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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Hospital bag

20 replies

Fourleafclover93 · 27/06/2021 20:07

So I'm not planning on packing my hospital bag for another few weeks but me and DH were at the maternity building of the hospital for an appointment.

There was a woman there with a suitcase (not a hand luggage one, a full size that you'd take for 2 weeks abroad) plus what I would class as an overnight bag.

Is this normal? Does everyone take a suitcase?

First baby so I have a rough idea what I need to pack but now I'm thinking maybe I need more than I thought

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SunnySideUp2020 · 27/06/2021 20:21

I took a big suitcase with baby stuff and mine.
DH had his backpack.
We had packed for 3 days but ended up with an infection and was kept for 4 days.
There was no going out once admitted because of covid (DH with me).
Despite having the big suitcase we ran out of a few things so we had to have a cousin drop off some of her baby's stuff!

Terriblecreature · 27/06/2021 20:26

I took a carry on suitcase and the babies change bag but I had to get my husband to bring stuff up, both times so I don't blame them for taking a large suitcase. And for reference I was in for 36 hours after DS1 arrived and 12 hours with DS2 lol

8dpwoah · 27/06/2021 20:30

Pre-covid and several days on antenatal with DP there all day going home at night so I only had a weekend bag for me plus very first things for baby..same again in the boot of the car for baby that DP bought up when he nipped out to do the calls...I think if it were in covid times I'd have needed a small suitcase ( a weekend wheelie one rather than a fortnight in Spain one) as we really relied on him nipping home and also being able to keep spare everything in the car boot.

Moominmiss · 27/06/2021 20:31

With my first I took a smallish sports type hold-all for me and the changing bag for baby bits. I ended up with an emergency c section and my baby went to special care for 5 days, but even with us being in for 5 days I had everything I needed.

My second and third were planned sections and again, just the hold-all and baby changing bag. In for one night each time.

I’ll be taking the same bags again for this baby which will be another elective.

Original poster

Fourleafclover93 · 27/06/2021 20:32

Thank you both for your replies. I believe the rule at the hospital I'm goin to is still DH can't leave once he's there so I thought I might need more stuff than in normal times.

Wasn't sure if a suitcase was OTT and the midwifes would think I'm a bit nuts for turning up with one.

OP posts:

PurpleishDahlia · 27/06/2021 20:34

Maybe they were bringing pillows? I've packed a hand-luggage and a weekend bag. If I was taking my own pillows I could easily fill a bigger suitcase though.

Original poster

Fourleafclover93 · 27/06/2021 20:38

Thanks for the replies. I'll probably pack a bag for baby and take a small suitcase for me. If im in longer than 1/2 nights im sure my mum will be able to drop me stuff off

OP posts:

PurBal · 27/06/2021 20:47

I don't have a large suitcase so I for one won't be taking one. I'm a FTM so can't speak from experience yet. But in normal life I can pack for myself for 3 nights in a 26l backpack. I'm taking what most would think of an overnight bag (smaller than a carry on) and an 18l (definitely not full) pack for baby. I have multiple changes of clothes for both of us (2-3 nights), snacks, washbag, nappies, etc. Other than a pillow I can't think of anything I've missed off the NHS list I was given at my booking appointment. If I end up staying in longer I'll need more of course, but I literally don't own enough appropriate clothing (big enough) to pack any extra even if I wanted to. I'd have no clothes to wear now!!

Chelyanne · 27/06/2021 20:52

I have a weekend bag on wheels, it was ample for all the stuff we needed last time and I had twins. Having a singleton this time so will pack fewer baby clothes but the rest will be the same.
I don't bother with snacks and happy with plain water. Hubby would most likely do extended fasting as it's easier than messing with food.

NatARG · 27/06/2021 21:23

I had a weekend bag and a separate changing bag. My husband had his own bag too. I ended up being in hospital for a week so was glad I had overpacked!

