Hospital bags

[Stargazer87]

I've just started to get my things ready to pack a hospital bag for myself and baby and I'm starting to panic a little! What size bags are you all using? I was going to take a cabin case for me but just my towel nearly fills it! 🤣Also how many of each item are you taking? Any good checklists out there or recommendations? Feeling really out of my depth! 🙈

Another friend said to pack way more maternity pads than you think you’ll need

Thank you for this thread. It’s helping me to remember what I need to take.
I took a feeding pillow last time which was really useful for feeding obviously but also for popping behind my back when I was sitting up and laying my head on when sleeping. The hospital pillows were really flat.

Also earplugs and a sleep mask. It is never dark on the ward and I had a screamer on the ward with me during early labour.

Snacks!!!!!!!

I remember last time I was very very very hungry after my ELCS and no doubt I will be this time around too

I think size 0 nappies are usually for tiny babies? Maybe each brand has different weights they're aimed at though.
I have size 1 packed.

We have only used size 1 nappies, we took a packet of 40 in and I think we used ~25 over the 3 days.

I used 6 disposables maternity pads and I had 14 cloth pads with me but I can't remember how many I used . I used the disposables for the first day/night then switched to the cloth the following morning

Definitely lots of snacks in case your partner can’t stay. I’ve been putting things aside in my weekly shop - dried soft apricots were recommended by my midwife for helping with post birth poo, isotonic drinks, nuts, sweets, cereal bars and peanut butter energy balls.

I guess it depends how far you are from the hospital, and what their rules are, but even in the most intense part of lockdown people were allowed to drop stuff off for you at the ward (had couple of friends who gave birth then) so unless you know for sure you’re going to be in for a few days I’d assume it will be one night and pack for that, then have a second bag with extras packed at home for your DH to take in for you.

It’s annoying to have to drag big luggage around and harder to find things the more you have.

With my first baby I was in less than 24hrs and barely opened the bag for me! I had a cabin sized suitcase plus a backpack for DH that also had my snacks in it. We did end up needing 3 changes of clothes for DS because he did 2 explosive meconium poos in a row!

Anyone else just not use half the stuff they packed? For me, I needed pads, fresh clothing, flip flops and toiletries. For baby I needed clothes, nappies and wipes.

Aside from that, everything else stayed in the bag. I was in no mood to read, eat or listening to music. I think I used my water bottle but only when DH kept prompting me to drink. I sort the rest of labour marching around swearing, and then sleeping and pushing after my epidural. I’ll pack a lot lighter this time.

But I will add the caveat that I live very close to the hospital so it’s easy for DH to pop home and get anything we need

Definitely depends how strict they are. I’d rather have lots of snacks and not need them then be wishing I had more. If I give birth on the midwife led unit my husband can stay but if transferred they are very strict about the visiting just a couple of hours in the late afternoon so I would rather have things with me.

@FizzingWhizzbee123 same, there were loads of things I didn't use. Any of the stuff for labour (fan, water spray etc) weren't used.
The hospital provided maternity pads, breast pads, cotton wool, towels etc.

I didn't eat any snacks or read a book either.
When I was in labour I was in too much pain / throwing up and after ds was born I just wanted to stare at him when I wasn't trying to feed him.

@peachypetite Same with my hospital! Rules are that partners are still allowed in until you’re transferred back into the ward - anything from 1hour to a few hours after birth. Then partner has to leave and will be given a 30 minute appointment to visit us for each 24 hours we’re kept in after that 😔