Can you share your hospital bag checklist with me?

[ImStayingInside]

I am 34+3 weeks pregnant and have a c section booked for 38+3, I would like to start getting my hospital bag organised, but have no idea where to start!
If you would kindly share your checklists so I can get an idea of what to pack, as when I asked my midwife if she has a recommended list she told me to just look online ... which is about as helpful as she has been throughout my pregnancy!

There are really good lists on Pinterest - I used a mix of a couple

What is in my bag?

• [x] Pads
• [x] 2 x soft bras
• [x] 4 x pants
• [x] Slippers
• [x] 2 x nightdress
• [x] Breast pads
• [x] Toiletries - toothbrush/paste, deo, shower gel, hand sanitiser, dry shampoo
• [x] Painkillers
• [x] Top and leggings
• [x] Snacks
• [x] Water bottle
• [x] Outfit to wear home
• [x] Hair ties and brush
• [ ] Phone charger

This is a note I made on my phone, ticked off as I packed, phone charger will go in on the day as I haven’t bought one specifically for the hospital

Long long phone charger, those plug sockets are stupidly far from the bed. I couldn’t gave used my phone without the long cable.

Big water bottle, you’ll be thirsty and won’t want to piss about with those tiny little cups.

I had a fan, thé ward was hotter than the sun. It was the reason i discharged myself the morning after my c-sec. I just could not deal.

This is the video that we were directed towards:

Things I found useful:

Nighties (button down ones are good if you want to breastfeed)

BIG knickers

Flip flops or slippers that you can easily slide on your feet without having to bend after your c section, for walking about to the loo etc

A thin black dressing gown, again for when you need to walk around the ward. Definitely not a thick one though, the ward was hotter than the sun!

Something high waisted and comfy to come home in

Drinks and snacks

• Huge comfy pants, go for at least a size bigger tnan normal.
• extra long phone charger, the sockets are bloody miles away
• snacks for you and partner. They do nkt feed partners and if my birth was anything to go by, the hospital shops etc are all closed and DH was hungry (we did have snacks but not loads)
• thin dressing gown and comfy pj's/nighties. I ended up in a gown though because i had a urinary catheter and was on bed rest due to a haemorrhage but the gown allowed me to feed easily and was light and airy!
• maternity pads. Bleeding is immense following birth (not sure on a csection though) i was using 2 pads at a time and changing them hourly. The boots own brand ones are very comfy.
• water bottle. A chilly bottle worked well for me as there were cold water coolers on the wards and i needed to drink constantly.
• nice wash stuff, toothbrush, tooth paste, hair brush, shampoo etc. Showers are available whenever you need them
• a good book. You will get little sleep on the wards after birth so take something to occupy you between feeds if you cant sleep
• your own towel from home for the shower
• your own pillow from home. This was the best item i took to be honest. I was much more comfy with it.

Pack an extra towel, flip flops, tooth brush/paste, shirt, socks, deodorant for your partner. They not allowed to stay there all the time, but after C section you won`t really be able to move for a few days so he will be the one who has to help you out and the baby. Make sure he has everything if he needs to freshen up. And definitely snacks! More the better!

@Tina8800 not necessarily- I was on my feet the morning after my c sec, in the shower, home in the afternoon.

DH wasn’t allowed in expect for 10-2pm visiting hours so wouldn’t have been able to help me much at all anyway.

Everyone is different but not everyone will be bed bound for days, I was really surprised by how quickly I was moving around.

Om the subject of partners staying in hospital with you, check the hospital policy ahead of time.
I know lots of hospitals are not allowing partners to stay unless in active labour.
But i was shocked that DH was allowed to stay the entire time with me from admission for induction all the way through to discharge.
If your partner cant stay it will greatly limit what stuff you need to take for him.
If he is allowed to stay, get him to pack his own bag with changes of clothes, wash stuff, a book and a load of snacks and drinks.
DH also brought his pillow from home as resting in a chair all night is very uncomfortable.