Hospital bag for induction?!

[FTMinduction]

I'm a FTM, getting induced tomorrow. I'll be 41 weeks. I haven't had any pregnancy complications so far.

Please help me out with what to pack in MY hospital bag for being induced! (Babies bag is sorted ready to go)

I know inductions can take days, and I may have to stay for a few days after birth too if there's any complications... problem is, I'm not allowed any visitors at all, so can't have anything on standby ready for my family/DP to bring in when they visit

Hence why I need to pack everything before going in, I'd rather overpack than under pack if you get me.

So yes, if you were a FTM or have experienced induction, a list of what to pack in my bag would be SUPER helpful right now! 🤞🏼

As nobody can come and visit you, maybe pack for a section too in case you have to have one.

3-4 pairs of pyjamas/ comfy clothes
Towel for the shower (my hospital provided some but they were small and scratchy)
Flip flops for the shower
7+ pairs of big knickers
Clothes to leave hospital in
Slippers or slip on shoes for on the ward
Lots of snacks including lucozade sport
Lip balm
Hair bands
Toiletries and toothbrush

I'm sure there's probably more I'm forgetting to

Lots of things to keep you occupied my first induction took just under 72 hours and was boring!
Definitely a phone charger and head phones. Snacks as well and a bit of money for the canteen / vending machine (though our local hospital took card)
Dry shampoo and deodorant maybe. Lots of comfortable knickers and PJ bottoms - I bled a lot (sorry TMI).
For my second one I took majority of the same things but I also took my own pillow. I’d 100% recommend that - maybe one you don’t mind binning after though!

I was induced in November and was in for a week. Take lots of snacks and some isotonic drinks like Lucozade sport. If you have a Kindle I found that a life saver because I was so bored. Maybe some puzzle books and I got my husband to bring in an iPad after a few days so I could watch some films and TV shows. Good luck! X

I'd have thought you should be able to arrange for things to be dropped off for you, but obviously best to be as prepared as possible.

Before the birth
have you thought about what techniques you'll use to get through early labour? You may need to take some things for this - e.g. tens machine, stress balls, headphones to listen to music.
Things for the boredom as well - book, iPad.
And snacks!
Some comfy clothes and pyjamas.
Toiletries.
Slippers/flip flops

Labour
Whatever clothes you want to give birth in
Straws/water bottle you can drink from lying down
Lucozade sport
Lip balm
Hair bobble

After the birth
Big knickers
Maternity pads
Nipple cream and breast pads (you won't leak until your milk comes in around day 3 but otherwise the nipple cream will stain your clothes)
Comfy clothes and pjs - make sure you've got at least one nightie as well in case you need a catheter
Painkillers in case they're a bit crap with providing them on the ward

I was induced with my last. That took 2 days and then due to complications afterwards (not induction related) was in for another 4 days. Definitely stuff to keep you entertained before: kindle/tablet/books. Make sure you download loads of stuff before you go in incase the internet is patchy. Chargers for all devices. LOTs of snacks and drinks/squash to add, etc. Headphones are good. I spent a lot of the 1st night awake and wanted to watch a film without waking others. Earplugs and eye mask are good if you manage to get some sleep as hosps are noisy.

Comfy clothes/sweats/comfy socks, slippers for walking to shower. I lived in joggers, vest tops and an oversized cardigan. I took some little sample toiletries for a treat and a pick me up. Hair bobbles if you've got long hair. You'll be so hot and sweaty you'll want it out of the way.

I also took a pillow. So comforting to have your own. I then forgot and left it there. Oh well.

One thing I completely didn't expect after labour is how much you sweat. My feet were so big for the first few days, and I could feel the water sloshing around in them. So odd. But it soon goes. Just keep them elevated as much as you can.

Oh yes, and extra painkillers. I am rubbish with paracetamol and have to take dissolvable. It was a lot easier to have my own.

Hope you have a great labour

Thanks so much everyone for the helpful responses! I'm going to take everything out tonight and see what I need to add/remove.

Thanks so much again !

Just had my call from the hospital asking me to go in for 2pm, nervous!

Just to say my induction at 41 weeks took 5 hours - 2 hrs for contractions to start then a 3 hr labour - so you may not end up being in for ages!

My induction was very fast too only 7 hours in total so it really does just depend on you and baby! I ran out of knickers and pants too, I didn’t expect to bleed so much! Sorry! Good luck today

Inductions don't always take ages, once they broke my waters at 3cm by daughter was born 2 hours later. Lots of snacks hospital food is awful (and I work there!) a chillys bottle of similar as you will need to drink loads especially after your baby is born and it's much nicer cold. Good luck!

I was induced at 37 weeks and the pessaries didn't work, it was about 3/4 days of waiting (can't remember exactly). And then eventually they broke my waters at 7am and put me on a drip, my son was born just gone 2pm but labour was cut short and I had an EMCS.

I think it depends on gestation whether the pessaries work effectively or not I'd imagine you're far more likely to go into labour induced at 41 weeks with pessaries than 37. If you get put on the drip labour will soon kick in, it gets intense quickly.

Best of luck today

@XmasRibbons I was 37 weeks too, it's all individual isnt it.

Yes, definitely all individual some people just seem more reactive to pessaries. And some babies are just stubborn!