The Hospital Bag/s

[MrsHJFL]

Hey Ladies

Sorry if this is a dumb question.. but im 8 weeks to go so starting to gather the items I need for my hospital bag.. Ive made a list but holy moly, looks like so much!! Going to need a suitcase! Ive been told i cant over prepare by the midwife as due to the current circumstances with covid my partner wont be allowed to pop home to grab anything we have forgotten and come back.

this is my first baby so dont know if im over thinking everything, just want to make sure im prepared!

So i guess firstly, i was wondering what type of bags you took? did any of you take a full on suitcase? will i look crazy if i turn up with one haha? or is it normal? Or did you have multiple bags, one for labour/one for baby etc?

Secondly, here is the list ive made, let me know if theres anything ive forgotten or wont need (baring in mind we cant go back to get anything, been told its apparently a 'once your in, your in..situation)


THE LIST:

FOR ME:
Hospital File / birth plan
dressing gown
fluffy socks/slippers
fresh underwear
change of clothes
flip flops
water spray / fan
pillow
phone charger
tablet/tablet charger or laptop?
bluetooth speaker
eye mask
night dress
towel
hairbrush
deodrant
toothbrush and paste
baby wipes
make up
face moisturiser
inhalers / paracetemol
food and drinks
breast pads
maternity pads
mirror
list of important phone numbers

FOR BABY:
baby grows
socks or booties
blanket
nappies
wipes
muslin
bottles
forumla
hat
outfit
mittens
car seat



Basically, any advice you can give me on how to prepare for the labour, even if its not involving the hospital bag, would be really appreciated.

Thank you :)

xx

[Leah91]

Hi! Your list looks very comprehensive to me I would maybe ask your partner to also take a bag with food and spare clothes for them so if they stay with you throughout they can at least eat and stay fresh. I've got 5 weeks to go today and I've just started packing my bag. I'm taking 1 hand luggage sized suitcase and a backpack for snacks and drinks in case I'm starving and need a lot of supplies .

[MrsHJFL]

@leah91 oh god, i hadnt even thought about my partner needing their own bag!! silly me! good point, thank you! xx

[PregnantPorcupine]

Following! Ftm as well so pretty clueless, but the only things I've noticed that are different to my list are

I have included clothes for post c section just in case (e.g. high waisted pants and joggers)

I have not included baby socks (baby grows have feet, right?) or mittens as it is likely to be warm. I might also pack vests in case it is very warm.

I am hoping to breast feed so including nursing bras but not formula.

Interested to hear what the experienced mums have to say!

[Snowqueen2014]

FTM here to and 4 weeks to go and just started packing. At the moment I have a bag for baby, a cabin size case for me and a rucksack for snacks and drinks but still not sure I am going to get everything in.

[PregnantPorcupine]

Oh, and I wasn't going to bring the car seat because unless things go incredibly well DP will presumably need to go home for a bit before I'm discharged so can get it then.

[edin16]

I'd get an extra long phone charger. The sockets can be far away from the bed.

Fans were banned when I gave birth 4 weeks ago in my hospital because of COVID.

What about a couple of pairs of pjs, you could keep the tags on them and if you don't need them take them back.

For a bag I was told not to bring a suitcase because they take up too much room, so instead I had a gym back for me and a rucksack for baby. I also used packing cubes in them to section stuff up. I also packed a second back up back that was incase I had to stay in, which I did so my partner was able to just grab it and bring it in.

I would also add a water bottle that would keep everything cool and also a few flannels. I used quite a few as a little changing mat because we weren't allowed to change the babies on the bed so had to do it in the cot.

[edin16]

Also have a back up night dress for post birth in case you end up with a catheter in. Again you could keep the tag on and return it if you don't use it

[HoneyWheeler]

Agree to get your partner to pack a bag with a change of clothes/underwear and some snacks. Also some paracetamol for them too - it can be a bit overwhelming and that can help in case they need it!

I'd just take baby gros with feet attached, and not bother about socks.
Hair ties for you if needed
Agree about extra long chargers

Extra large muslin blanket is so useful - swaddling to change mat to burp cloth!

Good luck!

[HoneyWheeler]

Also I just took a carry on suitcase!

[MrsHJFL]

thank you everyone, very helpful advice x

[Cherryrainbow]

I would check with the hospital if they provide formula milk or not as it can vary - with my first the hospital provided ready made cow & gate feeds in disposable bottles so that may save you some space.

It may be worth showing your list when you next see midwife/hospital staff to ask if there's stuff they're currently prohibiting from coming in to the wards.

[Floofsquidge]

Make sure your phone cable is extra long, and pack a power back too. And snacks, pack lots of snacks in case you're in a few days. Have a baby vest, hat, and nappy in a zip lock plastic bag where your birth partner can easily find it and hand to midwife when baby is born.

[Bouncytree]

Food, food, food! I ate so much in the days after I gave birth.

Congratulations on your pregnancy 😊

[Quercusrobur]

Vaseline/lip balm-my lips were horribly dry from gas and air, I can remember my mum putting it on for me!

[fee1234]

Lip balm 100%
I'm taking extra painkillers with me this time because they didn't come round often enough when I was in last time and I was in agony.

[MrsHJFL]

Lip balm is a good shout! Thank you x

[coffeeorwine]

A pillow in a coloured pillow case - hospital pillows are like sleeping on nothing...tens machine if you’re hoping for a pain relief minimal birth, maybe another nighty. I also personally preferred nappies for me for the first couple of days, and I’d take wet wipes for post birthing toileting. Agree with other posters, take your own paracetamol.

[LisaxMarie]

Mini shampoi/conditioner etc in case you have to stay in. I've also packed a mini can of dry shampoo in case I don't feel up to washing hair

[Happymama24]

Bring clothes for yourself to go home in after you have baby. Pre-download stuff to Netflix on your tablet. Bring earphones too.
I had to get husband to bring flip-flops to me when going home as feet were very swollen and I couldn't fit into my trainers 😂

[AnnaSW1]

Definitely pack paracetamol. For after you've had baby. Postnatal wards can be so busy. You don't want to have to wait for pain relief if you've had stitches.