What to pack in Labour Bag?

Becles

From memory:

old nightie to give birth in

old knickers are more comfy than paper pants

sanitary/maternity pads. Thick ones are better than thin (not scaring you, but you can have heavy bleeding for the first 24-48 hours)

bras and breast pads (even if not breastfeeding, you still produce milk)

nipple cream

if breastfeeding, an easy access to breasts nightie/pj's!

toiletry bag with flannel - nice to freshen up if long labour

elastics or hair clips to keep long hair out of the way

something to read in case you go through a slow boring stage!

for baby:

nappies

cotton wool and baby lotion (first poo's are very sticky, and baby lotion gets it off better than wipes)

vests and sleepsuits (didn't bother "dressing" baby in hospital)

Cath_S

In addition to Becles;

Clothes for you to go home in (either maternity stuff or baggy jogging pants, that type of thing),

Camera

A bag of sweeties for the midwives. A good excuse for them to keeping popping in to see you if you're left alone at any stage. Some snacks are also useful, if not for yourself for your OH.

Nightdress or pj's and dressing gown for overnight stays once given birth.

HTH and good luck

funky-footprints

i also had socks & new slippers packed for during , and a sensible track suit that would fit to wear home. (I was only in hospital for the day when my daughter was born, went in, in nighty, dressing gown & slippers), and i forgot to pack anything to wear home on my feet, i was distraught leaving for home in my slippers)
clothes wise for baby i packed 2 baby vests, 2 sleep suits and a going homefit, including a baby shawl.

i packed a lovely toiletry bag full with little travel things, although didnt use half as my legs were to wobbly to shower for long. only packed cotton wool & nappies for baby, babies first bottom wipe in hospital was with a bowl of warm water and cotton wool.

definately pack the largest sanitary towels you can found, you'll understand after giving birth !!

how exciting for you !!! scary but terribly exciting.

Icemaiden

Don't forget the car seat to bring baby home in.

cuffie

Definitely don't forget a stash of food for your birthing partner as mentioned above (you don't want them deserting you coz their tummy rumbling after being at your bedside for hours!), and cartons of drink...handy for you too.

I found one of those magicool sprays good.

Any CDs you want to listen to? (must be honest - I was happy with the radio)

List of phone numbers for OH to make that all important phonecall!!!!
(in order of "importance"....)

Best of luck!!!! xx

flea72

as for the sanitary towels dont buy the proper maternity ones as they are really expensive. any shops value brands one work just as well, just use two at a time for length, iyswim (well you will see afterwards, lol)

as said above, your comfy old knickers are better than the paper ones, as they dont seem to have a front and back, so tend to just end up like a big puffball

other than that, i take very few things. a tracksuit for me, maybe one or two nappies for the baby, a bit of cotton wool, a couple of sleep suits, etc. Normally if everything has gone ok, most hospitals only keep you in for 24hrs max, if however you need to stay in longer than that, its easier for your other half to just keep bringing things in as you need them. Your hospital should also have told you if you need to provide your own bottles/formula, although most do provide this for the first 24hrs.

hope everything goes ok

flea

fesdufun

I would have died for my own pillow as the hospital one were not that great. Also a "V" shaped pillow is great for breastfeeding.

I also took my own mug as the unit had a tea/coffee machine but the cups were tiny and I like a big cup. Used a travel one with a lid so it stayed warm for longer.

As has already been said, something like a tracksuit or maternity clothes to go home in. I don't mean to scare you but that bump doesn't disappear over night so don't except to go home in "normal" clothes.

I also took a list of all the people (with their telephone no's) I wanted OH to call with the happy news.

A portable CD player is also useful if you like listening to music (check with your hospital first as they may only allow battery operated ones).

I would also pack some disinfecant wipes that way you can give the bath/toilet etc a wipe down before you use them. It may sound a bit over the top but birth is a messy business and hospital are not always as clean as you would expect.

As well as some snacks I took some cartons of orange juice.

Also two flannels and a couple of large towels may be useful.

Good luck.

across

some crisps,some nice biscuits, sweet things keep your energy up, cartons of pop are handy and any other snacks you like because you may get in and have just missed a meal and feel peckish etc...nice to have a few home comforts , a little hand held fan (i never even used mine though!) chocolate is great at anytime!i packed my tankini for water birth but didnt get there had it in bedroom instead!!!!!!!! bag of change for phone always handy!! magazine though you may not have time in the end to read it or puzzle book! hope ive helpe if i remember anything else ill let you know good luck!!!!!! ps the paper pants are great they save on washing i recommend you buy a few!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Gingham_Ribbon

Big pants are more comfy than paper ones, particularly if you end up needed a section.

T shirts or baggy tops if you're breast feeding are more discreet than having to undo pjs or lift up a nighty.

Take some cream or massage oil and ask oh or friend for foot or back rub when you get the chance!

Healthy snacks. (I always end up with constipation when I'm in hospital because of the food and the hormone changes and possible medication you have may have that effect too.)

A book or walkman for when baby's sleeping and you are too excited to do the same.

Plenty of vests and baby grows. This might be something for someone to pick up after the event. I had a very big baby and none of the newborn stuff fitted. This applies to nappies as newborn ones would have been too small. (They wouln't let us use washables while we were in hospital.)

When you know what size nappy to get, make sure you have loads. My husband brought 10 one morning and I'd done 10 changes by the evening and the midwives were a bit snooty about giving me hospital ones. He pooed a LOT the first few weeks!

Ooooh! Have FUN! You lucky thing, you. x

purplepurple

All of the above... plus some vaseline or similar for your lips whilst giving birth... particularly if it's a long labour (I'm sure it won't be!) your lips can become very dry and you may not be allowed to drink anything..... I know I would have killed for some when I had my first.....

I'd also say take your birth announcement cards to write once your little one has arrived.... if you're going to be in for a day or more, it's a great opportunity to get them done.....there is a lot of hanging around even if you're only in for a day.

I used mesh pants... sound and look awful.... but they really held the pads in place because they mould themselves to your bum and legs.... if you know anyone in France, get them to send some to you, they're very cheap over there so you just chuck them away afterwards.


oooh forgot.... lavendar oil and tree tree oil.... put a couple of drops of each in the bath when you get back home (and for the next week or so)... helps your stitches heal quicker..... and dry them with a hairdryer too... lot less painful than using a towel...... blimey... giving birth is so undignified :rotfl: