Hospital Bag Advice

[VixenAndCub]

Hi guys.

So I'm hitting 36 weeks tomorrow and still haven't got a hospital bag together since I moved house.
I've googled what I should bring (since my midwife hasn't mentioned it or given me a list) and it seems huge! Am I expected to bring a suitcase?

I want to travel light if I can, my partner and I can't drive so we'll be relying on a taxi when the big day arrives.

What do you guys really recommend for a hospital bag? I feel like if I pack EVERYTHING on these Google searches and not need them it'll be annoying. Not like I'm going on holiday! 😆

Why don’t you pack for 24 hours and do a second bag that your partner can bring in the following day if you need it.

Oh gosh, are the lists really that big?! I'm 10 weeks behind you (26 today) so not really thought about it too much yet but I was thinking I just need to get myself a little holdall or gym bag 🙈

Something to give birth in
Pyjamas for after
Slippers
Shampoo conditioner
Body wash
Toothbrush toothpaste
Hairbrush
Nappies and babywipes
Vests babygrows
Baby hat and mittens
Blanket
Clothes for home for baby
Car seat
And any things that are going to keep you entertained in labour. All I can think of off the top of my head. Hope this helps x

I am 39+ weeks and I've a suitcase packed and it was a tight squeeze!! Maybe I've to much I don't no lol x oh and also forgot to mention maternity pads and big knickers for after the birth x

I had couple of nightshirts (before and after) nibbles and treats for dp and I (could be there a while) magazines, toiletries, fluffy socks, few grows/suits and warmwear for baby, maternity pads. Oils for your pads encase of tears/cut etc. Good luck OP ☺️

And to you @mumm321

It really depends on what you like but I can say I didn’t use a hair brush, my make up bag, shampoo/conditioner or anything like that on myself. I have long hair and just bunged it in a bun, I couldn’t be bothered . I also didn’t wear pjs just had a few night dresses as easy for feeding and some leggings which I wore home.

Most important things are

Your notes
Vests, babygrow and hats for baby
Cotton blanket for baby
Nappies and cotton wool and/or wipes

Comfy T-shirt/leggings/long nightdress for labouring (hospital will have gowns too if you need them)

Comfy bra, feeding bras if using

Big pants and maternity pads

Towels of your own and pillows-hospital s are always low on these!

Hair bands if you use them

Lip balm

Bring a water bottle and some light, easy to eat high energy foods.

Also get whoever is going to be main birth partner to repack everything so they know where everything is-saves the mad search through the bag for every little thing!

Good luck😊 x

I packed:

Two primark button up nighties (wore 1)
4 newborn baby gros, used 2
Pack of nappies (used)
Hairbands (used)
Travel sized shampoo conditioner showergel (used)
Wet wipes (used)
Aromatherapy oils (not used)
Arnica tablets (used)
Hairbrush (used)
Slippers (used)
Dressing gown (used)
Phone and charger with playlist on it (used)
Bikini (used)
Soft towel for baby (not used)
Soft towel for me (used)
Leggings and tshirt for going home (used)
Maternity pads (used)
Massive black pants x5 (used 2)
Nursing bra (didn't use)
Birth plan (didn't use!)
Emergency formula and bottles (didn't use)
Snacks and Ribena drinks (used)
Headphones (didn't use)
Usual deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste (used)

Packed in a wheelie suitcase. My husband put a sleeping bag and pillow in the boot
For him in case and had a seperate bag for toothbrush, clothes, charger, snacks etc for him.

Yes, and lip balm!! Lips get very dry using gas and air.

Oh, and I hired a TENS machine. Would highly recommend.

There is nothing like that first shower after with lovely smelling stuff, and I'm really not usually a person that uses posh stuff like that, I'm a soap and vosene person usally, but I was pleased my mum bought me some nice stuff as it was so nice to close my eyes and smell the nice smells! My mum actually packed my bag for me as a baby shower present and it was great to not think about it.

One thing I regretted not packing was a towel for my hair I washed it and then couldn't dry it properly as my other towel got blood on and then hospital wouldn't provide one also pack snacks for after as your likely be starving and you might miss meal times at the hospital xx

Water bottle with a sports cap so you can douse yourself as you wee. Cannot stress how much of a difference this made to me. (assuming you are having a vaginal birth... but water good to have anyway).

Earplugs. Maternity wards are VERY LOUD.

Also muslin squares. Useful for just about everything.

...post birth, obvs!

This has been a huge help, thank you everyone!!

I'm actually having pains now as we speak, been going on all week so maybe I should hustle to get that bag together 😆

I have tried to fit everything In a little carry on case for me and another for the baby and it doesn't fit. Rather than add another travel bag should I just put it all in a big case? My husband thinks there won't be room by the bed in the ward for big case???

I took my own pillow. Was lovely

I packed a bag for me, a bag for the babies and a snack bag/bag for husband.

Top tip: take fybogel and o.j. no one needs to strain after that. Someone can bring this in the next day

Another top tip: I put a pile of things in case we had to stay in on the spare bed. A pile for me and a pile for.the babies so I could say to dh bring this or that and he would know where it was

I recommend a phone charger with a long cord. That was probably the most useful item I had. I also took in snacks, maternity pads, nighties, dressing gown/slippers. I took big knickers (high waisted in case of c section). I fit everything for me into a small carry on case and baby’s stuff went into her changing bag. I had the perfect amount of stuff for us for a 2 day/1 night stay. My husband brought in more things when that stay turned into 4 nights.

Maternity pads and big pants
Leggings, joggers or pjs and comfy tops
Dry shampoo
Toothpaste
Flip flops or slippers

Nappies
Baby clothes, hats, mittens etc
Formula if you choose

Snacks and plenty of drinks unless you want to pay inflated hospital prices.

I had a second bag in the car with more clothes for me and baby which was needed as I ended up staying in for 4 days.

I just packed a backpack when I was in labour. Clothes for 24 hours, maternity pads, toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, phone charger, book. Couple of baby sleepsuits, vests, pack of nappies, wipes, blanket.

I’m 36 weeks tommorow too :) this is DC2, I remember with DC1 just taking tons and tons of baby clothes and we were home the same day! I haven’t seen this item mentioned yet but straws, sounds random but when things get going if your thirsty trying to hold a drink isn’t easy, much easier for someone to hold a straw for you!

Pack two bags, one with enough things for 24 hours and a second that partner can bring if you need to stay longer in hosp.

Definitely a towel in addition to usual things - the hospital I was in with DS failed to rustle one up & after 2 days I had to send DH home to get one! My stitches then got infected which I partly attribute to the fact that I didn't have a shower for 2 days after birth.

Flip flops not slippers so you can wear in shower ( and wash blood off them).

Does anyone know how soon after caesarean you can shower?

You can generally shower as soon as you are up and steady enough once anaesthetic and block has worn off. You’ll probably be actively encouraged too once your mobile as dressings should generally come off after 24 hrs and shower helps!

However if you have an iv in that you still need keep that as dry as possible so you don’t have to worry about it coming out!