Calmyertits · 27/06/2021 21:31

Highly recommend going to the pound shop and getting some boxes of instant coffees and snacks to chuck in the car for you both! I had an overnight bag for baby and a small suitcase for me but always end up leaving with more than we went in with!

everydaysablessing · 27/06/2021 21:41

I've packed a weekend suitcase, it's nearly completely full of nappies, baby wipes, pads, disposable pants. With first baby I had nowhere near enough pads! No idea how people can fit all that in a smaller bag, haven't gone overboard on clothes for me or baby and have a small toiletries bag with travel size as (please god) only in for a few days.

Ahoynoy · 27/06/2021 21:43

The issue with such a large suitcase is there’s nowhere to put them on the ward.. your cubicle is small, with a small locker in the bedside cabinet to fit a bag in… AND to get anything out of it you’ll either need it open on the bed or the floor?! Not particularly handy for grabbing bits.

As a regular hospital-stayer (pregnancy or not) I’d rather have a couple of smaller bags- I use packing cubes or little cosmetics bags inside to separate things and make them easier to find- they fit in the bedside locker then/under the chair etc and you can grab bits out of them as needed. I have one permanently packed bag and then another that lives in the cupboard with extras for longer stays- so I don’t have to rely on my partners packing 🤣

I’ll do the same for having baby- he’s allowed to visit once a day for 1-2 hours so will just to have swap bits then. Will take enough for a couple of days and then have extra bags- one for baby and one for me- for if needed.

Justgettingbye · 27/06/2021 21:48

I took a bag for baby and a suitcase for me (most of it was my dressing gown) the midwifes made a bit of a fuss about it and made a point of putting it in the toilet out the way

BastardMonkfish · 27/06/2021 21:51

Maybe she didn't want to buy anything new just for a night or two? If I only had a suitcase that's what I'd bring, luckily I have a big sports bag that'll do the job.

Muststopeating · 27/06/2021 21:58

I am expecting my 3rd in a few weeks and have just finished off my bags.

The first time I was supposed to stay in for 3 nights (standard even after VB in the country I was in) so I packed for that. I had a small cabin sized case and didn't run out of anything. On top of that I had a pregnancy ball (that I didn't use) and a pillow.

Second time I was in and out in less than 8 hours. I barely used anything except toiletries for a shower, wore the same clothes home (water birth so ditched the jumper and leggings before any ming) and baby clothes. Had the whole cabin case again plus ball (didn't use it).

This time I've packed an overnight bag for labour. We'll take that in plus a very small call bag. I will leave the cabin case which has the extras (two spare jammies for me and baby plus the bulky things like nappies, pads etc) and the ball in the car just in case.

Even then I expect to need less than half the stuff in my labour bag.

If we remember then we will also throw my pregnancy pillow in the car just in case I have an extended stay. But I am definitely letting DH off lugging the damn ball this time. He'll just have to run back and get it if I need it.

TokenGinger · 27/06/2021 22:02

I had two carry one suitcases; one for baby, one for me. I kept them both separate because I ended up in hospital a couple of times and each time, I just grabbed my own case rather than one that had both our things in.

I still didn't have enough. I completely underestimated how many knickers and nighties/pyjamas I'd need. I took just a full pack of new knickers (5) and bled through them all (and my nighties) by tea time (I had him at 10am). I had to send my dad to Asda on his way to visit us to pick up knickers 😂

Whatelsecouldibecalled · 27/06/2021 22:09

I took a cabin size suitcase. Little roll one. And baby change bag. Good job as I had to carry it all and wheel my day old baby in cot down three wards and down three floors in lift and across car park on discharge when DH picked me up. One day post surgery after 4th degree tear. Ouch. Cheers covid.

Muststopeating · 27/06/2021 23:36

@Whatelsecouldibecalled

Bloody hell! Thats awful!

Edelweiss2020 · 28/06/2021 09:49

I took 3 small bags - a rucksack with snacks and husbands stuff, Changing bag with baby things and a small holdall with my stuff in. Also had a backup bag in the car of extras for if we had to stay longer.

We were in for 2 nights/3 days, we emptied the snacks bag but barely used half of what I took clothes wise. The most useful thing I took was my own blanket from home and a long phone charger.

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