Labour/Hospital bags

[Lissy Loo]

Me again :)

Does anyone have a list of items that you packed in your Labour and Hospitals bags?

Just starting to think about it now :)

When did you start packing?

[nat1]

Hi Lissy,

Granted this is my first baby, I've compiled a list with the help of friends and my hospital website on what to pack in my hospital bag...

Hope this helps! It's still a work in progress! Midwife at antenatal class recommended we pack or leave the list handy from about a month before EDD.

Pyjamas
Comfortable day clothes
Underwear
Maternity Bras
Breast Pads
Make-Up Bag
Going home outfit for baby
Nappies
Lansinoh Cream
Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Shampoo & Conditioner
Body Wash
Deodorant
Perfume
Mobile
Mobile Charger
Camera
Camera Charger
Video Camera
Eye Cream
Face Moisturiser
Body Moisturiser
Maternity Pads
Books to read
Face Washers
Make-Up Wipes
Tweezers
Razor
Wallet
Chewing Gum
Pregnancy Vitamins
Pink Account Card (supplied by hospital for admission)
Antenatal Card
Medicare and Health Fund Cards

[angeleish]

Hmmm ... going from memory here so I think I may forget a few items:

*heat/cold packs (the gel type)
* Stress balls
* ipod
* change of clothes/underwear
* maternity pads
* spray bottle of water
* camera
* clothes for hubby
* hospital card/notes/medicare card
* clothes for the baby :D (one set only - packed the rest of his stuff in a separate "hospital bag")
* mobile phone

hmmm I'm sure there were other things but I can't quite remember.

Just for the record.... in the rush of leaving home and contractions we actually left our labour bag at home!! (We had the one for our hospital stay but not the labour one - lol). We ended up using my mum's camera and got the clothes/maternity pads from my other bag. To tell you the truth I didn't miss any of the other items. Everyone is different though so pack it all just in case!

[LulusMum]

Hm - the list Nat1 has supplied seems the go, although i personally would scrap the perfume - one of bubs earliest senses is smell and most maternity hospitals recommend mum washes her top half (boobies etc) with water only (no soap) so as not to confuse bub - we actually told people to not wear perfume to see him (especially MIL as she has a nasty habit of drowing herself in perfume)

[nat1]

Thanks Lulusmum, hadn't heard that before!

[jfblady72]

yes, forget the perfume! definately not to be used. dont know about the razor...really the last thing on your mind will be shaving your legs and if u need a "shave" for c section etc, the nurses use electric ones. ;) you wont give 2 hoots about modesty.

also, lip balm. your own pillows are nice too.

[PositiveThinker]

Hospital Bag Packing List
- Comfy shirt for labour (or use the one supplied by the hospital)
- Toiletries (don’t forget DH’s stuff too)
- Lip balm
- Mints
- Small change and Cash
- Phone list (A saved announcement group in my mobile to make it easier for DH)
- Day clothes – with feeding tops? (Don’t forget some for DH too)
- PJ’s
- Socks
- Slippers
- Underwear ( 7 – 10 pairs)
- Nursing bras
- Breast pads
- Maternity pads
- Tissues
- Roll of toilet paper (the nice stuff, don’t want to use hospital scratchy stuff)
- Face washers
- Nipple cream
- Pillows
- Camera & Charger
- Ipods & Charger
- Mobile phones & Charger
- Uno
- DH’s swimmers
- Snacks
- Prunes (been told to put them in water first and bring them in a container. Will keep me regular and take the stress out of the first bowel movement after birth)
- Ural (to drink in order to reduce acidity of urine, useful for if I have a graze or stitches)
- Juice
- Baby wipes or cloths
- Beanie
- Scratch mittens
- Six outfits (for the baby, not me)
- Wrap (for going home)
- Plastic bag for dirty laundry
- Pen and paper
- Breast pump

[Caszie87]

In my hospital bag and labour bag I packed:

Nighties (take a few because in the even of a c-section you want to have comfortable clothing to lay around in.)
Underwear - a size larger than you usually wear...cotton and cheap to throw away if you need to. 7-10 pairs.
Nappies for the baby - only take disposable - not cloth - make sure you have a few! A whole pack just in case
Outfits - 5 onesies are good - and a pretty outfit to take the baby home in

I took the minature soaps and shampoos/conditioner with me so they didn't take up much space!

CAMERA!
Baby wipes
LOTS of maternity pads
Nipple cream and breast pads if nursing
Formula and bottles if not breast feeding
Maternity bras
Some day clothes - loose and comfortable
Some books or magazines to stop yourself being bored!

Any food items should be supplied by the hospital and will be chosen on your meal plans that are given to you when the midwives hand them out the day before.

And for labour:
What ever you need
Music, a comfy top or dress (although you probably would have changed at home), your birth plan, pregnancy record book if you have one, mints or something to suck on...anything to take you mind off the pain!

But remember to pack for more than one night because most c-sections are a suprise. Nothing worse than only packing for one night and having to stay in 5! And then your husband/partner having to run home and pack more stuff for you and him not knowing what you need!

[angeleish]

oops in a moment of baby brain just realised I only listed my labour bag stuff..... Most of the mentioned is a good idea. Things I used most during my hospital stay:

* lots of undies. I just got cheapies that I could throw out if necessary.
* Maternity singlets/bras. I found the singlets easiest for establishing BF but everyone is different
* Camera and charger
* Phone and charger
* Trackies for day wear (or anything comfy really)
* Pjs
* Breast pads
* Maternity pads
* Toiletries (I packed small sample size to save room)
* Lip gloss
* Hair ties and head bands
* Lansinoh
* Clothes for DH (hubby stayed with me)

For baby
* Wondersuits
* cotton wraps
(our hospital provided nappies etc for the baby so we didn't need to pack much)

You should get some info from your classes on what to take but the girls here have given you some great ideas. So exciting :goodvibes:

[Lissy Loo]

Thanks heaps for the lists and tips girls :)

[surfergal]

I girls just wanted to let you know the best thing EVER for those wanting/wishing to breast feed and I know angeleish has said it.. but it was MY ABSOLUTE SAVOUR was the Lansinoh nipple cream It is a bit more expensive than most but you don't have to wash it off before BF and you can also use it on your lips too if they are dry..

