Hospital bag!

[emmab96]

I'm going to be induced at 37 weeks (due to complications with gestational diabetes) which is coming up very soon! I just wanted to see what everyone packed in their hospital bags?
I'll be taking two one for myself/ my partner and one for baby is there anything you wish someone would've suggested you packed or things you found useful/ didn't use at all, thank you!

I’m in early pregnancy so have zero experience but I would think some change (for parking, vending machines etc) is a good idea to have as well as a very long phone charger. Also some cereal bars and other snacks to keep up energy. There’s some good YouTube videos for hospital bag packing which may help more. Good luck! X

So a few things on my list would be

For you:
Breast pads
Maternity pads
Comfy clothes
Going home clothes
Underwear / socks
Pjs
Dressing gown and slippers
Phone charger
Change for the car park
Snacks and high energy drink
Magazine or ipad etc
Lip balm
Maternity notes

For baby:
Baby grows (a few)
Scratch mits
Hat
Going home outfit
Blanket
Car seat
Nappies
Wipes and cotton wool
Ready made formula (if bottle feeding)
Muslin cloths
Dummy (if using)

I'm sure there's more but it's not coming to me right now haha. Hope this helps a little!

Good list above in addition to this id pack a towel and some shower gel for you.

Earplugs and eye mask so you can sleep!

I was induced a few weeks ago and these were a godsend as I was kept in overnight waiting for things to happen.

Also, a book. I arrived at 9am to be induced and for various reasons induction didn't start until 3pm and it then took 24hours for something to start happening.

Make sure you wash your towel first - I bought a black one on the advice of loads of internet lists! And it shed black fluff all over me which was lovely after recovering from an unscheduled surgery to repair a PPH.

As PP have said - long phone charger, an extra power bank just in case, a decent sized pillow (an L shaped one is a godsend), nursing vests that unclip with one hand, a big water bottle you can refill and get your birth partner to pack the bags so when there’s something you NEED right then they aren’t fannying about trying to find it. If your baby is measuring big, pack more 0-3 vests etc than you think you may need or have them out somewhere at home so people could grab them for you. My best mate brought me a cool bag after the birth with a load of smoothies, cured meats and soft cheeses inside which was bliss.

Cheap flip flops. The showers were yucky on my ward

A fan was a godsend!

Nearly 35 weeks, so following with interest! Just started to pack the bag.

Can anyone tell me if lanolin nipple cream is necessary to put in the bag and whether I can also use this as nappy cream? Also, maternity pads or just heavy overnight pads?

Yyy to maternity pads!
I didnt need nipple cream as bf was barely starting properly before I went home, but everyone is different on that score.

Long night shirt with buttons for bf access tho I had a cs so trousers on pjs wouldn't work with catheter.

Definitely maternity pads @sadtoday21

Flip flops for the showers are a must
More snacks and cartons of juice than you think you'll ever need
Magazines
Nipple cream
A couple of sets of pjs/nighties (I bled through my first set)

I have my bag packed and have used zip lock sandwich bags for babys 3 outfits so one set of vest, babygrow, hat and mitts in each one. Not my idea originally but much easier than pulling out a few different hats, mitts etc especially as it may be my boyfriend getting stuff out lol.

Thanks @LatteLover12! Do you know if the lanolin nipple cream can also be used for nappy rash, chapped lips, etc.? Trying to just buy one all-purpose cream for everything.

Anyone bring the sterilised bottles? Planning to bf, but its my first and not sure how it's going to go yet. Or would these be best left at home since surely hospital would provide in an emergency?

Do hospitals not have towels? Dressing gown or will it get ruined?

The ward I was on was hotter than the sun, I would recommend a small plug in fan
(www.dunelm.com/product/chrome-usb-4-inch-desk-fan-1000112545?) this sort of thing. You can use the same head as an iPhone to plug in at the mains.

Reusable breast pads as the disposable ones were awful. Amazon was the cheapest place for these and quality wise they were great.

@sadtoday21 definitely maternity pads. And knickers that are high waisted. I bought one size bigger for comfort and to avoid any potential scar zones (no C section in the end but would have been handy if that's where I ended up).

Ear phones
Audiobooks
A film on your iPad
Magazine
Lip balm & moisturiser- you want to try and look human afterwards!
Big pants and pads
Custard creams (or other favourite biscuit) to nibble on during labour.
Maternity trousers for going home - I actually took my normal jeans the first time. I actually thought I was suddenly going to be my usual size!!

I'd leave the bottles at home. If you want to establish bf it can take a few days anyway. Your milk won't come in for 3 or 4 days. Keep asking for help with latch as well (even if it feels as through there's nothing there to feed with).

Pure lanolin will be fine for you and baby but I doubt you'll need nappy cream whilst you're still in hospital. Sudocrem is a good alternative and then metanium is brilliant.

Hospital won't provide you with a towel, take your own dark coloured one. You might not need a dressing gown as the wards are kept quite warm but yes, expect blood I'm afraid.

I ended up having an emergency section and thought I'd bleed less, nope!

The absolute best thing I took was those big disposable Tena pants for the bleeding. So much better than the maternity pads which were hopeless in my opinion. Amazing things, nothing's leaking out of them. I recommend them to everyone, and they're comfy

Oh yeah a face fan and maternity pillow were my best friends during labour and afterwards

Thank you for all the replies been super helpful!x