What to pack in Labour Bag?

Lillibet_2

Hi Everyone


I have still got 3 months to go but want to start slowly buying/gathering the stuff & just wondered what tips people have beyond the usual stuff that the hospital tells you about? What quirky things & luxuries have helped on the labour ward & in the delivery room?

Cheers
Lillibet x

Spendless

Hi Lillibet

I assume you've already thought of the usual vests/babygros/nappies/breast/pads etc?

I found lip salve (atmosphere in hospital can be very drying).

I also packed talc, not for baby but both times i ended up in surgical stockings (to prevent a blood clot forming) and they are a bu**er for getting back on after a shower, by talcing my legs first i found they went back on much easier.

Dormouse

I'm afraid I can't think of anything beyond the usual things, but this did remind me of something...

When I was pregnant, we got a list of things for the labour bag from the midwife at the booking appointment. The list was pretty straightforward, apart from... "a small empty plastic tub, such as empty margarine tub". This was ever so confusing! For the life of me I couldn't think what this was for, and I asked everyone about it (for some reason, I only had bizarre ideas about it being for your placenta :eek: - don't ask me why I thought that - although after labour I realised I would have needed a much bigger tub for that! Oh yes, and at our antenatal classes, the midwife once showed up with a REAL placenta in a hospital waste bag, but this is OT now, sorry!).

So anyway, for months and months of wondering about the mystery tub, someone told me that it was for... topping and tailing! Why couldn't they just say that on the list I don't know! And anyway, I never even had to use it at the hospital as they provided the bowls anyway

So that's my (not very helpful) story...

Woby_Tide

stupid one but drinking straws. Mrs Tide found them useful both during labour and also in the days after giving birth to be able to have a drink whilst feeding/holding gas and air/punching husband etc.

JULIE

Hi lillibet... I'm currently overdue on my third child by ten days and typing this whilst bouncing on my birthing ball hoping to encourage things...... i want a home birth this time but due to lateness I'm supposed to go into hospital on Friday morning for induction which i'm really not looking forward to... however... the first thing I went and bought was disposable knickers.....invaluable...i bought 3 packs of six....Babies R us are cheaper than mothercare...maternity pads..... breast pads... in fact i'll make list..


For You

Breast Pads
Maternity pads(PLENTY)
Disposable knickers
Nursing or Support Bra (dependent on breastfeeding )
Nightshirt or two and Dressing gown (dark colour is good in case of leaks after the birth)
2xTowels (again dark is better..One to dry and one to use depending on how long you stay in for)
Slippers with hard soles or sandals/ shoes.(hospital toilet floors in post natal wards are not renowned for their dryness/cleanliness)
Toothbrush/Paste
Hairbrush/bands
Face/bodywash/shampoo
Loose Comfy Clothes to go home in (you won't shrink back to normal size immediately)


For Baby

3-4 vests ( just in case of leaky poo)
2-3 babygros
Nappies
Cotton Wool
All in one coat (for travelling home in)
Blanket ( not necessary but some people like to put baby in car seat then put blanket over if chilly)


I would say all of the above are mainly essentials... however... you may find it nice to take in things to make you feel human again like

make up
magazines( good to dip in and out of rather than books)
puzzle book and pens
sweets to suck on in labour(could be a long labour)
small cartons of juice
cereal bars for early labour (keep energy levels up)
Socks(when your 10cm some people find their feet get cold before the pushing bit)
ear plugs (I've never bothered but wards can be noisy)
massage oil/essential oils may help you to relax (remember babies like "mums" natural smell so maybe just an almond oil would be good)
camera/video (new batteries!!)
car seat upon being picked up

Anything you forget or find you need when your in there...don't worry....your visitors will gladly run around and get extra bits and bobs.... above all this will be YOUR special time so make the most of it and ENJOY XXXX



Now re-reading your message I realise you didn't need a list... sorry.... i'm obviously one very bored, huge, overdue mum!! :eek:

Liz19

I'm not much help I'm afraid. I was only in labour for half an hour both times so didn't have time to use lip salve, etc. My husband was told to pack sandwiches the first time incase he got hungry(!!) while I was in labour but he didn't have time to eat them:)

Queenie

A boxing glove (for hubby when he holds your hand - nearly crushed my dh's fingers!)
A personal stereo and a relaxation tape/CD
Phone card or topup card, small change
A sense of humour
slipper socks (couple of pairs incase your waters break heavily and you need a change of something on your feet )
notebook and pen

Sarahsaver

no books or earplugs you will either be too knackered or too busy to care
LARGE sanitary towels because they give you horrid ones in hospital, if indeed they give you any at all
men's pants - the briefs style, because only they are big enough to hold the maternity pads, and you will appreciate the comfort if you have had stitches
plenty of spare pants/pyjamas in case you bleed a lot like i did the last time :rolleyes:
a flannel which you can wet and then suck when you are in labour, just in case you cant manage to drink - i was sick but a midwife gave me a wet flannel to suck for much needed refreshment
flip flops to wear in the shower - I don't trust hospital floors, especially in toilets and showers!
plenty of chocolate!

Jay-Jay_4

I was going to say socks as it's amazing how cold your feet get in labour!...but Julie beat me to it (what a fab list).

The only other thing which I suggest to all my expecting friends is kitchen roll! After the birth (esp if you've had stitches)you'll need to keep your..ahem...ladies bits...nice and clean. Some hospitals have a bidet type thing with a shower attachment and it's adviseable to have a little wash after every wee. The thing is that if you're using the same towel each time, it can all get a bit unhygenic, so use kitchen roll instead (good quality soft stuff ie: Bounty)

Have a roll in the bathroom at home too for when you get back (and a plastic jug ).

Lots of people dislike disposable knicks but I found that after a wash, it was nice to have clean knicks and pad, everything can then go in the bin.


Julie...You have a PM

Glad

I hate paper knickers so bought a dozen pairs of 30p ones from market

omega_2

- A spare top for Dad/Birth Partner!!!

- Boiled sweets were also welcome.

- If you taking a book to *read* during Labour - make sure it isn't too *high brow* - concentration is not too hot. And if you've got an extended stay in the hospital after, make sure you've got something, dare-I-say-it, non-baby orientated to read/do - or perhaps that was just me after 5 days in hospital and only able to find prima baby/practical parenting magazines on the ward!

And you've got the right idea about thinking about it NOW!!

Good luck, and be sure to watch out for the freebies on the ward: think I came out with three bags worth!!