Also one thing I did when I went in (i had elective C section) so I knew I wouldn't be dressing bubba first time after i came back from theatre (our hospital didn't provide bubs clothes) was to pack bubs clothes in a seperate plastic zip up bag. I got them from the bag shop - strandbags in the travel section. They were great idea as that way Midwife and DH knew where all of bubs stuff was and as i was so 'out of it' on morphine they found it all easy and weren't asking me a million questions. Also don't really bother with the 'cutsie' type of clothes, the best thing for bubs is the wondersuits - i loved the target ones, they were the best and the Best and Less singlets. Both far better than Bonds.

If your DH is allowed and going to stay in hossie with you, most won't supply food to your DH after the birth, so we packed a heap of food for him ie breakfast and stuff for lunch. Otherwise visiting the Private Hospitals Cafe was to expensive..

Oh and the perfume thing as posted before nope i'd wouldn't be taking that, as bub could be very sensitive to it, and the same with any of deodarants/shampoos/body moisturiser - keep then scent free or natural is best.

[hopefulmama2b]

In my hospital bag and labour bag I packed:

Nighties (take a few because in the even of a c-section you want to have comfortable clothing to lay around in.)
Underwear - a size larger than you usually wear...cotton and cheap to throw away if you need to. 7-10 pairs.
Nappies for the baby - only take disposable - not cloth - make sure you have a few! A whole pack just in case
Outfits - 5 onesies are good - and a pretty outfit to take the baby home in

I took the minature soaps and shampoos/conditioner with me so they didn't take up much space!

CAMERA!
Baby wipes
LOTS of maternity pads
Nipple cream and breast pads if nursing
Formula and bottles if not breast feeding
Maternity bras
Some day clothes - loose and comfortable
Some books or magazines to stop yourself being bored!

Any food items should be supplied by the hospital and will be chosen on your meal plans that are given to you when the midwives hand them out the day before.

And for labour:
What ever you need
Music, a comfy top or dress (although you probably would have changed at home), your birth plan, pregnancy record book if you have one, mints or something to suck on...anything to take you mind off the pain!

But remember to pack for more than one night because most c-sections are a suprise. Nothing worse than only packing for one night and having to stay in 5! And then your husband/partner having to run home and pack more stuff for you and him not knowing what you need!

good advise! I was soo unprepared! went in at 36+6 weeks for monitoring and had a baby the next day :D I had a bag packed but when I think now I had no idea! lol. I packed 000's and had an under 5 pound baby so I had to get dh and mum to buy some teeny clothes quick smart. I was in hospital for 8 nights (even though I didnt have a caeser lol) as well so I didn't have enough clothes and the stuff dh bought me was crap- I wish I had of bought more sort of nice clothes rather than leggings and pj's etc because I spent a lot of time walking across to special care nursery and downstairs having coffee and I would have liked to look nicer lol- i know thats vain, but I am :laughing:. I bought my ghd with me and totally used it, I had it plugged in on the wall next to my bed. I also wore makeup and perfume too. The midwives teased me all the time- oohh where are u off to? LOL

[angeleish]

I agree with hopeful on taking some "luxury" items. I packed make up (just the basics) and was so glad for it. It just gave me a nice pick up when I was sleep deprived and quite hormonal!!

Also, I made sure that most of my PJs and trackies were new. It was a nice little treat to myself and it was nice to wear some new clothes on some days when I was feeling a little less than average.

Also, surfers idea to have a little snap lock bag for baby's first clothes after it is born is a good idea. My poor DH had no idea and I couldn't get out of bed to help until my epi wore off!

[micca]

great lists.... My laptop and internet will be on that list as well...so I can tell all you gals about it...lol...

[GirlsRock]

I agree with hopeful on taking some "luxury" items. I packed make up (just the basics) and was so glad for it. It just gave me a nice pick up when I was sleep deprived and quite hormonal!!

Also, I made sure that most of my PJs and trackies were new. It was a nice little treat to myself and it was nice to wear some new clothes on some days when I was feeling a little less than average.



:iagree:

I took some tinted moisturiser and mascara. I also brought a couple of pair of new cotton pj's and between my Mum and MIL doing my washing I always had a nice clean freshly ironed pair to put on. Half the time I wore my stretchy yoga pants and a pj top during the day because it was easier for feeding.

I'm almost embarrassed to admit that I also took my ...... hair straightener :o! My hair is frizz if I dont straighten it. I only used it a couple of times during my 6 day stay and just made sure I used my showercap when I showered so it didnt need doing every day.

In relation to nipple cream I have the lansinoh and also an Avado organic one. Both are great (and neither require washing off before feeding). I definately recommend some sort of nipple cream.

I had a planned caesar because bubs was breech (although it didnt really go to plan when my waters broke earlier than the day I was booked in). I took some of the ultra ugly but ultra comfortable Tena mesh undies. Who knew that something that ugly could actually be a godsend. Because they are lightweight and almost come up to your boobs they dont annoy your stitches / tender tummy.

Oh and I didnt pack early (I was planning on doing it the day before my "planned caesar") so after my waters broke I was rushing around the house trying to remember what I needed to pack. Probably wouldnt recommend leaving it that late.

Good luck all you preggie ladies....it is such an exciting time.