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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

How large is your hospital bag?

21 replies

wibbleymum · 25/03/2008 22:16

I started off trying to fit everything into a little holdall, but once I'd gathered together all my clothes, the baby clothes, nappies, toiletries, and (most important) snacks, I've managed to fill a small cabin bag suitcase and a rucksack and there still isn't quite enough space... anyone else have a ridiculous amount of luggage???

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DonDons · 26/03/2008 08:29

oh yeah - I've got 2 bags - one for me, one for the baby.... started off with one but the list from my hospital is bloody endless. Am sure I won't need half of it.

VictorianSqualor · 26/03/2008 08:41

How much stuff are you taking?
I've only got two changes of clothes in mine, you'll be in your pj's most of the time, and even with a CS won't be in for that long!

I do have two bags though, a holdall with my toiletries/clothes/pj's/dressing gown/towel/book etc in and another with nappies/baby clothes/blanket etc

Hersetta · 26/03/2008 09:48

I had two holdalls - one for labour (complete with a couple of changes of nightshirt, snacks and bottles of water for DH, gloucose tablets etc and first outfit and nappy for baby) and a second for after baby arrived which DH retrieve from the car after her arrival which contained more baby clothes, nappys, cotton wool, PJ's for me, slippers, more snacks, arnica, windeze etc. Was really useful as we had to have ECS so I already had enough in the second bag to cover our extended hospital stay.

deaconblue · 26/03/2008 09:51

I took 3 (!) bags in when I had ds and didn't need hardly any of it. It is ridiculous that they even expect you to provide cotton wool and a top and tail bowl ffs. I found I used hardly anything I had packed for labour so I would suggest you start cutting down there, I'm going to buy travel size versions of my toiletries so they take up less room. I took a teddy bear for ds last time (PFB or what?) and funnily enough he didn't notice it, so I think I'll leave that out this time too

Flight · 26/03/2008 09:55

First time I took a holdall type bag and a large suitcase

I got laughed at

I stayed in for about 36 hours and used practically none of it!

Second time I had him at home but had a small holdall thing packed just in case.

People can always come home and get stuff for you if you end up staying in longer.

I think you just need a couple of little suits and a cardi and hat for baby, an outfit for you to come home in, a towel maybe, not sure...or do they provide towels?

Oh and sanitary towels of course though they might provide those too! I took incontinence pads, they are leakproof, it's like wearing a nappy

deaconblue · 26/03/2008 10:00

Oh and I kept a going home bag for dh to bring in on my last day with swanky "going home" outfit for ds and clothes for me. A word of warning, the size 18 shirt I had got to come home in (am normally a 14) was so tight across my boobs as my milk had come in that I looked indecent! Also couldn't get any shoes on my puffy feet and ended up walking to car in the rain in those disposable flip flops they give you with a pedicure . This time an even more massive top and proper flip flops will be ready

reikizen · 26/03/2008 10:04

I am amazed how much couples bring into hospital, enough for a minibreak some of em! Don't forget there will probably be shops in the hospital and people can nip home for things both before and after the birth.

missvicki · 26/03/2008 17:52

Argh! Just packed my hospital bag and could only fit it all in a suitcase and thats essentials for me and baby!
Got a seperate holdal with added extras like more nappies for longer stay etc and my going home clothes but am worried they will comment on the size of suitcase as it's not small!

FourPlusOne · 26/03/2008 18:07

I had a smallish bag for labour with the usual bits and pajamas to wear after having a shower (so toiletries etc in this bag also). Then a small bag with baby things in it. Had a separate bag with things in for overnight stay, and DH went to fetch it once we were all sorted out. Then sent him home with labour bag and dirty clothes!

After all that organising I still managed to forget an outfit for coming home in and the top and trousers DH picked out for me were an awful combo. I know no one can be bothered to glam up for coming home but I wouldn't have minded something half decent. Looked a real scruff (learnt my lesson and remembered to pack something the second time).

BearMama · 27/03/2008 10:19

I am due any day now and mine is like a flight bag because I've put things like dressing gown and maternity pads in it. But its full and I still need to take towels, pillows etc!

lizziemun · 27/03/2008 11:26

I would pack only what you need for 1 night as your DH/P can bring anything if you need anything else.

Beeper · 27/03/2008 12:22

Why do you need a swanky outfit for coming home. Surely something that washes well and is not to expensive is more practical. You hardly feel like a glamour puss when your leaking from every porthole. lol

deaconblue · 27/03/2008 12:56

oh no, swanky outfit for ds not me. I had jogging bottoms and voluminous top!

EmmaKateLouise · 27/03/2008 14:13

OH MY GOD! Bearmama, do I need to take towels??? Like normal towels or are you talking about special towels??

(You wouldn't think I'd done this before, would you?! But I can't remember a blooming thing!!)

alexpolismum · 27/03/2008 14:55

What on earth are you all packing??? I had a very small bag - just my pyjamas, dressing gown, underwear and toiletries, plus two baby outfits (we were supplied with little hospital gowns for the babies). If you find you need anything else, get dh to bring it. Dh brought me something to go home in.

BearMama · 27/03/2008 15:44

EKL, I would like a water birth and the thought of there being no towels, or some crappy small towel...shudder. If I dont use it that's fine but I want to know its there!

EmmaKateLouise · 27/03/2008 15:58

BearMama, that makes more sense now! I was really panicking for a moment there! I had a private room first time round and wondered if in the communial wards there were no towels!

Harrybee · 27/03/2008 15:59

When i was in hospitak having my son i took 2 bags, one for me and one for him. You dont need as much as they say, DH can always bring you things the next day. Its nice to have some comforting things though. Goos luck!

deaconblue · 27/03/2008 20:14

my hospital you have to take towels as they don't provide them (same with ds although different part of the country). Midwife gave me a list of what I need to pack, you should be able to request one

Mum2b2BabyRoo · 27/03/2008 21:19

Do you really have to take a top and tail bowl?!?

I have 2 bags - one holdall with nighties, nappies, pads, cotton wool, breast pads, bum cream, towels, baby clothes and going home clothes for me, and a seperate labour bag (which is actually my nappy bag!) with clothing for baby, 2 nappies, magicool, nightie and that's it for now! My DH can't believe how much stuff I have to take - he imagined me taking just the nappy bag! ha ha

EllieG · 27/03/2008 21:23

I have 2 bags - cabin bag size one for me and one for baby. Don't think have packed enough really - Have packed couple sets pj's and a comfy outfit - but can't fit any more in! I figure DP can bring in more clothes if I need 'em. I will get a couple of comfy outfits ready and tell him where they are so he doesn't have to use his initiative though as god knows what would result in me wearing

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