Hospital bag

[Mumtobe2023]

Hi all. I'll be 30 weeks pregnant on Monday. How soon did everyone pack their hospital bag?

Also, has anyone got any helpful hospital bag check lists?

Thank you in advance ☺️ ❤️

No suggestions, I’m a week ahead of you and completely unprepared for a c section rapidly approaching 😅

Olive oil. If you can get a bit on baby's bum before the first poo then it's so much easier to Clean off, not all sticky and horrible. Not always possible but just in case.

Vending machine coins.

I am 37 weeks and still have not packed anything.

Just finished mine (I'm 39 weeks ) - am planning a homebirth but packed a bag just in case

For me:
Maternity pads x2 packets
Big pants
Pyjamas - loose with button down shirt
Button down nightshirt
Breast pads
Toiletries (shampoo, toothpaste, lipbalm, moisturiser)
Ear plugs
Flipflops for showering
Comfy socks
Something to travel home in
Big zip up hoodie (although I think hospitals are always too warm)
Phone charger
Tens machine
Nipple cream
£10
Snacks...
Waterbottle

For baby:
10 nappies of size 0 and 1
two vests
two sleepsuits
blanket
cardigan
wipes and cotton wool
for theatre bag: sandwich bag with a hat, vest, babygrow and nappy in
starwrap

Think that's it?!

I was about 35 weeks tried to be so organised and ended up taking aload of stuff that I didn't need which made it annoying to unpack when I came home.
Take the basics for yourself and your baby and it will make life alot easier! Don't forget phone charger though!

Pack a very long phone charger instead of a normal length one. Often the plugs are behind the hospital beds and a normal charger may not reach.

Lots of snacks both savoury and sweet as if you give birth in the evening you wont get more than toast until breakfast and you don't know what you will fancy.

Sports drink like lucozade to get energy levels up during or after.

comfy clothes for after.

Don't use olive oil on newborn skin 🤨 not sure why that was suggested tbh.

I'm 32+5 with twins and have some packed.
I need to pack the rest!

spare hat and spare blanket for baby! Mine has sicked up over hers in the first day. I'd also take more than 2 vests for the same poo and sick reason.

Travel hairbrush, you may not grab your normal handbag in an emergency

flannel for holding down there when going to the toilet for the first day or two (especially if you have had stitches which is likely if it's your first).

Also a book or ipad for something to do if you have to stay in for a couple of nights after baby is born. You won't get much sleep but baby will and to be honest it's pretty boring.

It’s apparently recommended that your birth partner (if you have one) does the actual packing because they are most likely person to be getting stuff from the bag and it’s more helpful for them to know where everything is.

Although my OH is totally useless if I rely on that we may never pack a hospital bag 😂

I’m miles away from due date but my friend sent me hers:

For me:
Clothing
Nighties (for birth)
Nursing nighties (for after)
Dressing gown
Comfy socks
Bikini top for pool
Disposable pants
Maternity pads
Underwear (high waisted, comfy)
Breast pads
Nursing bra/sleeping bra
Going home outfit
Flip flops (for shower)
Towel (for shower)
Laundry bag

Toiletries
Toothbrush & toothpaste
Face wipes
Face wash
Shower gel
Shampoo & conditioner
Deodrant
Hairbrush
Hair ties/headbands
Water spray
Lip balm
Nipple cream
Tea tree
Arnica

Other
Hospital notes
Tens machine + spare batteries
Hot water bottle
Eyemask
Paracetamol and ibuprofen
Pillow
Mobile & phone charger
iPad & charger
Airpods
Speakers & charger
Water bottle
Drinks & snacks (glucose tablets/energy bars)
Vitamins
Battery operated tea/fairy lights

For Baby:
Water wipes
Cotton wool
Nappies size 1
Scratch mits
Hat x2
Socks
Baby bodysuits x3-4
Baby sleepsuits x3-4
Going home outfit
Muslins x5
Baby towel
Baby blanket
Swaddling blanket
Sudacrem
Car seat
Pram suit
Colostrum

For Partner:
Change of top
Food/snacks
Blanket
Toiletries

@Overthebow amazing thank you! First baby so knew there would be some things missing...useful thread!

Painkillers, they never get round on time with them, paracetamol & Ibuprofen.

I packed mine at 32 weeks all summer clothes, day I was in labour looked out the window - thick snow so repacked lol..

Part from the normal stuff. Lip balm. Honestly sweated so much my lips was dry. Snacks lol

Did it this time around about 32 weeks. Well, I started on it then, and I have almost finished it now at 37 weeks. Just got to add my phone charger and plug.

My top tip is to bring slippers to walk to the bathroom and a comfortable pillow because the ones there are awful! Good luck xxxx

Aside from the usual baby stuff, take an eye mask, ear plugs, earphones, phone charger (for sleeping and coping on the ward after and also eye mask can help tune everyone out during labour) and anything you want for the birth to create a good atmosphere to help the oxytocin flow e.g. battery powered fairy lights or tea lights, bluetooth speaker for music, dressing gown and slippers, your own pillow.

I used olive oil and cotton wool to clean baby's bum for first couple of days too, it does make it easier! You could also try sunflower oil.

And snacks! Sweets are good during labour, crisps, cereal bars, lucozade...

@Hrf1503 great list!

Thank you all so much for the responses! 😍🥰❤️

Tracker bars
Lansinoh (doubles up for nipples and lip balm)