I need to pack a hospital bag. I really should know how to do it by now...

[CharlieAndLolasMummy]

But on my list is

slippers
chocolate
camera

Am thinking I will need more stuff.

This is baby no 3 and while I have halfheartedly said "oh yes, I WOULD like a home birth" the reality is that I have twice been transfered. And NEITHER time did I pack a hospital bag, resulting in a stop off at Sainsbury's on the way home whilst wearing dp's t shirt and no shoes .

So. What should I take? I like to travel light but not this light. And I hate packing, which is why I am diverting myself on here...

I should probably clarify the NCT comment-its the fact that I do actually spend weekends giving OTHER people this sort of info, but can't for the life of me do it myself...

My god, I have forgotten a lot of the things you need to take! (8 years ago!) It sounds as if you need to take more with you than on a camping trip! (and probably much less hygienic!) And yes, I don't want to look like a tit either; I have 4 weeks to go and have not packed a thing, but have the distinct impression I will need to take a small campervan into the hospital with me to accomodate all my stuff!

lol
CharlieandLolasMummy, are you related to Holly Golightly, who could get all her worldly possessions in a taxi cab? If so, you should get a little black dress for your going home outfit.

A question - how much bigger do the going home pants need to be than the ones I normally get? I have the impression that they should be a lot more spacious.

I had 3 bags; 1 for me to take into hospital that only contained the basics. 1 for baby with basiscs. And a massive bag in the car that contained every other thing!

That way, I had a weekender overnight bag and my vanity case and had all the big stuff/non essentials in the car if I needed them.

i go in fully equipped.

dressing gown, my own pj's, slipper, socks, my favourite throw and a going home outfit.

then, my essentials: travel kettle, tea, cup, sugar, individual packets of UHT milk, snacks, paracetemol and ibuprofen, vitamins, hot water bottle, arnica - tablets and gel, aromatherapy oils.

then there's the stuff for the baby.

that's another bag entirely.

better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.

i also take a bike lock along for doubling up security on my stuff.

Hey all, im just in the middle of packing my bag too, feels like im going away for 2 weeks - im packing it all into a travel case - hope i dont look like a tit!!

So far

For me:
Tens machine
Big knickers
Maternity pads
Wet wipes
Lip balm
shower gel
Toothbrush for me and dh & toothpaste
flannels
Two big dark towels
Nighie and dressing gown
Flip flops
Make up bag/hairbrush
Camera

Do not know what to take in for baby?
Whats everyone else doing?

xx

Blimey, now I feel better! I'm going to empty my crammed overnight bag, add a million things to my pile of stuff and repack it all in something way more spacious. Like a caravan.

Mummylittle - baby wise my nipper's bag contains:
nappies
bum cream
cotton wool
nappy sacks
baby wipes
burp cloths
vests
long sleeved sleep suits
fleecy long sleeved suits
snow suit
socks
hat
mitts
swaddling blankie
shawl/ blankie for going home

Seeing as this is my first though, that's by no means an expert list of things to take. I'm relying solely on guesswork here so if anyone wants to chip in...

Sx

Thanks scampy, just putting all her clothes in the wash now, looking ofrward to choosing her first vest and sleepsuit! (how sad..!)

xx

Thanks scampy, just putting all her clothes in the wash now, looking forward to choosing her first vest and sleepsuit! (how sad..!)

xx

VIDEO IPOD! There is no way I am going to line the pocket of the evil one (patientline that is) for the extortionate (sorry sp'!) charge they make for beside telly that I can remember from last time!

yes, I can get camping equipment for a family of 4 in the boot of a small Skoda. This is without the use of footwells or roof racks. And the lid closes first time. For some reason I am immensely proud of this.

oh have added ipod to list.

OK but listen people who have lists that aren't mine. The odds are that you won't be there for very long-I was out next day with ds and same day with dd (and ds was kept in-heart murmur).

I plan to just pack for a short stay, overnight at most. What I MIGHT do is to also pack a just-in-case bag, for dp to bring in if, for any reason, I am kept in. But actually I probably won't get round to it...

Scampy, honestly, you DON'T need to take all those clothes! HONESTLY! Aside from the fact that EVERY visitor will bring you baby clothes, really, newborn babies don't get THAT dirty .

Seriously, I'd take a couple of sleepsuits, sleepsuit, a couple of vests, a jumper/cardigan, an outer fleecy thingy because it is cold, and a hat.

Here is the thing about NOT traveling light. You are going to have with you a newborn, probably in a car seat unless you pack a sling (recommended). One of you will be carrying said newborn, and this is traditionally the father's role. THUS-who carries the other bag(s)?

CharlieandLolasMummy makes an excellent (and funny) point. I (post caesarian) trundled, a wheelie bag, four carrier bags and a bottle of water to the car while DH carried DD aloft in a very light car seat

One other thing I take is books - hospitals are fecking dull and newborns sleep whereas I can't away from home so.....

Oh and I hand the books out to the nurses or the patients afterwards, there are always some mums to be stuck in there for months looking bored you can fling paperbacks at!

ok, i think this is really important;

do not, under any circumstances , leave anything under the delivery bed, i ended up delivering on the bed, and my favourite shoes had to be left in teh clinical waste bin

and

show your DH and/ or birth partner where things are in teh bag, i could not speak once labour was heavily underway and my lips were cracked and bleeding, but no-one knew i had lipbalm in the bag, or my flannel etc..

it might be an idea to ensure that your birth partners know where your stuff is and to offer it, you can always swat them away if you don;t want it!

and bendy straws, always have those in my doula bag, means mum can sip easily at any angle pretty much! or a sports bottle one with frozen water in that will melt slowly... my midwife looked askance when DH asked for ice, when i give birth in late JUly!!

oh BENDY STRAWS, of course!

I always find post birth reading matter a tricky one. I need something to read, but it needs to be light. But I don't really do chicklit or Hello or anything...

Magazines - I couldn't concentrate on my book.
Those wet toilet wipes - good for dabbing tentatively at stiches!
Antibac wipes.

Do you need to bring your own baby bottles if you're not breastfeeding? I am bringing my own formula but do they supply bottles & sterilisers.

I'm going to have to put mine stuff in a wheelbarrow at this rate.