It's not like packing for a holiday (My Version of the List)

Member Name: Happyjaw

Product:	My Version of the List
Date:	16/03/09 (107 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Once your bag is packed, you feel far more ready for the big event

Disadvantages: You could pack everything and still not have everything ideal

The hospital bag varies for everyone, some who are expecting their fourth child for example, might take a change of clothes, a babygrow and a mobile phone and expect to be home in 5 hours. I was expecting twins, we knew they were definitely breech and I was definitely going to have a c-section and the whole bag packing challenge is a different ball game.

Plan for time
We knew we could anticipate up to 5 days in hospital and that the twins could arrive early, therefore necessitating 5 days of clothing for 3 people.
I had two pairs of maternity pjs, with front openings and a bed jacket wrap thingummy as part of the set from Mothercare, for appropriate feeding, comfort and modesty. It's worth considering layers. I had strappy summer pjs because the post birth wards are like ovens here but a wrap was a good idea for when wandering to the breakfast room and other parts of the hospital.

Baby clothing
I also packed clothing from premature, through tiny baby to newborn, anticipating birthweights from 5 - 7lbs each. It's a good job we prepared, the newborn kit drowned them. The premature clothing fit for around 3 days and then we moved straight on to tiny baby stuff from Adams as their weights were 5lbs 8oz and 5lbs 9.5 oz respectively.
Take carrier bags folded up, you will have dirty clothing and gifts to take home afterwards.

Hygiene
I took shower gel with tea tree oil in it since it's meant to be effective against MRSA. The soap provided is none too pretty and smells like institutional rubbish. When I got in the shower I was pleased about it as I've certainly seen cleaner bathrooms.

It would also be advisable to find either maternity pads or the overnight type menstrual pads. Most women bleed fairly constantly, some for a few days but most for up to six weeks. Make sure you have a stock of them.

Disposable paper knickers (also Tesco) are much better than washing yours afterwards. However, for comfort they are a big thumbs down. You could buy cheap granny pants at Primark or Poundland for greater comfort and some reuse through the messy stages.

Footwear
I took flip flops, partly because they were easy to slip on without having to bend in half over my enormous bump and because my feet were a bit swollen. I figured they'd see me for both slippers and shoes until I got home.
My flip flops never came home with me, they disappeared whilst I was there so don't take anything you might want again afterwards.

Maternity gear
Breast pads for when you start leaking - if you're still there by then. You will, by day 3 at least, start finding your milk has come through and your boobs will leak like a faulty tap. This can get messy, uncomfortable and smelly so breast pads are quite the thing. Tesco sell a huge box for around 80p.

Photographic evidence
Camera and spare batteries and/or film. You will cherish those first pictures, no matter how hard you pushed/cried/swore and no matter how pale/ill/red/shattered you look. So don't miss the chance for pictures of your baby at the first chance.

First contact
My nearest maternity hospital has had a whole new phone, tv and intetrnet system installed by each bed. With money you can buy a phone card thing for the bedside phones, I think the machine takes £3.00 for the cheapest card, £5.00 and £10.00 and the same card can be used for the tv if you are inclined.
Some hospitals are now allowing you to use mobile phones, and rightly so, they no longer interfere with equipment generally speaking. Even if you aren't allowed to use it, it does have all your favoured contact numbers on it and it could be worth having those numbers on hand to make the birth announcement or ask someone to feed the cat if it's a long and drawn out process.

Supplies
Snacks and drinks for labour, if not for you then for the father or birth buddy. It can be a challenge to find anything worth eating during a long labour, even worse if they have to trek the whole hospital whilst the precious moment arrives. Cereal bars would be a good idea, then it won't matter if you don't eat them, they won't go off.

Basic luxury
Our hospital had a shortage of pillows, which is just plain silly but worth keeping in mind as I understand it doesn't only apply locally. We had a side room to ourselves, which is pleasant but although my partner was allowed to stay there was no bed for him and no spares to be had. We took in our own chair bed from home so he was able to stay every night and bond with his daughters and help feed and care for them immediately.

Some people need nappies, wipes, nappy bags, blankets and a million and one other things, you'll need to check with your own maternity hospital about what they provide. They should provide everything, including formula milk for those who cannot or will not breast feed, but they don't always broadcast it.


I put my bag together at 30 weeks or so but there was a good chance I'd go in early due to having twins, most people could pack much later and be fine.

Summary: Packing for one of the most exciting moments of your life