what to put in my hospital bag

[LucieBee]

Hi, I'm new here and been reading lots of posts but thought I'd be brave and finally post one myself! I'm just into my 2nd Trimester - soooo relieved the nausea has finally passed. Now I'm in a bit of a 'need information' phase - thinking about the birth already! What essential things should I put in my hospital bag, beyond the usual baby clothes, extra knickers and nightie! Like most of us, I really really want a natural birth with no intervention
I know I'm going to need something to help me relax and keep up my stamina for labour. I'm going to have natural energy drinks and some fruity snack bars and my sister has suggested rescue remedy but I was wondering whether anyone used Essential oils - which ones, and where's the best place to get them? Any tips would be welcome.

Welcome!

I'm going to go on what I didn't pack in hospital bag mostly....

Pack more pads than you ever think you'll need

Arnica tablets

Peppermint tea (in case you have a c-section, it will help with, ahem, wind issues)

Fooooood. Stuff you can eat one handed and doesn't need to be refridgerated

Flip flops (cheapy Primark ones for the showers...they can be gross)

Will think of more....

Oh and antibacterial wipes in case things are a little grubby

Make sure you have £ for the TV/internet Patientline bedside TV as well. I didn't and nearly went out of my mind with boredom!

And maybe that cooling spray too, for your face. Maternity wards can be incredibly hot (get lightweight PJ's too)

Hello!

I took masses of stuff in with me, but these are the things I couldn't do without and wouldn't have maybe thought of if a helpful person hadn't suggested them!

• Straws for the drinks! You may well need both hands for gripping the bed/gas and air/midwife and my dh was trying to stay out of harms way so he stuck a straw into my bottle of water (in fact he joined two together so he really wouldn't have to get too close lol) and it was brilliant.

• Wet wipes / baby wipes. Not for baby, for you when you are trying to do that first stinging burning wee after giving birth.

• Your own pillow

• If you wear make up regularly then take some with you. I will probably get shot down in flames for that one but seriously a bit of blusher and mascara really go a very long way.

• Slipper socks. I had very cold feet throughout labour and they took up less room than normal slippers in my bag.

• Hair bands and alice band. Invaluable if you have long hair.

• Vaseline or similar for your lips. Gas and air gets a bit drying

Hope that helps, and good luck!

Lip balm/vaseline

Breastpads and lansinoh if planning to breast feed

Big cheap knickers that you don't mind throwing away, preferrably black (not bother with disposable ones, they're useless)

Definitely cheap flipflops

Definitely more maternity pads than you ever thought possible to use

Toiletries - get travel sizes of your normal products, plus hairbrush, make-up etc (for post birth photos!)

Good luck! If you haven't already done so, you may want to join the [http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/antenatal_clubs antenatal thread]] for the month you're due.

Grr, here's the link

Hi LucieBee
I'm new here too and just spotted your post.
I've got two boys, both natural births but quite hard work as they were big boys!
The list of things for the hospital the other mums give above are really good - wish I had that advice before! Definitely lots of knickers and pads and anything else that's going to make you feel comfortable, especially if you end up staying for a while.(And do bring lots of snacks, I was starving afterwards!!)

For the actual labour I wished I had essential oils too. I have met a few mums that say they really helped. I'm not sure which ones but I have just looked at this Tisserand website tisserand.com after someone suggested to me on another thread about rollerballs for travel. It's worth looking at for some aromatherapy stuff and other body treats.

Good luck with it all!! x