Hospital bag

[rbetty]

Hi everyone, I'm totally clueless, I need to now think about packing my hospital bag, could anyone give me a list of what I need to put in?

Nighties
Comfy baggy clothes
Going home outfit
Big knickers
Slippers
Socks
Dressing gown
Hair bobbles
Brush
Dry shampoo
Toiletries
Massive pads

Vests
Baby grows
Going home outfit
Hats
Mittens
Blanket
Muslins
Cotton wool balls
Milk if formula feeding

Charger
Bag of snacks
Hand held fan

More pads than you think you need.
Disposable pants.
Energy drinks and snacks.
Pain killers.
A dressing gown belt in case you have a section, to tie to bed to pull yourself up with.
Ear plugs, eye mask.

Drinks
Snacks
Baby clothes
Clothes/nightwear for you.
Something comfortable to give birth in that doesn't matter if it gets wrecked.
Hand sanitizer
Anti bac wipes
Nappies
Baby wipes
Nursing bra
Baby milk (I bought the pre filled bottles in case they were needed, hospital do not provide)
Baby blanket
Baby hat
Massive knickers
Maternity/breast pads
Plenty of spare change for the car park
Phone charger
Good luck!!!

Here’s the list I made for myself when I had DD2 in September last year

Not sure why one of the pictures posted twice.

Thank you all this is really helpful!

I won't post a list as everyone has pretty much covered it. But I would advise to pack a little more than you think you need in case it's a long birth or you end up needing a c section.

Also what I did this time I found alot easier was pack babies outfits into sandwich bags so then it was easy for my partner or midwife to get as it was in one place instead of them having to root through my bag. In each bag was a vest, sleep suit, hat and nappy.

Also what I did this time I found alot easier was pack babies outfits into sandwich bags so then it was easy for my partner or midwife to get as it was in one place instead of them having to root through my bag. In each bag was a vest, sleep suit, hat and nappy.

I did this too (minus the nappy). Really helpful.

I would also recommend taking in your own pillow. Hospital pillows are awful and boiling, you won’t get any decent sleep if you have to stay in.

I was going to say take a pillow too. I was advised beforehand that there are never enough to go around and they are useful when feeding etc. Very glad I took one.

Flip flops

@BeingATwatItsABingThing firstly I love the name you're using lol. Also it was definitely really helpful, wish I'd have done it with my other 2 haha.

[quote StaceImpactWfan]@BeingATwatItsABingThing firstly I love the name you're using lol. Also it was definitely really helpful, wish I'd have done it with my other 2 haha.[/quote]
Thank you

The other thing I found useful was bringing practical outfits rather than the cutest ones. Beautiful baby grow for DD1 but two inadequate first time parents trying to wrangle a newborn into an outfit that buttoned up the back must have entertained the midwives. We had baby grows that zipped up for DD2.

This was my list:
[v] Trackies
[v] Leggings
[v] Comfy tops
[v] Socks
[v] Nightie
[v] Pjs
[v] Nursing bra
[ ] Slippers
[v] Flip flops
[v] Headphones x 2
[v] Phone charger long
[v] Ipad and charger
[v] Mini Shampoo and conditioner
[v] Mini Shower gel
[ ] Razor
[v] Towel
[v] Lots of underwear
[v] Maternity pads
[v] Face cream
[v] Hair brush
[v] Energy bars
[ ] Water and lucozade
[ ] Pillow
[v] Multivitamin
[ ] Glasses and glasses case
[ ] Breast pads
[v] Vaseline
[v] Toothbrush
[v] Toothpaste
[v] Deodorant
[v] Hand gel
[v] Hand cream

For baby
[v] 3 x onesie
[v] 4 x vest
[v] 2 x hats
[v] 3 x cardigan
[v] 2 x Baby blanket
[v] Muslins
[v] 1 x booties
[v] Pack of nappies
[v] Cotton wool pads
[v] Wipes

The things I should have taken more of were nighties, sleeveless ones as the wards can get hot. I ended up having an emergency c section so make sure you pack for 3 nights just in case, or at least have a small bag ready at home that your partner can bring in. Also just in case you do end up with a c section, peppermint tea and colpermin, trapped wind is a bitch. I didn't wear any of my leggings or tops, just trackies and a top when I went home as it was too hot to wear on the ward. Take a mix of sizes for the baby grows as mine was too big for the newborn sizes on day 1!
And a really important thing, a water bottle with a straw, especially if you're breastfeeding as you need to keep hydrated and having a big bottle to hand is great. Also whack a few energy bars or belvitas in there in case you're peckish, saves going anywhere or waiting for toast etc. Good luck 👍

I think it’s worth packing a second bag of stuff to keep in the car, in case you get kept in.
The biggest things for me were lip balm as gas and air dries you out massively.
Bottles of water as it’s a nightmare trying to get water from the busy staff and again, you’ll be super thirsty.
Your own pillows - hospital pillows are awful and an extra one for breastfeeding is a bonus.

Jumping on this to ask (hope that’s ok!) - what size clothes did you bring for yourself?! Still maternity wear ? Or ‘normal’ clothes a few sizes up?

May sound really OTT but someone advised me to take an extension cable with me as sometimes the plug sockets in the rooms are in weird, hard to reach places - I definitely found this to be the case so the extension cable was really useful! Meant I didn't have to keep getting up to go and get my phone when it was on charge!

And definitely flip flops - hospital showers are GRIM!!

Chuck in a couple of plastic bags. You can throw yours and baby's dirty clothes in there to keep them separate/send them home for washing.

@WeavingWandering I just took maternity clothes as they're much comfier and it was still a relatively good bump for me for a week or 2, I had an emergency c section though! Either way the high waisted maternity joggers or leggings would be way comfier!

@WeavingWandering I gave birth a few hours ago and definitely maternity things still. My belly feels so bloated, achy and jelly like, maternity is just more comfy.

Another pillow is a must, the hospital ones area rubbish even if you do get 2.

More knickers/bottoms then you think incase you leak.

The wards do get really hot.

Oh definitely maternity stuff! I still looked about 20/24 weeks pregnant after giving birth! Just a jelly belly instead of a nice solid one! 🤣🤣

[quote HowCanYou]@WeavingWandering I gave birth a few hours ago and definitely maternity things still. My belly feels so bloated, achy and jelly like, maternity is just more comfy.

Another pillow is a must, the hospital ones area rubbish even if you do get 2.

More knickers/bottoms then you think incase you leak.

The wards do get really hot.[/quote]
Congratulations!

Go for maternity because you can still wear those even if you don’t have a big bump.

With DD1, I still looked hugely pregnant after having her. With DD2 though, my bump went pretty quickly. Just flabbiness instead.

Thank you everyone this really helps. When do you pack it? I'm 31 weeks now, is it time to pack?