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Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Hospital bag essentials

15 replies

lmw88 · 30/03/2023 22:44

Hi all, I'm 34wks FTM and starting to think about packing my hospital bag. For those who have experience, it would be great to get advice on the essentials to pack.

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Regularsizedrudy · 30/03/2023 22:54

For you - A couple of loose nighties, a couple of changes or light comfy clothes (I find it’s always hot in hospitals) LOTS of maternity pads, general toiletries, a towel (didn’t use mine but just in case) MANY SNACKS.
For baby - nappies, outfit inc hat, cellular blanket, cotton wool pads

Regularsizedrudy · 30/03/2023 22:57

Changes OF *

Sallyh87 · 31/03/2023 07:49

Handheld electric fan (wards are hotter than sun sometimes!)
A plug extender board is always handy, generally you have one plug sockets really far behind your bed
Eye mask and ear plugs

33goingon64 · 31/03/2023 07:52

Top tip: get your birth partner to pack the bag so they know what's there and where everything is when you're too busy or distracted. You lay everything out and they pack it.

Kindofcrunchy · 31/03/2023 07:52

Silver nipple cups and nipple cream if breastfeeding, lots of nappies, a few changes of clothes for baby (but not too many, I took five outfits and baby only wore two while we were there).

Gabby82 · 31/03/2023 08:02

Evian water spray, lip balm and cooling foot massage gel were my most valued items!

Twoinapod · 31/03/2023 09:33

Lip balm and a water bottle with a straw. The last thing you want in labour is to be dehydrated. A fan as it’s always so hot. Show your partner where everything is in your bag and also at home so he can bring more if you need it. Plenty of maternity pads.

Jericha · 31/03/2023 10:00

Flip flops for the shower
Big cotton pants sized up, high waisted if c section
Nursing strappy tops and long cardi so can get out of nightclothes
Long phone charger lead
Pillow from home, more comfy and helpful for nursing
Snacks for you or for partner (as they don't get fed)
A couple of outfits for baby in different sizes

Ciaonow · 31/03/2023 10:06

Congrats OP! I’m pregnant too (2nd time round this time) and here is my list.

For me - 4 pairs big black knickers, a big dark towel, hair towel wrap, bobbles, hairband, maternity pads, breast pads, 2 pairs maternity or big leggings and 2 big comfy tops, 3 maternity sleep bras, 2 very loose nighties, a pair of slippers, a pair of flip flops, nipple balm, shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, moisturiser, toothbrush and toothpaste, lip balm and peppermint tea (helps with trapped wind if you need a C-section) oh and a few snacks - dry roasted peanuts and hobnobs were my go to last time despite having endless options of snacks. I also took loads of socks last time but only wore socks to come home as it was so hot all the time! So I’m only taking 1 pair of socks.

Then for baby - a pack of size 1 nappies, 2 packs wipes, 4 muslins, 4 sleeveless vests, 1 cardigan, 4 sleep suits with 1 to be a bit fancier than the others as a ‘going home outfit’, 2 cellular blankets and a little hat (only taking size 0-3 months - my last baby was huge and didn’t fit in any newborn stuff I’d got for her plus bigger is comfier anyway!) I didn’t take a dummy last time as I thought it would interfere with breastfeeding but I will be taking one this time as it helps settle baby and I’ve breastfed for 14 months.

Ciaonow · 31/03/2023 10:08

Oh and a very long phone charger cable. Plus my own pillow! Hospital pillows are rubbish. I also took my iPad with some downloaded films and tv programmes from Netflix which was helpful when feeding baby for 4 hours straight the first night!

SandyDanny · 31/03/2023 10:22

Agree with own pillow. And make sure it's not a white pillowcase so that it doesn't get mixed up with hospital ones. (Although they are so thin it would be hard!) Other essentials for me were a handheld fan, lip balm, flip flops, dressing gown and still Lucosade.

You can find a good list on this website - lots of suggestions of things you may have forgotten but they are all in order of popularity so you can see how essential stuff is. It's pretty useful.

SunhatsAndFlipFlops · 31/03/2023 10:31

For me:
(I had an induction, so I knew I needed to take a little extra. I was in for 2 nights)

dressing gown
a towel
slippers
flip flops - for the shower
fluffy socks
2 old oversized T-shirts (labour is messy)
a pair of comfy pjs
about 5 pairs of knickers and a couple of nursing bras
jogging bottoms and a couple of vest tops
’going home’ outfit - leggings, T-shirt & hoody.
a packet of maternity knickers (the disposable ones - these were great, much comfier then pads)
spritz your bits healing spray
lip balm - lips get really dry from gas & air
water bottle with straw
hair bobbles
a couple of face cloths
soap
my usual skincare & make up + a small mirror, together in one make up bag)
hair brush/toothbrush/toothpaste
A long phone charger
snacks (sweets/nuts/bananas and satsumas)
a couple of bottles of a sports drink ( for extra energy during labour!)
my kindle

For baby

Nappies & nappy cream
cotton wool pads
x5 baby gros
3 sleep suits
a cardigan
a little wooly hat
x2 cellular blankets

Check with the labour ward if they have fans etc - we had fans in each ward room and delivery room , so didn’t need to bring one.

lmw88 · 31/03/2023 17:25

Thanks everyone great ideas to get me organised!

OP posts:
Liveafr · 31/03/2023 17:34

In addition to the above:

  • A peri botte
  • Nipple cream if you plan to breastfeed
Belami · 31/03/2023 20:49

Are hospitals okay with taking a big suitcase for all this stuff or have we got to cram all this into one of those small ones🤪?

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