What's in my Hospital Bag?



I have had both hospital bags for baby and I packed for a month or two now. I started preparing pretty early and wish I hadn't as I keep forgetting what I have packed and keep having to look through it all. 

I decided to pack two separate bags for the both of us as. Although it will be harder carting two bags into the hospital, it will be easier to keep things organised and easier for Nick to root through when I am barking orders at him whilst in labour. 

Below is what I have packed in my bag. I have a feeling I have missed some vital things so if you notice anything that should be added then please let me know!


Clothing-


Dressing gown: I wouldn't of thought of bringing a dressing gown but I have read it makes skin to skin contact and nursing a lot easier. I'm not sure if I will use it or not but it is better to pack it just in case.

PJ's: Another clothing option. I bought a super comfy pair of jersey PJ's to lounge around it.
Nighty: I never wear night shirts so bought a cheap one from Primark. I can see how more convenient a nighty will be rather than PJ's but it will be a hassle for skin to skin. I would prefer to have every option at my disposal though. 

Fluffy Socks: I have a thing for fluffy socks, so they are packed! 

Slippers: Slip on slippers I have heard are invaluable when in hospital. 


Big Knickers and Maternity Bra's: My knickers are huge for comfort after labour and big enough to fit in maternity pads. Maternity bra's, self explanatory.

Comfy Clothing: I still need to decide what to take to wear when leaving the hospital. I am contemplating wearing the clothes I arrived in just so it is less to pack.  



Toiletries -

Towel.

Toothbrush and toothpaste.
Travel sized shampoo, body gel, body lotion, deodorant, vaseline, body spray.
Face wipes, deodorant wipes. 
Maternity pads and nipple pads. 
Perfume and make up (Probably won't use but there if I want it) 


Snacks -


Big bar of chocolate, sweets, isotonic energy drink, chewing gum. 
I keep getting advised to pack lots of sugary treats in my hospital bag and any excuse to pack some goodies sounds good to me! 


Medication -

My Pregnacare Vitamins which can bought online at Pharmacy At Hand. 

I also received a Laboraide in a Project B box and although I do feel a bit sceptical about using it I have packed it anyway to try out.


Miscellaneous -

Iphone and charger. 

Hair brush, hair clips and bobbles. 
Notepad and pen. 


Again if there is anything that you think it missing then please let me know. I would rather have everything I could possibly need than miss one little thing. I probably won't use so much of what I have packed but for peace of mind I would rather have it there just in case.

24 comments:

  1. great list

    bobbles is the ruber hair band i assume? take a few just in case! i had one around my wrist to find it quickly i had a water birth so i also got a big clip to put my hair up so my ponytail didnt get into my way!
    take spare PJs or nighty with you just in case.
    i would leave your perfume out the more natural the better because if you put perfume on your neck and do skin to skin with the baby might not be good for his sensitive skin.
    i didn't wear any perfume for a couple of weeks and if then only a bit on my hair.
    camera maybe too?
    best thing i had with me was put little water bottles into the freezer and make a note on the bag to take them out when you head to the hospital sipping on the melted freezing cold water was really nice in labour, i also bought a little spray bottle filled with cold water so my partner could spray my face very refreshing. oh and i had a little towel which i put on my neck or forehead with cold water ever so often.
    knickers wise take your oldest ones who you dont mind throwing away afterwards i bought a cheap six pack from primark.
    sorry for the essay lol xx

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    1. Thank you so much!

      I hadn't even thought about that with perfume/body spray. That can stay at home!

      Will be keeping my hair up throughout as I have long hair and don't want it getting in the way.

      My phone camera is pretty good and the only other I have is my chunky DSLR so that's staying at home for the time being.

      The iced water tip sounds fantastic. I have a thing for cold drinks and ice at the minute so will one hundred percent do that too.

      Thanks for all the tips, they are fantastic! x

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  2. empty bag to put bloody/ sicky clothes in is a must!

