Packing my hospital bag- any recommendations?

[cantthinkofaname2021]

I'm having an elective c section next Wednesday, still haven't packed my bag so far have packed

Nightie
Slippers
Toiletries
Maternity pads
Breast pads
Phone charger

Baby's vests
Sleepsuits
Scratch mittens
Hats
Light blanket
Nappies
Nappy bags
Nappy cream
Wipes

Does anyone have any recommendations of things to take? Or that aren't obvious? Thank you :)

Dressing gown.

Flip flops to wear in the shower. A battery pack for your phone if you have one. Carrier bags for dirty clothes. I loved packing my hospital bags. Sad I know

Big pants 🩲

Big knickers that won't irritate your belly.

Water bottle and squash/cordial. Snacks.

Not to take but I downloaded a lot of shows for my second birth- keep me company during the night feeds- and in turn I took headphones

• Hair bands if you've got long hair
• Something to snack on just incase you're hungry and it's a while till your next meal
• Something for you like a trashy book, audio book, something to watch, whatever, I know it sounds a bit mad but newborns sleep and feed a lot and there might be a lot of sitting down and holding a baby 😉

Snacks - lots of easy to eat high calorie ones.
Nice shower gel for shower
Travel mug for hot drinks as they often have those tiny polystyrene cups for tea and coffee
Hair bands if you use them
Dry shampoo in case you can’t wash your hair

Rechargeable fan!! It was amazing

I froze some cartons/bottles of Ribera and they were amazing to have in labour in the heat. Plus some energy drink ( I was in the labour ward for rather a long time mind you!)

Extra long phone charger lead (the standard ones mean you can't look at your phone whilst it's charging which is annoying!)

V shaped pillow I found really useful

Tena pants/Aldi Tena pants less faff than the pads, just rip them off and bin them!

Socks for the baby. Best of luck - it's an exciting time for you!

Extra knickers and pyjama bottoms/leggings/joggers to wear afterwards if you end up staying in. My pelvic floor was utterly shot and I ended up having a couple of accidents which meant I went through the pairs I had very quickly. Fingers crossed you will be fine, but throw in an extra pair and have a few more ready at home so someone can bring them in if you need to stay for an extra night.

A nice and gentle unperfumed soap or shower gel for your nether regions afterwards. Do not do as a friend did and take something zingy...

An eye mask if you prefer to sleep in the dark.

Cereal bars or biscuits. I was ravenous for a long while afterwards and the traditional toast only goes so far! Food/snacks for during labour as it can be very hard to get meals when they move you about.

The tena adult nappies - game changer for me.
Didn't have them with DC1 but did with DC2 earlier this year. Used a maternity pad in them for first few days but they were so comfortable and not one single leak

Oh and if u plan on breastfeeding some nipple balm

Just wanted to second the tena knickers. I couldn't believe how much I bled afterwards and they were great. Really comfy and no leaks. Have recommended to all my pregnant friends

Thank you all for the replies so far very helpful- hair bands especially I didn't think of that!
I've read people say hospital can get very hot so wasn't sure about a dressing gown? This is my second birth but wasn't in long last time at all
Also will I shower in the hospital aren't you meant to not get your incision wet? I definitely will want to but wasn't sure!

My first birth I was baking hot my second I was freezing cold- layers because you never know!

I had a shower. They put special waterproof tape over my incision.

With both my sections I was told to direct the shower head directly at the incision to get the bandage off! So I'd go prepared to have a shower. I took one of those shampoo/conditioner in one jobbys so I could give my hair a quick wash.

I didn't shower in the hospital because the shower was so minging, but I did do a thorough flannel wash, so pack a flannel and towel.

2m long charging cable because the sockets are miles away.

Water bottle with built in straw and top that doesn't leak so you can have it in bed with you and you don't have to move or sit up to have a drink which is a godsend in the early hours post-op.

Flip flops

Haribo

Snacks, snacks and more snacks

I took my own pillow from home and it was a really nice home comfort!