How long in hospital?

[biscuit13]

so im a ftm and only 30 weeks but im thinking about how much to pack in the hospital bag?
At the moment im not sure what birth im going to have, im hoping for a normal birth, but waiting to find out if the placenta has moved up otherwise it will mean csection.
So just as a guide, how long did you stay in for normal birth or csection? Is it different or about the same?

It will entirely depend on your birth and the health of your baby when born. Many varying factors as well depending on how baby is feeding etc

It cannot be predicted at all but I'd say pack for 2 nights.
Take carrier bags and then if you're still in, you can ask your partner to bring in new stuff and pack up the used clothes for him to take home each day. If your partner is as useless as my DH at picking out clothes you could even lay out some outfits/pjs into piles at home so he only has to grab them and go 😂

Good luck and hope all goes well 😊

Six hours for both DDs. But DD2 was in ITU for a week, having been very nearly dead on arrival. We visited her from home after I was discharged - I needed to be home to look after my 16 month old DD1.
Take at least 24 hours worth of stuff, then as suggested above, get top ups from DH if necessary.

Pack enough for you and the baby for 1 night to walk in with, but pack another couple of bags of stuff to leave in the car. If you need more stuff all your husband has to do is bring the bag out the car. So much easier than trying to describe to your husband what to bring and where it is! I never needed anything from the car, well I left the winter suit for the baby in there and he just brought that up with the car seat to go home. I was in 1 night with my first (only because I gave birth 4pm on a Sunday and no one was about to do the checks) and second time about 5 hours.

I'm having twins and scared about the c section situation and being without my partner (not allowed in at all once out of recovery even during visiting hours). My midwife told me they are trying to get some c section patients discharged within 24 hours - not sure if I agree with that or not though

I had a c section and stayed one night in the hospital he was born in then moved to a local hospital and stayed another 2 nights. I could have stayed a week there but really didn't want to! Like others have said it all depends on you, the birth and the baby. And to an extent the hospital. The one DS was born in is a major hospital and they pretty much turf you out ASAP. The one I went to after, I was the only woman in so they're keen for you to stay

Yes. Your partner can take dirty clothes and bring new ones the next day. I was in for 4days with my first and 5days before and 2days after with my second.

6 hours with both of mine no complications an healthy babys so no reason to stay longer.

@biscuit13 oh I remember trying to figure out what to take in my hospital bag, exciting times!
it depends on your birth method really
I got induced on Sunday at 10am and discharged Wednesday afternoon
This was my hospital list lol hope this helps
Me
giving birth nightie
lose pj's X2
House coat X1
Slippers X1
Over the belly pants X3
Socks X3
Coming home outfit X1
Maternity pads, breast pads, cash, earphones, toiletries, snacks
Baby
coming home outfit
Baby grows X3
Vests X3
Mits X3
HatsX3
cardigans X3
Nappies, wipes
Blanket
Snowsuit
I had GD so expected to be in hospital longer than I was so probably over packed, I went in with a hand luggage suitcase lol but it was good to be over prepared than under I suppose

Thank you everyone! Sounds like such a mix but will prepare for 2 days and yes good idea about getting DH to take dirty stuff and bring in clean stuff if need be.

@lockdownmumma123 that list is helpful thank you!! Did you breastfeed? Im really hoping to but don't know whether to still take bottles and formula just in case??

@biscuit13 your welcome, I planned on breastfeeding but it never worked out for me, my little girl was tongue tied and I just never felt comfortable so I was unprepared bottle wise, the hospital gave me little ready made bottles for her x

As above if you did decide BF wasn't for you they will provide you with a ready made bottle of formula in hospital so no need to take all the kit in with you if BF is what you hope to do.

I planned to BF, DS was tongue tied so I struggled and they wanted to keep me in until he fed properly. I was fed up and wanted to go home so told them I wanted to formula feed instead. They weren't happy and were quite judgemental but gave me a bottle for him, he fed perfectly so I went home, bottled fed the first night (DH did most of these as I hadn't slept for 2 days!) and then started BF again afresh the next day (after a much needed rest in my own bed!) and then successfully BF for 3 months 😊