my essential hospital bag list and tips (My Version of the List)

Member Name: emuk00

Product:	My Version of the List
Date:	05/11/09 (42 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: get yourself organised

Disadvantages: none

Hospital bag

With my first born I was given a list from the hospital antenatal class, and I went out and brought it all, being my first I didn't have a clue and figured if its from the hospital then it must be all needed. I never made that mistake when expecting my second child as I didn't use half of the items for my first child.

Its difficult knowing what to pack in your hospital bag, as everyone's labour is different, what is essential is different for each person and their labour. As for the postnatal bag - well thats the same, how long will you be in for, depending on the type of labour you have. The other problem is there really isn't much space in the hospitals to house all your suitcases!!

They recommend packing your bags about 32 weeks onwards, with my first I think i packed it all about 30 weeks and with my second I think I packed it much later as I went overdue with my first and knew I would with my second.

I would recommend either one small suitcase, using plastic carrier bags to put the different items in, like one for the baby's first clothes, going home clothes, etc then the carrier bags come in useful for the dirty washing. Otherwise maybe packing 2 small holdalls, personally I found the suitcase better as it was on wheels and fit everything in.

I was also told to make a pile of 'extras' at home so hubby knew where to find them should you need more nappies/clothes etc, I had one friend who asked her hubby to bring some more pants and knickers in, he brought her pre-pregnancy jeans she couldn't fit into and thongs...go figure that one!!!

Also it maybe worth keeping some bits and bobs in the car that isn't needed until the ward, so you are just taking in things for the labour.
Organisation is the key, as even though I didn't take as much for my second and packed much later, I forgot shampoo and shower gel, as I had to be bed bathed last time due to not being able to get out of bed!! Luckily someone had left some in the shower room!

For my first my main useful items were, ipod (to drown out noise), straws to drink the water, lip balm (gas and air is thirsty work).
Here is my list:

ME

Shower gel/ Shampoo/conditioner - first time around and didn't need, forgot them second time around and needed
Flannels
Deodrant
Maternity pads - lots of, I needed more first time around due to my pph
PJ's
Nightie to give birth in
Coming home clothes - mat jeans, mat top, socks, trainers
Knickers - I brought asda's smart price ones so I could chuck them
Breast Pads
Toothpaste
Toothbrush
Bra
Dressing Gown - never used first time, but needed second time
Slippers - I brought cheap ones to chuck
Hair brush
Books and Magazines, needed for second time
Cereal bars/snacks (these were so important for first time around, with me losing so much blood they wouldn't feed me while on a drip so I could sneak eat these)
Pen and paper - useful to write my birth story
Lansinoh, I wish I took first time around with me
arnica tablets and cream


BABY

Nappies
Cotton Wool
Scratch Mittens
Hat
Babygros x 4
Vests x 4
Blanket


I then packed my suitcase in order of things needed so stuff for the labour at the very top, like stuff for me and baby then bits for the ward at the bottom, saved pulling everything out.
I also labelled the carrier bags with all the babies' bits for the second time around as hubby couldn't find everything.

Summary: what I packed