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

Original poster

Hospital Bag

21 replies

Brs12 · 02/10/2023 15:26

Hiya,
This probably sounds like a silly question but I was just wondering how big everyone’s hospital bags are/were. I have just ordered a 40L gym type bag for me and already have a smaller duffel bag for baby but I’m now thinking it might be too small?
I don’t want to over do it and look like I’ve packed for a 2 week holiday but also want to make sure I have enough room for the essentials.
If me and baby do stay in for longer than expected my husband can always bring extras but we live around 35 minutes away from the hospital and it can take over an hour to get there in busy periods so he can’t really just nip home and back for something if that makes sense.

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tlw14 · 02/10/2023 15:28

Don't worry about overdoing it- you will be thankful you have everything you need when you are there :)

Summer2424 · 02/10/2023 15:36

Hi @Brs12
I had a big holiday type bag with all my stuff and 3 huge carrier bags filled to the brim with stuff. I wish i had got a bigger bag, it was so ridiculous taking literally 4 bags around with me. The gym bag is a good idea, i'm going to use that this time x

YellowHatt · 02/10/2023 15:42

I’m going in the advice of: One bag for you big enough for pre and post birth. And one bag for baby. (Partner has their own bag.)

Then everything you think you might need but you’re not sure about pack anyway and keep
it in the boot of the car.

Original poster
Brs12 · 02/10/2023 16:28

Good idea @YellowHatt I think I will sort out what I definitely need in my bag for now and then do a spares/extras bag to keep in the car.

OP posts:
Caspianberg · 02/10/2023 16:32

I barely used anything. In Friday night, left Monday. Baby born Saturday afternoon.
Baby nappies, and clothes were all provided by hospital. So only used his own clothes to come home in.
I just wore leggings and breastfeeding vests for two days, changed to jeans I wore in to go home in.
Snacks I liked were most important

YellowHatt · 02/10/2023 16:41

Caspianberg · 02/10/2023 16:32

I barely used anything. In Friday night, left Monday. Baby born Saturday afternoon.
Baby nappies, and clothes were all provided by hospital. So only used his own clothes to come home in.
I just wore leggings and breastfeeding vests for two days, changed to jeans I wore in to go home in.
Snacks I liked were most important

Clothes were provided by the hospital? Like baby clothes?

DyslexicPoster · 02/10/2023 16:43

I took a cabin size suitcase.wheel's are better. You have to carry it out post birth too. A carrier bag of snacks and food. Ideally your change bag too with the babystuff in that. However I had everything in my case and a top up box at home for dh to brings extras from if needed.

There was no towels on my ward.

If you can find a bag with a sleeve that goes over the case handle that would be even better.

Caspianberg · 02/10/2023 16:45

@YellowHatt - yes. Everything baby related. Clothes/ nappies/ wipes etc. I had packed him like 5 changes of clothes and didn’t use any.

Junibug · 02/10/2023 16:53

Just about to pack mine for the third time. I recommend separating out your stuff from the baby's stuff, especially if you have a large bag as otherwise it all gets muddled together. Maybe keep a small carrier bag in the car with more clothes etc for you just in case you're in longer than planned.

PickledScrump · 02/10/2023 20:11

small, wheely case. Half for your stuff, half for baby’s stuff. Don’t overpack, there’s not loads of space round the beds and you will have to carry it all. Small bag with snacks in. Put a bag with extras in the car. You really don’t need loads of stuff, many first time mums take in far too much stuff.

Original poster
Brs12 · 02/10/2023 20:16

Thanks everyone, I think I’m going to try and keep to basics and hopefully it will fit in the 2 bags I have (1 for me and 1 for baby). I do also have family close by so I’m sure that if I did need anything bringing it wouldn’t be the end of the world anyway, I’m just trying to get organised now so it’s one less thing to overthink 😅
Also, is there anything not recommended on the nhs list online that anyone thinks I should pack 🤔

OP posts:
AutumnLea · 02/10/2023 20:42

I had 4 bags and hardly needed any of it.

Here's a list of everything I actually used:

Me:
Phone
Pjs
Nightshirt
Cardigan
Dressing gown
Maternity pads
Capri suns
Lemon cookies
Toothpaste
Toothbrush
8 hour cream

Baby:
Nappies
2 sleepsuits
2 vests
Cardigan
Blanket
Hat

That was for a 10 hour labour followed by c section and then a 24 hour stay.

What I wished I’d taken:
Painkillers
More snacks

JoyApple · 02/10/2023 23:56

I'm doing a small/medium wheelie for myself and the changing bag/rucksack for baby.

As it's a c-section I'm hoping DH will take his own rucksack for his snacks and bits and pieces.

Coco9910 · 03/10/2023 13:46

I took a small cabin sized suitcase for myself and then a bigger bag for baby’s stuff. Don’t worry about over packing..do what makes you happy and comfortable ☺️

SMG1992 · 03/10/2023 14:57

Thanks for the list @AutumnLea that's super useful.
Interesting you say pain killers though, did hospital not provide you with any?

AutumnLea · 03/10/2023 15:07

I think once I managed to get hold of some ibuprofen after many attempts, maternity wards can get really busy, really wished I'd thought to pack some.

PeopleAreToads · 03/10/2023 15:09

I've just been trying to pack my bag and wondering this! I'm due to be induced at 39 weeks and baby is showing no signs of being ready to come so expecting to be in for a while before she actually arrives

I've got a small cabin sized suitcase for me, gym bag of stuff for the baby/some of my post partum stuff and a carrier bag of snacks. Planning to leave the baby stuff in the car until we see how the induction progresses so I don't look like I'm moving in!

Coco9910 · 03/10/2023 19:33

@AutumnLea definitely take painkillers with you! I had an emergency c section and requested some ibruprofen and it was about an hour before they came back with any, in that time I had managed to fish out my own.

I’d also really recommend taking your pregnancy pillow and big disposable knickers! I wore them when my waters had gone and I wanted to be up and about without just leaking on the floor 😅

Whentwobecomesthree · 03/10/2023 19:53

Very long phone charger

Mini fan. Post natal wards are hotter than hell

7amCoffeeClub · 03/10/2023 20:27

I took a tripp holdall bag for my first, and had both mine and babies stuff in there for labour/immediately after birth. I had our baby changing bag in the car for once we were moved to the ward and another 'long stay' bag that had extra everything (clothes, nappies, maternity pads etc) in the car boot in case I needed to stay in longer. Husband had a backpack with a change of clothes (for him), toiletries, toothbrush, phone chargers and snacks/juice.

It was nice just turning up with one small(ish) bag but knowing I had surplus of everything with us in the boot if needed.

I think this time I'll do similar, and I am planning on using small packing cubes to keep mine and babies stuff separate and easy to access.

am3017 · 03/10/2023 23:52

I used a cabin size suitcase, one side had my stuff and the other side had babies stuff…was plenty room on each side for everything we needed and meant only 1 case to be wheeled out with baby when leaving!

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