run out of womb

... learning how to be a mum from scratch

Sunday 31 May 2015

Everything you need for your hospital bag (bar the kitchen sink)


If you’ve never given birth before, packing for hospital is one of the few ways you can actively feel like you're prepared for this crazy event that looks, uh, pretty awful on One Born Every Minute. 

I didn’t want to get an actual case out too early (partly out of superstition, partly because we were trying to squeeze in as many mini breaks as possible before delivery day...). But I started Making A Pile. And as I read blogs and saw other peoples’ lists of hospital must-haves, that pile was eventually needing about this much luggage when I was ready to shove it all in a bag carefully pack it at 36 weeks. 



Since I reckoned my husband might have to carry me into the labour ward rather than worry about buckets of stuff, I streamlined.. Here’s what I took – lots came back unused but I was glad to know I had it just in case:

For the baby:

  • three vests
  • three sleepsuits (go for ones with inbuilt mittens... cos no one wants face scratches in the first baby photos their baby to hurt themselves)
  • two hats
  • 10 nappies, plus cotton wool for bottom wipes
  • Car seat ready to go in the car
  • Cosy blanket to go home in

For me the mama:


  • (Yellow) book of hospital notes and birth plan
  • TENS machine (BEST THING EVER, bar drugs - you can buy one, borrow or rent - if the latter, remember to buy new electron pads - I forgot and had to keep resticking mine on with sellotape..)
  • Going home clothes (I took tracky bums and a hoodie - go for loose and dark coloured bottoms, rather than going Kate Middleton-style..)
  • Two big Primark nighties that I didn’t care about if they were ruined
  • Pack of Primark big, black knickers (ditto)
  • Pack of maternity pads 
  • Loads of food... Haribo and chocolate, three bottles of water with sports cap lids for easy drinking, a straw, tins of spaghetti hoops, crisps, cereal bars - I didn’t eat anything in labour but it was useful for afterwards – we had a midnight feast.
  • Toiletry bag filled with: toothbrush and paste, deodorant, Evian water spray to keep cool in labour (forgot all about it; my husband chucked school-style wet green paper towels on my head..), massage oil, lip balm for hot dry ward, moisturiser, shower gel, Batiste dry shampoo for after, Arnica pills to lessen bruising, hairbrush and hairbands)
  • Towel and bikini top if you want a bit of modesty in the birth pool (though when it comes down to it, you probably won’t care)
  • Camera- fully charged
  • Phone charger (and phone)
  • iPod loaded with lovingly-made ‘labour playlist’ that I failed to listen to
  • Thick cosy socks – transition, before you start pushing, can make your really chilly apparently, but I didn’t have time to use them
  • A book (took an easy reading childhood fave because I was told 'you can get bored'. Seriously, I didn’t open it..)

Your birth partner might also want to pack some comfy clothes and food and drink

So yes, more preparation than packing for a week by the beach, but it's worth it when you come home with....



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3 comments

  1. This is amazing! As a first time mom and 32 weeks pregnant i have been inundated with lists and advice of what to pack, but this list makes sense and will definately be following when packing my bag in a few weeks. Thanks! X

    ReplyDelete
  2. This is amazing! As a first time mom and 32 weeks pregnant i have been inundated with lists and advice of what to pack, but this list makes sense and will definately be following when packing my bag in a few weeks. Thanks! X

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. So glad to hear. I was definitely uptight about taking all the 'right' stuff - and it did help you feel more prepared but remember all your really need ... uh, right inside you :)

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