What do they give you in hospital?

[aurorec]

OK this is a bit random but I had my 1st child in the States, and the 'goodies' they gave you over there were pretty good.
I got a huge supply of pads for me, nappies for the baby, Lansinoh cream and breast pads for nursing.

I'm having my 2nd at St Thomas (in London) in 3 weeks, I'm just packing my bag right now, and was wondering what I needed to take with me. Will they give me nappies and pads there, or am I expected to bring my own?
Anyone who's given birth there???

Considering everything we seem to need...

What kind of bag are you taking? I don't have a holdall, so it will be a tiny back pack or a small suitcase

...is a small suitcase ridiculous?

I gave birth at St Thomas' 3.3yrs ago. You get nothing.

Perhaps some cotton buds for a couple of nappy changes, but take EVERYTHING.
Nappies, pads for you, wipes, the LOT.

I had a great birth there though, lovely midwife with me the whole time. Relaxing two days afterwards too. Just really, really, really glad I had a fully packed bag.

Had my second in Holland about 8mths ago and they supplied everything. There were pads in all the loos, so that was easy, nappies also given, wipes, creams, lotions, everything you could want, and more.
Also a nice experience. They clearly just have more money to spend on the extras.

I had a overnight bag that had clothes for two days, a small full pack of nappies, the wipes, two big packs of pads, loads of babygros..... my toiletries.
Can't remember if they supplied showercream or shampoo at St Thomas', but I'd assume not!

Also, don't forget some muslin squares. Very handy for all sorts of spillages and cuddles.

What do you get in hospital? Weak tea and crap cold toast!! Get someone to bring you some real food after!!

bergentulip - interesting that those things are thought of in the uk as "extras".

Starlight - That's not normal!!

I had all my dd's at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Kings Lynn, i didn't even get bloody breakfast as i wasn't there the day before so hadn't ordered any My mum had to change my bloody bedding after i had given birth as they wanted me to keep it!

Keep lying in it i mean, rather than keep it...

My toast and tea tasted delicious, as I'd had so much difficulty eating/keeping things down before birth (acid).

van you pack food in your hospital bag and eat it there after?

can not van!

Actually, my care for the most part was great, but right enough, I sat in blood soaked sheets for three days!! And even then I had to ask. I think they just presumed it had been done or something... This time I'll know better....

3 days??
Thanks for the heads up. How awful.
I change my own sheets every other day and I haven't given birth on them!

OMG! Every other day?? You're really good! Do you have children (I'm hoping I can use that as an excuse for not doing the same!)

No, I'm 31+5 with my first I'm sure it will all change when he arrives!! I'm a bit ocd about cleaning and laundry and washing up... I'm curious to see what happens when the LO arrives. I'd like to THINK I can keep it up. But after all of the stories on MN, the reality is starting to sink in...

Where I gave birth - nothing. No towels, pads, clean sheets (5 nights in the same ones)etc. DS was prem and in SCBU so they did provide some clothes and nappies for him, but made it clear that DH should go out and buy some pronto.

My doula got me a cup of tea, but otherwise that was the only food or drink that I got given - you had to know when it was a mealtime and go to the ward to get it, but as I have coeliac disease and have to eat a gluten free diet, they couldn't manage to feed me. No toast after labour etc. DH brought all my food in.

starlight - pillows are my #1 thing to bring! I have one specialist one to support my neck, but my most comfortable position is on all fours resting on a pile of pillows, and I've been advised by friends who've given birth in London to take 3-4 with me, in ugly and obviously non-NHS pillowcases!

Also been officially warned that they provide food for me (hmm...) but not for MrNC, so will have a stock of food for both of us. The physio today recommended bringing your own birthing ball if you want as even though they have one per room they keep going missing.

At least clothes (for me, baby, MrNC), maternity and breast pads, nappies, towels, nightshirts + dressing gown are all quite squashy, so everything fits in a small holdall so far. I think SIL2 had one small holdall for her/baby and one for food - and almost all the food was gone two days later, admittedly mainly eaten by her partners.

At C&W, they supplied maternity pads as and when I needed them, although I had brought my own as well. You may get a towel and/or pillow but they may not be very big or nice. I took my own towel and pillow and was thankful. Used the pillow from car to hospital until I was discharged. Always good to have extra/nice pillows. Same with towels. I took one big one and a face cloth. Number one recommended item: flip flops. Nothing more disgusting than a post-natal ward communal shower.

Baby will get a nappy or two but you'll need to bring your own for remainder of stay, I would think.

Bring anything you think will make you more comfortable. I had an emerg c-section and was glad for everything I brought, including snacks as they forgot to bring my meals twice!!

Oh, and packing tip: pack items in ziploc bags so they are easy to grab and you're not digging through a massive bag. I labelled them "boobs" and "bum", etc, so even DH could find what I needed. Ziplocs are then great for dirty clothes, etc, for trip home.

I think it must depend on the hospital as when I had DS at Wishaw general in Scotland, they had pads, nappies, formulae, cotton wool, baby powder and baby bath, maternity towels and bath towels. Our sheets were changed daily and the food was edible (NHS food is never great).

I took all mine and DS's toiletries and just used the towels.

I would however recommend flip flops for the shower!

Star6 - That's fine, that makes me feel better!!

Fledtoscotland - I agree with the flipflops! Always a good idea!

anyone on here with experience at kingston hospital and how this works there? I'm really nervous now... I'm a bit ocd about being clean and so worried we'll forget something or not have enough pads or something and I'll be stuck bleeding in the taxi on the ride home!! DH doesn't drive (I do) but he can... just doesn't have license here yet. so it's not that easy for him to just "pop out and get some more clothes/nappies/towels...etc. really quickly"
Are you able to drive yourself home after giving birth (if not a c section of course!)?

Upwind - that's nonsense and they are bullying you!

Star - I wouldn't imagine you would want to drive yourself home really. A taxi is probably the best idea. If you are worried about cleanliness then take things that will help you like your own pillow/towels and things. Also those packs of disinfectant wipes you can get in the supermarket are handy as if your toilet etc isn't esp. clean you can do something about it without too much effort.

Although the bleeding will be heavy it is manageable after the first few hours. You could take dark coloured trousers for the journey home just in case of any leaks. I had 4 packs of pads with me (my waters were leaking before labour so was concious of needing a lot), a pack of newborn nappies (you will use a lot until you get the hang of things and newborns go through 10-12 a day at first) and 5/6 outfits (vest and sleepsuit) for DD. There really is no shame in turning up with a load of stuff - although it might clog up your bed and you can always send DH home with things that are dirty as you go along.