What do you really need in your hospital bag?

[OliviaL9530]

I'm all!

I'm just over 34 weeks and I've started to think about what I'll be needing in my hospital bag for both me and baby and what I'll be needing at
home immediately after.
I've seen some lists online but they just looks a little excessive.
Baby is footling breech and measuring big so I have a discussion next week with the consultant to discuss delivery options so I just want to make sure I have everything I need.

Personally I'd wait until you've spoken with the consultant and know more about your options. (I know nothing of baby positions and if you can have a natural birth!) But if you can't, then you'll need a couple of different things for after a C section, also if it's planned you'll be able to pack things to keep you busy while you wait etc.
I'd not then you'll need snacks and energy drinks for a start. Button down nighty/PJs if you plan of BFing. Comfy undies, plenty of maternity pads (not just big sanitary pads, trust me!), shower stuff and flip flops (no one wants the risk of catching warts from the shower!) I have a list if you want me to c&p?

Agree with above, will be easier once you know what sort of delivery you can opt for. I'm 36 weeks and just finished packing mine.

Some extras I've added: 2m phone charging cable, earplugs, a portable fan (I find the wards really too hot)

Really depends on how long you will be in for. I had a planned section in July and they said I'd be in for two days so had to take more but I was home the next evening.

If you're in for a couple of days:

4 x baby vests
4 x sleep suits
So you have enough to change them if needed.
Cotton wool
Nappies - I just packed 1/2 a pack of Asda newborn nappies which was more than enough.
Blanket
Hat
Scratch mitts if sleep suits don't have the fold over bits on the sleeves. Although I always found socks worked better than scratch mitts.
Nappy cream
Muslins x 2
Formula if you're not going to breastfeed

For you
Wash & shower stuff and moisturiser etc.
Maternity pads
Nipple cream
Towel as hospital ones are small
Slippers
Socks
Big knickers so you have room for maternity pads
Loose pjs
Buttoned top for easy breast feeding
Something comfy to wear during the day and to wear home
Some people take a dressing gown but I think a comfy hoodie does the trick.
Plenty of snacks as if you get in the ward late there isn't much or anything to eat.
Phone charger

After having my 2nd 4 weeks ago, the only things i used were: bottled water, a towel for the post birth shower, a million maternity pads, 1 x baby outfit, nappies and wipes and shampoo/conditioner.
I went in at 9am, gave birth at 12.04 and were sent home by 3.30pm!
Based on that, unless you know you’re going to be in for a few days, I’d pack one bag with immediate stuff and then another to keep in the car with extras etc 😊

Food. When I got onto the ward the only veggie food on offer was a baked potato covered in soya mince - I find fake meat disgusting and it's about the only veggie food I hate. Hotel shop was shut, didn't want to have to send DH further away to get me some food as he was exhausted as well. Some long lasting snacks - even crisps - would have been very welcome.

Thanks all!
Great lists, a few things I never thought of such as towel and long charging cable.

You're right. I'll wait until I've spoken to the consultant so I know what to pack and how much, pointless packing bits I won't be using x

Snacks, and more pants than you think you’ll need!

I’ve got baby’s bag and then for me:
Something to give birth in x2
Button down nightie
Lightweight dressing gown
Daytime outfits x2
Couple of nursing bras
Shower stuff
Nipple cream
Flip flops
Cosy socks
Tena pants.

I had a CS the last time and the Tena pants (rather than pads and knickers) we’re absolutely amazing. They’re soft over your scar and very absorbent.

We’ve also packed a snack bag. Did this last time for CS and it was a godsend. I was nil by mouth for 18 hours. It has:
Isotonic sports drinks
Coconut water
Water bottle and mini squash
Flapjack
Cereal bars
Sweeties
Crisps
And then my number one top tip is to cook an oven pizza, slice it, wrap the slices in foil, put the slices in the freezer in a tupperware. When it’s time to go to hospital, put the tupperware in the snack bag and ta daaaaaaa. Post birth pizza! Everyone raves about the tea and toast, but post birth pizza was a game changer!

The thing is: I'd rather have had things and not needed them than needed things I didn't have, if that makes sense? I'd rather have those electrolyte drinks and not used it than wanted it and not had it, if that makes sense.

I ended up staying overnight only because I gave birth at 10:15pm and they wanted baby check over by a paediatrician before we left (he'd showed some signs of distress, like decels and meconium in waters, reduced movement during early labour).... but even so I didn't use half the things I brought. But I was glad to have them and not need them (oh my god we brought so much food! I wasn't hungry after ds's birth, not like I was with dd but couldn't reach my food when I was on postnatal with her, but that's another story).

To fail to prepare is to prepare for failure...

I always wear packed 2 bags. A labour bag with the stuff I needed while giving birth and straight after, so a nappy vest and sleep suit for baby, change of clothes, travel size toiletry's, snacks for dh, lucazade for me. And a separate bag in case I needed to stay in, with a few changes of clothes for me and baby, snacks, drinks, chargers, shower stuff. The second bag would stay in the car unless I needed it, and dh take the first bag home if we stayed in.

Does your hospital have a list? I've just gone by the list on my hospital website plus added a few personal bits that I wanted.

Hairbrush
Hair bobbles or scrunchies that won't knot in your hair
Slippers - flip flops are ok but I can't always get them off as they get trapped between my toes. Birkenstocks were great. This is for wandering about the hospital as well as leaving.

More pants and maternity pads than you could imagine. You will use them either in hospital or after.

Soap and shampoo. And towel. There is literally nothing in the hospital. I had no idea there would be no soap!

Big pants. Lots.

Pyjama bottoms or soft leggings. And tops you can lift or unbutton if you are planning on breastfeeding. Many. Because of leaks.

Moisturiser for your face. You'll be dried out and shattered and a nice familiar smell on your face can work wonders.

4 changes for the baby. Little hat.

Snacks.

If you need to go into hospital to stay prior to giving birth then take charger and pen and some shit puzzle books or magazines as it does get boring and you'll need to take your kind off things. (DC2 was footing breech in the end. I had a few days in hospital pre birth and I was going mad without things to occupy my mind. Puzzle books plus pen. Magazines. Dodnt have mental energy for a book.)

Your maternity notes!

@jubbablub was it the Tena incontinence Pants Maxi you used? Xx

I think so. So much easier than faffing around with pads and pants.

Phone and phone charger, birth plan, pads, change of clothes, a few pairs of knickers, shower stuff, snacks and drinks. I don't think I even used any snacks. Got tea and toast afterwards.