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???

Kat, it is not nonsense. The overall level of homebirths here is

I arrived for DS's birth as a bit of an emergency (preeclampsia, ambulanced in),and had no nappies, wipes, pads. The hospital did provide, but very grudgingly and one item at a time, with lots of telling me how lucky I was that they had managed to find a single pad / nappy, and tutting that I had not thought to bring my own cotton wool. So yes, they will provide in the end, but it's pretty unpleasant being tutted at when you are feeling so vulnerable. Don't worry about the giant bag. Everyone has at least one giant bag!

I'm sorry, but this is just really disgusting that they act like this. I have no idea why this bothers me so much... maybe it's the pregnancy hormones.
It just makes me so angry whenever I think about it. It makes me want to go into debt to pay for a private birth.

That is so depressing isn't it.

My husband just reminded me (I'd forgotten) that when I gave birth, after I was taken back to my room, the nurse actually brought a little cake to celebrate DD's birth day! It did say 'happy birth day' in pink icing and everything.... How sweet is that?

The NHS hospital I gave birth in supplied maternity pads, all baby changing things ie nappies, cotton wool etc, also blankets and towels. Maybe in Scotland it is different?

Stating the obvious but they give you a baby!

I can't remember feeling at all upset about this - maybe low expectations is the key to coping with the NHS

I think I was excited about providing stuff for my own baby [soon wore off tbh] - didn't occur to me that they would or should provide loads of stuff for the baby or for me. I guess I would have thought, why on earth should they?

There definitely were nappies around, but I was poncing about with some Precious First Born Only nappies made of recycled goat droppings or something so wasn't interested.

When we were readmitted to the Paeds Ward 4 weeks later, everything was available as required. More than I expected tbh.

Im really shocked ! some of you ladies get nothing!!!

I have had 3 section births going to have my 4th in nov and in my hospital we get anything we need....

We get pads till we go home , a little bowl and cotton wool for top and tailing i was given 3 towels ( but i choose to use my own ) we had a starter pack of nappies and a packet of wipes if you wanted them , unlimted supply to baby milk plus all the bounty freebies!! tbh anything i required i was given.... this was nhs wales.. i had my own private room with wardrobe inc hangers!!! and washing facilties and a tea/coffee ladie would come around 4 times a day!.....beds were also changed everyday

bev, they don't 'give' you a baby! You make your own, they just help you get it out...

i got sweet FA (except dirty surroundings and surly staff).took my own nappies,pads, toiletries, cotton wool, oh and old trainers to wear in shower so wouldn't slip

ScottishMummy - which hospital were you in?

I would never want them to provide everything for my baby, or for me. It would just be nice to think that there was less to worry about - e.g. if I managed to soil all my towels I could use hospital ones. Or, if somehow I was brought in as an emergency while separated from my hospital bag, I wouldn't have to stress about getting hold of the damn thing.

Hi Aurorec,

I am currently visiting relatives in the US, and you guys get everything here. Numbing sprays, ice packs, etc. If you have loving family in the US, tell them to ship this stuff over to you ASAP.

X

i delivered in London. towels they will give you, but they are bitty scratchy.take your own soft towels