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

Original poster

Bag for Baby... Bag for Mummy... Bag for Birth...

33 replies

NikNakF · 30/05/2008 13:53

Hi guys,

Sorry, I know this has been done before but I thought it may be useful as a reminder for all those packing their bags in anticipation of their new arrival.

What would you recommend packing for baby?

What would you recommend packing for mum?

What would you recommend packing for labour?

Thanks in advance!

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
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fifisworld · 30/05/2008 14:09

I think i took :

For baby
2/3 Vests
2/3 Sleepsuits
a pair of scratch mitts
Hat
Nappies
Cotton wool

Then have a outfit/coat etc at home for dp/dh to bring in when you are ready to leave. You dont get much room round the hospital beds

For You
Something to wear in labour
Clean nightie
Big Pants
Loads of pads
Slippers
Toiletries
Something comfy to come home in, again dp/dh can bring this in for you

For labour
Snacks
Juice
Magazines
Ipod

Cant think of anything else as i had 2 sections so never really needed much

JessJess3908 · 30/05/2008 14:17

I've been following these threads closely and the most obscure items i am now convinced i need are:

  • plastic jug
  • bendy straws

Also, bag for Dad:

  • camera
  • more snacks (he's not nicking mine)
Original poster
NikNakF · 30/05/2008 15:07

Thanks that's really helpful!

OP posts:
tinkhasabunintheoven · 30/05/2008 15:16

with dd1 i packed for me :-

lucozade sweets (for energy)
polo mints (soothing and for fresh breath)
chocolate bars
biscuits
juice cartons
i ate loads while in labour
disposable knickers (a god sent)
spare normal pants
nighties

for baby

a couple of sleepsuits
a couple of outfits
socks,nappies,scratch mitts(essential)
blankets

Holly29 · 30/05/2008 15:19

I would add -

  • big black pants which you can chuck afterwards
  • some make up (I wanted to look good in the post birth photos, v important!!)
  • a big sign which says 'Please all go home now' for when you're really tired and just need some sleep

xx

excitedfornumber2 · 31/05/2008 08:35

i have just packed my bags for hospital, the things i have included that arent listed are :

Hair Band for me incase i want to tie my hair up.

Cardigan and blanket for baby (You never know with this lovely british weather!!)

Pablop · 31/05/2008 08:37

Not my idea but a good one, flip flips for shower etc.

fymandbean · 31/05/2008 08:46

Just a thought but I'd have a second bag ready at home waiting in case you are kept in for a few days - rather than relying on hubby to find the extra stuff!

I was in 3 days with DS and needed (in total) 12 babygros, 12 vests, 3 sets of pyjamas for me, 12 pairs big value knickers from tesco (same price as disposable and much more comfy), big pack night time pads, some cartons of juice Tesco 9 small multipack) and some chocolate (mini bars).

I'd put 6 vests, 6 babygros, 1pr pj's etc etc in bag one and the rest in bag 2...if you're in overnight you'll just need bag 1 and then bag two can appear if you need it!

littleboyblue · 31/05/2008 08:51

My biggest bit of advice for hospital bag is pack some flash bathroom wipes or something so you can give the bath a little clean before you get in it, some of them are not nice!
Also I took some wet wipes for myself just in case. Good job as I had to have a spinal block in the end and couldn't get out of bed for hours, but no-one came to clean me up so did it myself with wipes, it's also so hot in there that you might want the odd freshen up.

PortAndLemon · 31/05/2008 09:20

You do want the bendy straws. I forgot them this time and was (metaphorically) kicking myself.

And bring big fluffy towels in dark colours. Even if the hospital has towels, they won't be very nice.

star6 · 31/05/2008 10:30

portandlemon - towels for you or the baby and why dark colours?
littleboyblue - what's with the bath? do you have to get in the bath after the birth?? Can't you just slip on flip flops and get in the shower? Sorry if the answers seem obvious... i have never given birth before. Great idea for the flash wipes if I do have to get into the bath there! yuck.

littleboyblue · 31/05/2008 11:34

Hey star6, you want towels for you, you shouldn't bath new baby straight away as it'll dry out delicate skin. The reason for dark colours is for the bleeding. When you get out of bath/shower if you bleed on towel you won't want everyone to know about it.
I'm quite tall and couldn't stand straight under shower head in hospital! I was also told that when I needed to pee for the first time I should do it in bath as it would sting. I couldn't do it in bath so had to go normal way and it didn't sting and I had a bad tear and way cut, they wouldn't tell me how many stitches but were there for a while!

