Hospital bag - what to pack?

[Deemented]

So i know i'm likely to be in at least 24 hours as i have GD and they need to monitor babys blood sugars.

This is what i have so far - do i need anything else?

For me..

Dressing gown
2 PJ's
Slippers
Warm socks
Knickers that can be thrown away
Nursing bras
Towels
Pads
Breast pads
toiletry bag - deodrants, shampoo, shower gel
Hairbrush
Mobile and charger
Snacks
Soft drinks.

For baby...

Hat
Scratch mits
vests
babygro
snowsuit
nappies
wraps
woolies
nippas
blanket

Anything else i'll need?

I've always taken a couple of sarongs, decorated my bed if I was lingering and made it less sterile looking. Then very handy with t-shirt as a skirt in early stages, or around top half like summer dress when things get heated. Very easy to adjust around any monitoring equipment required also. Goodluck!

stuff to assist you in labour - eg water spray / tens machine and the like?

camera?

dont forget lip balm and some snacks, i can remember asking my DH to find a vending machine in the middle of the night cos i was starvin and couldnt wait till breakfast xx

sorry, didnt read snacks!

My DH bought me the contents of a hospital bag for Christmas. They were:

For the baby:
A pram suit
A pack of scratch mitts
A pack of nappies
A tub of baby wipes
Baby shampoo

For me:
Shower gel
A toothbrush
Toothpaste
Wet wipes
Torilla chips and salsa dip
Softmints
Flying saucers (the sweets)

Ahhhhh, writing that makes me want to give him the biggest hug ever, he tries so hard

Im going to repeat it cos its invaluable

LIPBALM

and bottled water if you want.

A hot water bottle. I was really pleased I took mine. You can put it on your back when you're all done with the labour and you're body is aching all over. It also makes a sterile and cold hospital bed feel a little more cosy and comforting.

Do check with your local hospital what they need you to bring...

Some places require you to take your own towels, some don't..
When DD1 was born you were not ALLOWED in my hospital to provide your own baby grows - you HAD to use those supplied by the hospital with the hopsital logo on. By the time DD2 was born that rule had been completely changed and you now had to bring in your own baby grows or baby would have been naked...

Some places provide nappies, some don't..

If its your first DC, you should get a list if you attend the hospitals parentcraft classes in advance.

I'm on to DC3 and I received a list of things I'd need from my HV

Bag of change for car park/vending machine/phone calls with the good news

Yes definitely car park change. And a plastic jug for pouring over yourself when / after you wee

I have left out babys going home bits and my going home clothes, put them in a seperate bag and it lives on babies car seat, iyswim.

That way when its time for us to go home, all DH has to do is bring in the bag for us both with car seat. This means less in hospital bag and I know my DH wont bring me uncomfortable/mismatched clothes to go home in!

Ooh I've done the very same thing!! I've used my changing bag for the baby things to take in and a small rucksack with my things then a carier bag with clothes for me (and to put worn stuff in) and baby in the car seat in the car boot. Great minds!

more maternity pads than you think you will need, in case waters go early

extra towel in case you need fresh one and can't get hold of dp/dh/family to bring you one when they come in

plastic carrier bag for taking dirty clothes/nighties home with you

lipbalm and handcream and a nice facial moisturiser as wards can get very hot and dry

small change for telephone and in case you need to send dh/dp down to the snack bar for more supplies or if he needs extra sustinance to help him through a few hours of hard graft

magazine or books to read or crosswords
looking around the ward or chatting to other people can get wearing after about 5 minutes if you're in for a long stretch

don't forget to remember car seat for baby when it's time to go home

good luck!