Hospital bag , does this sound too much stuff

[Bear486]

Making a list of what to pack in my hospital bag for labour. Wondering if I've got too much stuff? First time doing this!

X2 pairs of PJ'S
X2 vest tops
X2 pairs of shorts (I get very hot easily)
X2 sports bras (which I don't mind getting wet should i go for the pool)
X2 nursing bras
X2 pairs leggins
X4 pairs of knickers (is this enough?)
X2 pairs of socks
X1 bath towel
X1 hoodie
Pair slippers
X1 oversized t-shirt to wear in labour potentially

I always end up over packing wherever I go, although never take more then a tiny suitcase!

Toiletries I have list wise

X2 packs maternity pads
X1 box breast pads
Shampoo / conditioner
Body wash
Spare hair bands / hair brush
Toothbrush/ toothpaste
Deodorant
Lip balm

Anything I've missed / shouldn't take off of these lists? Haven't even started on babies list yet as not sure what to pack on that one :/

You won't need breast pads until your milk comes in so can probably leave them at home. Your list looks fine if you're only in for a couple of days, but would suggest making sure your birth partner knows where to find extra tops/pants at home if you're in for longer you could leave the 2nd pair of pjs and one of the nursing bras at home too and send for them if you're in for longer ☺️

Following this thread as I need to start packing mine, and I'm a dreadful overpacker haha

Snacks and drinksssss! Most important things. 😂

Take food.

@BowiesJumper great minds!

Phone and charger.

Water bottle.

My labour with ds2 was pretty quick, so didn't have time for any of the snacks until after.

Sounds fine to me, earplugs/eye mask thing, the wards are noisy. Earphones too to watch Netflix on your phone etc and charger. I agree, loads of snacks eg. Alpen bars, apples/oranges, bottles of water too (things full of fibre and obviously the water, make your first number 2 a little easier!)

If all goes normally, you’ll be heading home six hours post delivery. I just took the minimum, and I don’t possess any pyjamas or nighties, so just wore a hospital gown then changed back into my dress in the morning to go home. Think I had more stuff for baby - vest, babygro, nappies. I took basic toiletries and a book to read in labour.
If you stay longer than expected, your DH could nip home for spare clothes.

More knickers, less bras you don't need four bras

I can't remember how much I packed so thought I'd tell you what I actually wore.

One vest for labour
Stripped naked to deliver, far too hot
Nightie for after
2 pairs of PJs
Going home - leggings baggy top
Knickers x 6

Extra pair of clothes for dad

I was sent home 24 hours after delivery.

Water bottle
Hand held fan
SNACKS
Charger
iPad/books

I would say double the number of knickers - they don't take much room. I would think loose trousers rather than leggings if you have them.
I assume you have nappies, babygro, vest, cotton wool etc? Take newborn size and 0-3 months - my babies were swamped by 0-3 months but other babies are too big for newborn size.

This.

Also pack it in 2 bags. Bag for labour and first bits baby will need. bag for what you'll need if you are kept in.

take headphones. If the ward if noisy you can try and block it out with some white noise to try and get some sleep or even to watch things on your phone.

Honestly, I'd pack a 'labour' bag, that has enough for 24hours for you and baby, and a rucksake with a change of clothes for partner and snacks for during/after labour. Im pregnant with my 3rd and will probably do a hand luggage sized wheely bag.
Then an extra bag that's kept in the car that your partner can get for you if you have to stay in.
If recommend packing babies outfits in sandwich bags, and label for partner/midwife to grab I.e. First outfit and including nappy etc
For your bag, add a peri bottle to spray on yourself when you wee (stops the acidic wee buring any tears Etc)

An eye mask to help with sleeping if it's busy / bright

And all the snacks you can manage. Hospital food is hit and miss and you might want some home comforts

Take a really long charger. The sockets were miles away from the bed.

Water bottle with a straw so you can sip it whatever position you are in.

My waters broke 18hrs before i went into labour and leaked constantly. I'd used two packs of maternity pads before even giving birth. Make sure your DH / DP knows where your spares are at home / what to look for in Boots in case they need to go and get you more.

Take sliders instead of slippers so you can wear them for the showers/bathroom area without them getting wet. You'll have to wear compression stockings after birth so dont get ones with a toe thong. I then had fluffy socks for sat in bed / in the chair.

I had a 5 night stay on postnatal and then another week staying in a NICU parent room with baby. If you end up with that long a stay, you'll have plenty of time for DH to go home / do laundry / bring fresh things etc.

Pack a nightie rather than PJ's incase you have a CS/spinal and need a catheter in. If you're planning on breastfeeding then a button up nightshirt is perfect. Pack a thin dressing gown too.

I laboured in a vest and shorts initially, a baggy t-shirt would have been too hot. Plus a vest will be fine for the birth pool.

Agree with pp that you are unlikely to need breastpads until milk is in.

Also the hospital can provide towels which they will launder. They probably won't be huge, but at least you won't have to take a soggy bloodied towel home!

I always advise anyone staying in hospital to bring a plug extension cable as plug is miles from the bed and generally there is only one. You can put the extender on your table and have you phone and iPad plugged in, it’s much better.

Also a mini electric fan is nice as the wards can get very hot.

Ear plugs are a must!

Pillow and blanket .

Just to add to the great suggestions above - make sure your deodorant is a roll on as lots of hospitals you can’t have spray because it can set off the smoke alarms. I was in for three days without deodorant during the heatwave when I had my daughter because the only one I’d brought was spray

More knickers - My waters were on and off for 4 hrs before birth -i went through 6x knickers and 4 x trousers/pjs in 2hrs!
Hair net- My hair knotted badly after c-sect and laying for 6hrs after.
Throat sweets- My labour ' sounds' really hurt my throat.
A sports top drink bottle- Easier to use in labour
I also used Vaseline aloe vera moisturizer - So refreshing after birth

Lots of snacks. Headphones, earplugs, extra long charging cable, flip flops for the shower(the bathrooms are manky), lots of knickers.

In my experience, bring loads of knickers! I had to send my mam out to get morw

Your list is similar to mine, but I'm taking prob 10 pairs of knickers to be on safe side; I'm expecting to be in a few days and would rather have too many when they don't take up any space. It depends how far you live from hospital? We live 30 mins away without traffic so DH can't easily nip home.

I'm considering taking another bag in the car with extra clothes, just in case we end up staying in longer.

Pack a dressing gown tie. If you end up in a section you can tie it to the end of the bed and use the rope to pull yourself up (as you wouldn't be able to sit up independently for a couple of weeks without support).