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    1. Wouldn't of thought of that! I may just bin everything though! x

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  3. Have you thought of trying arnica tablets (homeopathic)? One of the midwives I saw highly recommended them and I started taking them once in established every hour. If you take them after birth they're meant to be good for after pains and encourage healing. I bought mine from Holland and Barrett (30c Arnica) x

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    1. I hadn't heard of them before but I am now looking into buying some as I type! Sounds like a brilliant idea. Thank you so much x

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  4. Change for parking! Take about £20 in change for parking! I'm not sure what happened for other mummies but I packed lots of goodies + once I was hooked up to a drip I weren't allowed to eat or drink at all!! I didn't eat or drink for about 20 hours! xx

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    1. Thanks Jax! I'm contemplating getting dropped off at hospital by the in laws so we don't need to worry about parking but I don't know if that is harder work! The midwives told me to bring snacks and recommended isotonic energy drinks too but they could mean for before established labour? x

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  5. Pack as many PJ bottoms & pants as possible, sounds horrible but no one ever told me how much blood you loose after. I had soiled everything on the first day & plastic bags for laundry. During labour I would pack some drinking straws, for when you need to sip water without it going all down your face!! And some flannels for wet or cold on your forehead, its so refreshing!! Just seen the post above, Arnica tablets are great and if you do have stitches or grazes from birth my midwives advised (and it worked) to use a few drops of pure tea tree oil in a bath to soothe down there :-)
    xxxx

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    1. Advice from someone who has just been there, done it and bought the tshirt. Thanks Polly. I have only packed one pair of PJ bottoms and 2 pairs of knickers. Think I am in denial a bit there, ha ha. Looking into buying some Arnica tablets as I type xx

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  6. Polly is right, you do bleed an awful lot. Pack lots + lots + lots of maternity pads + bottoms like she said. I only walked from bed to toilet (about 10 steps) + there was a sea of red around me! If u have stitches they will hurt like mad when u wee after-I poured a jug of warm water over my bits as I weed + it eased it so much + took the pain away :) xx

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    1. Now that is a pretty picture! Atleast I am prepared. How many packs of pads would you pack? I only put in one heavy duty pack but thinking now to put more in? I bet I am a bleeder! Thanks again xx

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  7. I had a section and nightgowns were a godsend. I just happened to pick a cheap one up from tesco 2 days before i needed to have it. I also LIVED in the dressing gown. I wore my maternity jeans and a vest top home. At that point I really didn't care how I looked, I just wanted out!

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    1. Yeah I doubt I will care. I will just want to get home with Nick and Noah. Thank you x

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  8. Nice to see you're well prepared.

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  9. I ended up not using loads of the stuff I took but it's always best to be prepared! I wouldn't worry too much about taking loads of pads - the hospital provided them for me. I did use disposable knickers for the the first day or two though. Not especially flattering but comfortable enough and easier just to throw the whole lot away! And I second pouring water over your bits to stop it stinging when you pee - I used a squeezy water bottle - worked a treat!

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    1. Thanks again for the tips! They have been great. It sounds like the hospital you went to was fab as I know the birth centre I am going to doesn't provide a lot. I haven't got any disposables but think I best invest in some! x

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  10. I had so much stuff in my hospital bag, I didn't even need half of it. I bought so many snacks, I didn't even think of touching them. I went through lots of apple juice though x

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    1. I think I will be same as you. Pack ridiculous amounts and hardly use any of it x

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  11. You will be so glad you packed a dressing gown! That was the thing I loved the most, being all snuggly with room for an extra one. I bought a new pack of 6 black knickers. Putting something new on made me feel nice and because they were black if any blood leaked I couldn't see it! I didn't bleed for too long...just quite heavy the first two days then it was just like a normal period for a week or so xx I ate loads of snacks after! xx

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    1. Thank you! I will be making sure I pack my dressing gown. At the minute it hardly ties around my bump but hopefully there will be a little bit more room once he is born... just a little bit. I know it takes a long while for bump to go down. xx

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  12. Personally I wouldn't bother with disposable pants, they are uncomfy and noisy when you move in them. Just buy a pack of cheapie knickers from Primark or a supermarket in black which you can throw away afterwards.

    Arnica tablets are well worth getting, they ease bruising and help any tears, cuts or nicks heal up more quickly after labour too. I advise all my pregnant friends to pack them in their bags.

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  13. Wondering if you still have the same bag, and planning to use this time around. A good sturdy compact bag with compartments can be such a bonus for use when needing to attend hospital as an in- patient. Best Wishes.

    Rachel Craig

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