hospital bag packing...and repacking

[tomhayley]

hello,38 weeks and a day-baby due soon, packing my hospital bag today(so far all the bits in boots bags and various piles..), heard its a good idea to take your own pillow, and a towel? i know im not going to a hotel for a few nights so feel a bit silly writing this, but did anyone take the above with them to hopsital when the time came?

I took my own pillow, and very much appreciated it! From what I recall, the hospital pillows were not exactly fulsome.

I seem to recall the towel supply not being very forthcoming, so I think I will probably pack my own towel this time, too.

I packed my bag yesterday (well, most of it), and I'm only 35 weeks.

Packed my bag yesterday as a result of the MW telling me that the baby's head is already engaged plus a series of alarming BH contractions.... This thread has just reminded me to go and pack a towel. IIRC, the midwives were a bit because i had forgotten to bring one last time.

I wouldn't take a pillow though 'cos my bag isn't big enough.

So far I have packed:

baby gros
newborn nappies
a pair of stretchy legging type things and a T shirt
a pair of maternity pyjamas
sanitary towels
about 4 pairs of knickers

exciting your babys engaged!

thats really helpful about the towel situ..thanks

ive also packed sort of two bags- one for baby, one for me

pack of disposable knickers
nivea cleansing wipes-cos it'll be hot in there
small hand cream
small toothpaste
some small shower/hair wash
muslin face cloth
dressing gown

for baby, i have same as you, plus scratch mitts, and newborn hat, various sizes of baby sleepsuits. one cardi to come home in,
feel like im going to end up taking a pullalong case at this rate..probably bit over the top!

just noticed the 'your hospital bag' section on the website here is very helpful too..lots of tips

I didn't take pillow first time round but took towel. Will do the same again, don't remember the hospital pillow so guessing it wasn't to uncomfortable.

As for everything else, leggings are a fab idea, I shall purchase myself some of those before I pack. Will use jumper not t-shirt though as it will be October so guessing it will be wishful thinking hoping for sun then.

I'm taking towel and pillow, and also shorts and spare t shirt for hubby.

My NCT teacher made a very good point about towels - she said there was never a better time to wrap yourself up in a massive fluffy towel than after your first post-labour shower. But bring one in a dark colour!
This has stayed with me and as a result half my suitcase is taken up by a massive brown fluffy bath sheet.
The other bit of advice I was given was to put a bright pillow case on your pillow so nobody walks off with it as they are in notoriously short supply on many delivery wards. I wouldn't put the pillow in your bag though - just sling it in the car so it's ready for you when you need it.

tryharder the baby's head being engaged does not necessarily mean labour is imminent...although it doesn't mean it isnt either. its quite normal for it to be engaged for a while at the end of pg, my DSs head was engaged for ages and then I had to be induced.

I have also been advised to take my own pillow with a bright pillow case...

My midwife told us to pack two smaller towels as opposed to one large one, easier to dry!

I've packed baby bag but not mine yet,(only 31 weeks) we were given a list at nate-natal last week advising us what to pack, we were advised to pack for two days (just incase).

Don't forget breast pads as well as maternity pads for down there.

Just found my list from the midwife and thought it may be useful to share it, this is based on packing for a two day hospital stay.

Baby -
Nappies (1 packet)
Cotton wool (1 large bag)
Babygrows (6)
Vests (6)
Hats (3)
Cardigans (3)
Scratch mits (3 pairs)
Muslin squares (4)
Going home outfit
Carseat and blanket

Mummy -
Old t-shirt for labour
Pjs / Nightie
Dressing gown
Slippers
Socks
Towels (2 small)
Big knickers
Bras
Breast pads
Maternity pads
Lip balm
Magazines / books
Mat notes
Birth plan
Bag for dirty washing
Toiletries
Going home outfit
Food / drinks/ snacks - glucose tablets recommended!
Tens machine (if using)

Daddy Birthpartner-
Drinks/ snacks
Camera
Money to get out of carpark
Mobile phone / contact list

thanks, thats a brilliant long list..good point about the dark coloured towels and also the bright pillow case-will do both
think i should be sorted!

final thought for the day..
but which newborn nappies have you bought?

i don't think my baby will be huge, but not sure which size to start with..so many to choose from...as its gueswork at this stage. heard pampers is good

I would just get normal first size nappies (you could always pack just 2/3 bigger one just in case). If your baby i prem (like mine) they'll have small nappies. You just need enough to bide time to get to the shop to get some of the proper size I got Pampers as I like getting the freebie things...

Re Nappies - I got Huggies Newborn size 1 as I had a voucher for a free pack, plus my s-i-l recommended them

I posted this the other day, but honestly don't load yourself down. You'll prob be there for 12ish hours, you really don't need half the clobber people say.

I never brough my own towels, mw can as much as they like!

ill go for pampers then..thanks for the tip about a few sizes..
think i'll try and edit my bag-the things you do hen you have to much time to think about it while you wait!

Why on earth take your own towels? Better to use the hospital ones and make a mess of them?? And you will probably survive without a fluffy pillow (ones in my hospital were better than home!)

Pampers are rubbish now