BlueDragonfly · 31/05/2008 11:56

i used my nightie (to give birth in) and my towel with ds2 and ds3. That was it!

Would recommend croc type shoes rather than flip flops, you may be a bit wobbly afterwards and don't want to have to concentrate on keeping your shoes on! Also, they are good for instead of slippers as postnatal wards are very warm.

A basic bag would have -

For you...
something to labour and birth in (old t shirt/nightie)
fresh PJs/nightie for afterwards
big dark towel
change of clothes for going home (in case your waters break al over the clothes you arrived in)
drink in sports cap type bottle
wash bag with maternity pads, disposable pants, toothbrush, toothpaste, hair brush and hairbobble)

For baby...
a few nappies
wipes/cotton wool
2/3 vests
2/3 sleep suits
hat
maybe a blanket

everything else you can send someone home for

tinkhasabunintheoven · 31/05/2008 12:01

oh ye forgot wipes and flipflops both essential

star6 · 31/05/2008 15:09

Thanks littleboyblue...
I've only recently found out about the tearing... I'm 21 weeks but no one really walks you through the whole birth thing until later on I guess. That sounds quite scary.

littleboyblue · 31/05/2008 15:43

Sorry, didn't want to scare you!! Don't worry about it, and trust me it's really not as bad as you think it'll be. You won't feel the tear, you won't care about anything but getting that baby out.
Don't let any horror stories get to you, I was told shocking, completely inappropriate stories when I was pg and you gotta just ignore them all.
Enjoy every moment of it coz it'll all be forgotten in a number of weeks.

PortAndLemon · 31/05/2008 16:50

Shower may be fine depending on your hospital -- mine had a removable shower head so I could direct it at my nether regions and pee in the shower.

The most likely thing is that you don't tear at all or have a first- or second-degree tear, which are uncomfortable but nothing to worry about. Third- or fourth-degree tears are more serious but relatively unusual.

tinkhasabunintheoven · 31/05/2008 17:09

after i gave birth they made me have a shower had to go in on own luckily they had a seat in there that i could sit on as so exhausted could barly stand.
i had 3rd degree tearing with 1st ouch you dont feel the tearing at the time just very heavy and sore after couldnt walk for a few weeks. dont worry about it!!

star6 · 31/05/2008 17:21

the thought of that is terrifying... not sure why it's never crossed my mind before, I mean... surely something like that would be a risk squeezing something so large out of there!! This is going to bring on some nightmares...but better to be prepared for it!!

star6 · 31/05/2008 17:26

thanks littleboyblue... no worries! I was bound to hear about it sooner or later! Glad I heard about it here first where everyone is so supportive, informative and helpful than hearing those stories that you were told.

BrummieOnTheRun · 31/05/2008 17:29

I'd also take bags of dried fruit if you're having a vaginal delivery... eat it by the truckload after delivery to ensure you don't get constipated afterwards! (A warning: midwives become obsessed with your bowel movements after delivery!)

PortAndLemon · 31/05/2008 17:35

Even if you're not having a vaginal delivery... surgery is constipating and the painkillers they give you are also constipating.

littleboyblue · 31/05/2008 21:17

Just remembered the constipation. (see star6, no need to worry) I stopped taking my iron tablets for that, should prob get on them again, maybe then my head won't feel too heavy for my body!
I had third degree tear too but like tink said I don't think it that common.

Please please please remember to take some food, especially if you plan to breastfeed. My hospital didn't feed me from when I got ther 7pm friday till I stole a sandwich off the cart at 2pm sunday!!

whomovedmychocolate · 31/05/2008 21:22

Money for Patientline card so you can Mumsnet from your bed. Money for car park.

twinklytoes · 31/05/2008 21:27

i put a blanket, bodysuit, babygrow, hat and nappy into a seperate bag within the labour bag and told DH this is what he had to hand to the midwife after delivery. DH didn't watch me pack the bags and i thought this would be easier when the time came.

I went through 4 blankets with dd2 in the 24hrs we were in hosp.

one of those freebie changing mats from the front of baby mags or with the huggies baby club - saved wet bedding whilst I practised nappy changes!