My hospital bag seems suspiciously small! WHat have I forgotten?

[littlelamb]

With dd I took a huugggee suitcase with me as well as a seperate one for her. I have had a frantic day of tidying and getitng prepared (don't know why, I am 34 weeks today, it just seems so urgent all of a sudden) and my living room is now sparkling and dd has helped me to make room for the baby things We have just packed out bags (hers is mainly full of all the dinosaurs she might need ) and my bag just seems so small. I have 3 big packs of pads, some breast pads, t shirt to wear in labour, as well as tankini top in case I want to get into the pool, enormous M & S granny pants, arnica and lansinoh. My nightie for hospital is in the wash, as are my socks. I suppose I have packed light as I would like to get home quite soon afterwards, but can you think of anything obvious I have missed? Also, does early nesting mean early baby ? Dd was 11 days late, and I am impatient already!

a towel, shampoo and shower gel for your wash afterwards and a change of clothes to wear home? I am aauming that you have another bag of babies things?

a nice big towel. hospital ones are tiny.

Snacks and drinks. Am assuming you have a separate baby bag otherwise there's all that stuff you're missing!

Yes, the baby bag is quite small too! I hadn't thought of a towel, so I suppose that will bulk it out a bit. Clothes for me too. I am starting to see what kind of things I am forgetting. ie AFTER the birth stuff. I Was induced last time so I was already in my nightie when labour started, so had a clean set of clothes.

Your frivolity?

is that a word

Your own cosiest pillow? - that'll fill it up (but is a great idea)

Have you got stuff for wearing to go home, and baby stuff of course? Also chocolate and chocolate biscuit stash was a major part of mine.

Ooo snowleopard I took my own pillow last time and it was wonderful

Here's what I'm taking:

Clothes
Nightie / t-shirt
Shorts (the hosp was so hot last time but I hate wandering around in my nightie)
2 vest tops
2 bras
5 knickers
Trackie trousers
Cardigan
Warm socks
Plain flipflops (as slippers but also for showering)
Dressing gown?

Sponge bag
Tooth brush
Toothpaste
Small shampoo
Small conditioner
Soap
Face cream
Hand cream
Bum cream
Lip balm
Comb / brush
Hair bobbles
Lansinoh
Breast pads
2 towels

SMALL PLASTIC JUG - the most important thing to take.
Maternity pads (about 20ish I think)

Other
Hospital notes
Baby's red book
Mobile
Money
Book / mags
Carrier bags
TENS machine

Baby
10 Nappies
4 vests
4 gros
2 socks
Mits
Hat
Cardigan
Cotton wool
4 muzzies
Baby towel
Baby blanket
Snowsuit

Carseat

Snacks
Sports bottle water

Small plastic jug?? Explain please!!! I am 36 weeks with no 2 and have yet to pack my bag - intrigued by this!

yes explain, no small plastic jug in my hospital bag either. But your mashoooooooosive list, Broccoli, has reminded me that I haven't packed my flip flops yet

Oh good lord, you mustn't even think of giving birth without a small plastic jug .

You use it to pour cool water over your fanjo when you wee after giving birth, and for several days afterwards.

I had forgotten the horror of post birth wees. Not to mention toilet action of the other kind. Thats a great tip, I shall get a plastic jug tomorrow and add it to the expanding pile.

broccoli your list sounds very long- do you really need 4 vests and 4 gros and a snowsuit? and how can you already have a red book??

sorry, i am also a bit clueless despite this being my second. i really don't remember anything.

oh yes- i would add some antiseptic wipes to wipe basins and loos...

I got my red book given at glucose test.

yes don't forget antiseptic wipes and also bendy straws so you can drink lying down whilst in labour.

Flip flops is a good one, I didn't feel great in the shower thinking about all the hundreds of feet that had been in there before me!

errrrm - what's a red book?

It's not that long is it?

I suppose you could manage with a couple of vests and gros, but you'd have to hope not to have a meconium pootastrophe.

The snowsuit is for bringing him/her home in.

Don't fret about the red book. I didn't have one last time and they gave me one in hosp. For some reason my midwife has already given me one this time.

I have pinched your list Broccoli, will come in handy in August

Yours,
Lazygirl

Camera!

Oh yes. Camera not on my list as that's DP's only responsibility!

If I have a DC3, my list will probably look like this:

One blackcurrant glucose tablet.

The End.

Are you absolutely positive you've packed enough dinosaurs?

xx

great list broccoli

I replace the jug with squirt bottle (any sports water bottle will do) + tea tree oil

Also take detoll wipes to clean up surfaces in bathroom

Camera and Ipod

I have copied your list into Excel for 6 months time! Thanks!

I think your list is fab broccoli - Don't think it is that long. I have actually put some baby items to one side to pack (a huge improvement on the last two births where bag was packed by DH as I was wheeled into ambulance ) and I have more sleesuits and vests than you. I have taken 3 vests and 3 sleepsuits but in both Newborn and 0-3 month sizes just to cover all sizes of baby.

littlelamb - not sure early nesting means early baby. I was nesting like mad at 33 weeks but now I can't get the motivation at all (36.5 weeks) and DDs have undone most of my hard nesting anyway

slight confession...I'm posting all this so I know where to come to find broccoli's list when / if I get round to packing.

btw - I must remember drinks for when first on ward - my epidurals took a while to wear off and I was stranded with a tiny glass of warm squash (after 36 hours of gas and air I needed a little more than that tbh!)

Actually I put the list together a coiuple of months back by searching old MN topics for recommendations, so it's a team effort .

Definitely an idea to take 2 sizes of vest and gro - my 1st was a 9lb-er and went straight into 0-3.