Hospital bags (again, I know!)

[Billyjoearmstrong]

How are you supposed to pack a hospital bag for yourself if you don’t have separate stuff to put in it?

I don’t have any maternity clothes or anything, I’ve never needed any as I don’t get a big bump - I don’t have a lot of clothes to be honest so I’m just going to take my everyday clothes to hospital. If I pack them, then I have nothing to wear in the meantime!

I’m having another section, so I don’t need to worry about what to wear during labour. I’m just taking my leggings/t shirts/a couple of light jersey t shirt dresses for after. I don’t bother with nightwear for hospital as after two babies I know there’s not much point.

I’m expecting some complications so we’ll be in fo a few days.

It just makes it impossible to pack anything in advance, even underwear etc, I don’t have the money to buy more to pack away!

I’ve just got visions of grabbing at drawers in a panic trying to stuff everything in a bag there are any problems. I’ve been lucky the past two times that I’ve just gone in on my section date but it might be different this time.

I would put one of things in the bag. One top, one pair of leggings, one pair of knickers. That way you know you’ve got something in there and it’s not a mad panic. You may need to wash your other clothes more frequently to make sure you’re always prepared to go.

Pack your bag with what you can and then write a list of what you need to add in that you can't put in at that time. That's what I did and as soon as I went into labour I packed the last couple of items into the bag. It's what I do for holidays etc if I need things like toothbrush/contact lenses before I leave in the morning.

Yes, lists and washing everyday just incase.

It’s just so much harder this time as the hosptal aren’t even letting partners drop anything off for you. So if I don’t have it with me, I won’t have it at all. Previously I took hardly anything, Dh just brought me in any fresh things I needed and took things home to wash and dry over night, but now he won’t be able to do that.

Have you got someone you could borrow some stuff from if you can’t afford to buy anything?

Join a fb group, you might be able to find a few things free on there?
I've just started to prepare a bag with a basic overnight stay, however when I was at hospital the other day I saw a midwife coming out exchanging items with someone outside so although they say he can't bring items in I think you will Find they will help if needed also as ruels are being relaxed visiting hospitals is becoming a little easyer x

@BeingATwatItsABingThing

Have you got someone you could borrow some stuff from if you can’t afford to buy anything?

No - but it’s ok. I don’t need anything really, I’d be loathe to buy extra stuff just to put in a bag. I think I’ll be okay with washing everyday. Or I’ll just have to pack and live out of the suitcase just incase!

@Avearage

Join a fb group, you might be able to find a few things free on there? I've just started to prepare a bag with a basic overnight stay, however when I was at hospital the other day I saw a midwife coming out exchanging items with someone outside so although they say he can't bring items in I think you will Find they will help if needed also as ruels are being relaxed visiting hospitals is becoming a little easyer x

I’m hoping they will relax. But at the moment, my hospital are allowing nothing to be brought in from the outside at all.

Even car seats- you have to take it into hospital with you or be met outside the hospital with it, they aren’t even letting those come in.

I used to have my suitcase open in a spare room, with everything packed that I could - small travel wash stuff, hairbrush, jelly babies and lucozade etc. Then next to it I laid out clothes, which I would wear and then swap with another outfit, so I always had clothes to hand to pack, but clothes to wear in circulation too!