Hey guys

I know my due date is a little way off (23/02/09) but my OH is going to be away for the last 6 or 7weeks of my pregnancy (04/01/09 till 21/02/09) so i'd really like to have my hospital bag packed before he goes away just incase i go into labour before he'd due home (scary thought!!)  i can just imagine what a scramble that would be!

So...

Any suggestions as to what to take or if anyones packed theres already what have they packed?? There seems so much you have to take!

Also - What kind of bag did people use because i dont want to have to take a suitcase with me!

Any suggestions would be muchly appreciated!!

Lou xx 

Hi,

I had my daughter in September and I just used an old sports bag for mine and baby's stuff but I packed loads of stuff just in case!  I would say def get either paper pants or I just got cheap big cotton pants from tesco and dark coloured tracky bottoms and towel just in case of leakage! (It's not that bad, but anything light wouldn't have been good for my peace of mind, lol!)  Also I would take a bottle of water or 2 as I got very thirsty as it was quite hot in there and breastfeeding makes you really thirsty and hospital water out of their plastic jugs tastes horrible.

For baby I would say take 0-3month as well as newborn stuff as I only put a 0-3 vest and sleepsuit in as an afterthought and it was a good thing I did because she never really fitted in the newborn stuff at all (she was 8lb 9oz and quite long).

When I got home and unpacked I realised I'd taken far to much stuff so maybe do an overnight bag and leave another bag at home your oh can get for you if you have to be kept in longer, I came with enough stuff to last me a week, lol!

Hope that's some help and good luck for when baby arrives

thats great thanks Gem,

weve been told our little boy is bigger than average (very long too) so im expecting him to weigh around the same as your little girl did, ive not brought anything smaller than 0-3months as yet. Think ill do an over night bad and then pack an extra one incase i have to stay in but maybe leave that in the car?

Thank yooou!

xx

Lovely thank you very much tara! I'll start sortig out my list now of what i need

xx

hello don't forget some warm socks, and very comfy slippers!

Also take some food. When I got on to the ward after giving birth dinner was over, and all they could offer me was sandwiches loaded with butter and mayo (2 things I cant stand!)

Good luck with the pregnancies x

hi ladies. my bag is packed so here is what i inclu -

babies bag - used changing bag

3 n/b vests

3n/b sleepsuits

1 0-3 vest

1 0-3 sleepsuit

going home outfit - snowsuit

warm blanket

cellular blanket

hat

scratch mits 

cotton wool

nappies

baby wipes

soft toy

towel

and for me - small overnight bag

2 x pjs - one i dont mind getting grotty and the other for afterbirth - front opening for easy b/f

slippers

socks

pants - normal (black) and paper - you tend to loose loads of fluids!

maternity pads

shampoo, conditioner, toothbrush etc

breast pads and mat bra and nursing bra

snacks and drinks

spare change for parking and telephone/tv

book/mag

list of numbers

birth plan for hubby incase i go insane and start asking for all the drugs!!!

hope that helps ladies. good luck xxx 

Thats great natty thanks, will prob use yours as my guidline for packing mine!

Good luck with the birth, i see its soon approaching!!

xx 

I think these ladies have covered everything. If you take blankets then don't take white - cos hospital and those would be easily mixed up and you would then lose them. I didn't need to take any at hospital request.

I had my lil daughter in late August. The one thing I would say is make sure you try to get your own way. I did mine on just gas and air...I had got myself to 6cms dilated when I went in....and the MW persuaded me to continue that way...I asked for additional relief but it was too late...I started pushing too early so needed to be cut and Molly was delivered by forceps which bloody hurt. I luckily had a dream baby so I was allowed out the same day...Maternit towels are def essential. I never expected the amount of blood...I thought it would be a little period!! Oppps!!!

Good luck ladies....I am actually a little jealous. I miss her being an ickle baby...she is so big now.

xxx

Hi.

Everyone is saying take maternity pads, but I found these SO uncomfortable, so used the nightime always ultra pads instead. Absorb really well, but feel much fresher on (sorry if TMI)

Em x

Hi Ladies & Bumps,

Most things have been covered, but a couple of things to note...

DON'T fork out on paper knickers - they are so uncomfortable - got to Asda or Tesco & buy their cheapy smartprice or value cotton versions - cheap enough to bin if you need to, but equally, you're going to bleed for quite a while, so will was on a 60degree wash quite happily without ruining your best knickers.

Secondly, in response to Emma - yes, maternity pads may be like bricks, BUT the midwives prefer them as it is easier for them to assess your lochia (post birth loss) than an ultra absorbant towel like 'Always'.  Also, you never know if you may need an EMCS - if you do, then mat pads can also be used to keep the wound free of sweat - trust me, I may be a big girl, but no matter your size, you will have flabby bits which sweat after a C Section, & they can make you feel more comfortable & fresher - also, they are more comfortable to wear if you need an episiotomy as they are softer & more padded, making sitting more comfortable.

Good luck

Amanda & Abi xx

Hello,

 I'll second the cheap knickers from tesco (I had a 51 inch waist at my biggest and the size 22 was fine) pack of 3 for £1.50 I think. Had a pack of disposables from Boots fo the first 3 days and they worked for me just fine but not everyone likes them.

I also found drinks in 'fruit shoot' type bottles useful as they're easy to drink out of no matter what position you're in; and if the ward's busy they won't get round to refilling any water jugs they provide (at least they didn't when I was in labour, gas n air dries the mouth and labour is thirsty work!). When I gave birth to my son after a 12 hour active labour (06/10/08) the room was boiling (probably to keep baby warm) and I was so pleased we'd brought a 12pack of small bottles of flavoured water.

For those who are planning to breastfeed only: It's a matter of opinion but if you're planning to breastfeed I personally wouldn't bother with formula for 'just-in-case'. Only a negligible number of women physically can't breastfeed so if you really want to do it then you will probably be able to (the human race wouldn't have survived otherwise!). If after a few days of trying to BF you decide not to continue or if there are complications and/or you're stuck in hospital for some time there'll surely be someone you can ask (partner, relative. friend) to pop to the supermarket and buy formula. If you are all alone and many miles away from civilisation then you might need a supply at home - but if you're planning to BF and things change the hospital won't let your baby starve. You might find you persevere with BF longer if the formula option isn't right there next to you when you're exhausted, hormonal and on your own in the middle of the night with a brand new screaming baby (BF is pretty tough in the beginning and if you're not going to continue make sure it's for the right reasons so you don't end up feeling upset about it).

For those who are planning to formula feed only :  many hospitals won't supply formula so make sure you have some cartons with you.Rather than packing lots of cartons incase you have to stay in longer make sure you have a supply ready at home so someone can bring it in for you (thus freeing up more space in your hospital bag).

Cereal bars and fruit are very useful for both you and your birth partner as you'll both need to keep your energy levels up but wil probably not have much of an appetite.

Most important of all are your notes and birthplan. I know things can change and you have to be flexible, but if it wasn't for my birthplan I would have ended up in stirrups with an episiotomy, forceps delivery and stitches (midwife stuck to my birthplan as much as she could when I wasn't in any state to discuss things rationally!).

Oh and batteries for your camera - we went through our spare set!

Good Luck, fingers crossed for a happy birth experience x