stay if all goes well (at my hospital a straightforward birth has you sent home between 4 hours and 48 hours), but having a bag at home with more things for you and baby should you need to stay longer.
Saves DH from rummaging through your clothes and picking up clothes that fit pre-pregnancy but won't fit now.

Ear plugs, essential
Eye mask, essential, the lights are never fully off
Slippers
Dressing gown
Towels
Feeding cushion, leave in car and dh can bring it in after the birth
I was inhospital for a month after giving birth. There is very little storage so don't bring tonnes of stuff bring what you need for 3 days and pack more of everything separately in a bag in the car for dh to bring in if you are still in hospital then. For my long stay I also had my hair dryer, kindle and snacks but dh just Brough that in as I needed it.

Flip flops you can keep on in the shower, also I found a notepad and pen useful for writing lists for dh of stuff to bring in etc

More snacks and drinks, you cannot have too many. Pringles and cartons of juice.

I wish I'd had nipple shields with me - baby couldn't latch without them, shops were shut and hospital won't provide them. They're only a few pounds so worth grabbing a pair to put in your bag.
When I was induced I had a couple of baths on the ward and I just really wanted bubble bath! You can't have it after your waters go though.
Also if this is your first, way more baby clothes and baby blankets than you think. We'd never changed nappies before so had lots of poo explosions before we figured it out.
Make sure husband knows where everything is in your bag.
Not sure if anyone has said hospital notes? I did hypnobirthing so brought the book, some music and my aromatherapy burner. Friends who'd had epidurals laughed at me but actually I honestly believe it helped me get into labour without all the interventions.
Good luck!

Yes, to flip flops in the shower, ear plugs and eye mask.

Ear phones if you want to watch something (drown others out).

Biscuits - not as melty as choc.

Anti-bac wipes. Looking at you bed table / toilet.

Pillows. Just cheap ones are fine, in a non-white pillow case.

@hollywhiskey
Ooh yes, music and aromatherapy are a must during labor.
Check if your hospital delivery suite provides something though.
My local hospital provided a CD player/radio and a diffuser, and you could bring your own oils, but they had Lavendar and Clary Sage already.
I brought my own bluetooth speaker and put a playlist together of relaxing/empowering music.
The oils and the music helped a LOT.