preparing for the birth

[Zmama]

Hi everyone!
I'm new to mumsnet and i was hoping i could get some advice on a few things?
Whats the best things to pack in a Hospital bag? and any of the must have essentials that i haven't thought of?
thanks guys!x

Ear plugs! If you have to stay in hospital then sleep is impossible with nurses moving about all night, other babies crying, people talking etc. Try them out before hand, you will be able to hear own baby as close but just blocks out some background noise

Flip flops to get to the showers etc. Cash for parking / vending machines potentially.

@beldon
Thankyou i didnt think of that one!

@twickerhun
Do you know if you could bring your own snacks etc or do yoy have to buy them at the hospital? And didnt think of flip flops, ive got slippers but not them
Thanks!

I've got a hand held fan with me and will pack a little watter spritz bottle. It will be roasting

Snax. I've got breakfast bars, nuts and some jelly sweets. Taking some isotonic tablets that I can add to water

Straws is a good one too.

X

Definitely take your own snacks, and I’d take a large water bottle. You should be given some food and drink but your birthing partner might need coffee or tea which might come from a vending machine.

My labours were never long enough to need snacks but I did appreciate them when trying to establish breastfeeding through the nights after birth.

3/4 loose button through nighties - good for breastfeeding and skin to skin regardless of feeding choice. Bringing a few is handy as they can get messy quick. Supermarket or primark are good for these
Massive full brief knickers! You will want to wear at least one large maternity pad if not two and on the slam chance you have a c section these knickers go above the bump
Savoury and sweet snacks and a bottle / cup you can sip from in any position
Flip flops for walks and shower
Shower kit / toothbrush / dry shampoo / hairbands! Lip balm / small make up kit if you want to attempt to glam up for pics
Your own towel! Large and dark coloured in case of bleeding
I personally loved my eye mask. Kept me in the zone for my breathing and a good distraction when lots of people in the room and to steal some sleep pre or post baby
Nursing bra
Lanolin for nipples
Odd one - aloe Vera gel! I got very itchy from the meds and this was a lifesaver in the heat
Depending on the heat you may want a lightweight dressing gown to feel comfortable using toilets / walking to shower
Phone charger
Breast pads
Maternity pads
Going home outfit for you - something loose and nothing sitting on tummy in case of c section
I personally laminated a few copies of my birth plan which was very birth-Zilla but gave me comfort that I was prepped
Your own pillow in a distinctive case that's different from their linen
If you have birthpartner/s they may want a pillow / warm hoody and layers in case they stay with you overnight
Flannels to have a cool wash

Baby -
5 vests (two sizes)
5 sleepsuits (maybe two sizes newborn /0-3)
At least one hat to leave hospital
'Fancy' leaving hospital outfit
Scratch mits
Dummy if you want
Nappies / nappy bags / water wipes (nurses may insist on cotton wool and water but I found water wipes were fine)
Muslins
Blanket
(Can't advise on formula as I BF)

Also worth showing your birth partner how you've packed so you can shout out what you want

Extra long charger in case you’re far from a plug socket, and a portable charger pack as back up

Squeezy bottle - I’ve got an empty sports bottle on the advice of a friend for peeing afterwards, fill with clean water and squeeze it over your bits while going to the loo to help with the pain!

BIG knickers, you'll need them😂, tooth brush/paste, shower gel (I took my own towel aswell but I was in labour for a whole week so I wanged my own) long charger, headphones, snacks and drinks, I had my partner bringing me packs of strawberry's and sugar😂 and late night mcds🐽5 baby grows and vests, back up formula incase you're bottle feeding, hat, dummy, blanket, nappies and wipes, a couple of bottles,

Sports bottle & one of those tiny concentrated squash, something to read, headphones so if you cant sleep you can watch films or listen to music on your phone. Download some books on your phone so you can read in the night without putting the light on if you cant sleep. Some change to buy a newspaper or drinks, snacks etc.

Eye mask/shawl to help you labour in peace. All those bright lights etc don't help

@shas19
Yeah ive ordered a pack if big knickers lol
But that mcds sounds especially important!!
Thankyou