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So, I’ve come to the point where I’m thinking it’s time to pack my hospital bag. I’ve acquired some lists from the forum I’m on and some sites on the web, and compiled my own, choosing items from these. Some of the items probably won’t go in, in the end, but they’re on there just in case! Some of the items from the other lists I totally missed off as I thought they were a bit silly! (And some of those currently on the list probably are too!)
I know I may not be in there for long, but on the other hand I like to be prepared just in case… Not sure the bag I have will be big enough for all of the following either…
If you think there is anything I shouldn’t have/probably won’t need, or anything I should probably have (for both lists), please do suggest!
Labour/hospital bag
- Hospital/birth notes
- Lightweight dressing gown
- Old t-shirt/shirt/nightie for giving birth in
- Socks (one website said as my feet might get cold during labour! Thoughts from experience?)
- Comfortable clothes for after birth (including maternity ones)
- Nursing bra
- Old/cheap knickers
- Slippers/flip flops
- Lip balm
- Mini toiletries (shower gel, moisturiser, toothpaste, etc.)
- Face cloth
- Water spray/hand held fan
- Dark towel (in case of blood, so it doesn’t show up!)
- Snacks (rice cakes/cereal bars etc.)
- Bottled water/drinks
- Bendy straws (in case I’m a diva and want hubby to ‘feed’ me drink?!)
- Tissues (do they usually have these in hospital anyway?)
- Camera & batteries
- Ear plugs (in case I stay in and there are noisy people!)
- Eye mask (in case I have to stay in and it’s hard to sleep?)
- List of phone numbers, for hubby to ring with the happy news! Though he’ll probably have these in his mobile phone anyway…
- Pen & paper in case of lists for hubby (?!)
- Plastic bag for dirty clothes etc.
- Phone charger (probably won’t need this though with not being able to use mobile phones in hospital anyway!)
- Book/magazine (though I’m thinking I’ll not have time/want to read these, so will probably just skip this one! Seen it on many lists!)
- Change for payphone – though hubby will probably go outside to use his mobile phone
- Paracetamol (though they would give you this in hospital anyway?)
- Nipple cream for breastfeeding
- Going home outfit
- Sleep suits/vests
- Socks/booties
- Scratch mitts
- Blanket
- Hat
- Towel (?)
- Muslin squares
- Small teddy (?)
- Ready made formula & a bottle in case of breastfeeding problems
- Nappies
- Wipes/cotton wool pads
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I had two bags. 1 for labour ward which had babies first outfit,powerade (mw suggestion as reseleases energy but hydrates 2), starburst,lip balm, change of clothes for me after and before giving birth which were all black pjs. tonnes of big tent knickers. bag2 had mine (still black) and babies goin home clothes along with everything u might need for a hospital trip. Things i had to get brought up which werent packed were fluffy socks-wards r freezing,ear plugs, (1st night i was not in full labor but w broke but was kept awake and the nights beth was in sc and those ear plugs were fab), pain killers – they werent giving me strong enough tabs and it was a nightmare constantly asking-we dont have a doc sign parcetomol at home so i was self medicating. i also had a long light black dressing gown which was great to wrap round for skin to skin and covering up when waking or sit about. also i had stitches and found soaked witch hazel cotton wool soothes tender areas and can also b put in bath with tea tree and lavender oil. Arnica tablets was another thing i took for bruising and to speed healing and i am not sure it helped but it didnt do any harm.