What to pack in Labour Bag?

ailuro2

I agree- plenty of drinks and snacks for yourself and OH- thankfully my OH didn't each much when I was in labour, cos I was ravenous after it and scoffed all his share too!!

I was told by the nurses to wear the hospitals gowns instead of my own nice new ones, as they'd probably have blood etc on them as little mishaps were common.:o Take your own pads,though, cos the hospitals are massive!

heather38

i must be a scruff. i took in 2 tesco bags for life!
1 for me with:
nighty x2 one to deliver one to sleep in
dressing gown.
slipper socks x2
towels
pack of maternity pads
spray bottle of water.
6 bottles of water
one of those selection bags of mini mars bars
underwear and feeding bra.
didn't bother with clean clothes, i put clean ones on to go in and got changed straight away on the delivery suite.
and my tens machine
for baby:
pack of nappies
3 vests
3 baby gros
cotton wool (wasn't allowed wipes on postnatal ward)
snow suit
scratch mits.
that was it. my oh brought the car seat the next day to come home.

Miss_Kitty_Fantastico

thanks everyone

loads of brilliant advice - as usual :T

haylibo

Have you tried 'freecycle' to see if anyone has a bag? A great place to go for baby and toddler stuff too, amazing how much people give away and would rather see go to a good home than to the tip.

BW on the birth of bump:)

Hayles

squashy

I took 2 bags:

a small labour bag with a flannel, bobble, a big old t-shirt for birthing, cereal bars, a sachet of shampoo for jumping straight in the shower after, a couple of sanitary pads and a first outfit for baby (sleepsuit, vest, nappy, hat, cardigan), bagged seperately inside in a bright coloured carrier bag so I could point it our easily to partner for him to sort out baby while I got cleaned up.

Then a hospital bag for my stay, so clean nightie, dressing gown, knickers and slippers (packed right at the top for after my shower, along with a towel!), 2 changes of outfit for baby and nappies, spare nightie for me, more sanitary pads, more toileteries inc tissues and toothbrush, going home clothes for me and baby, cuddle blanket/shawl, book/puzzle book.

inkie

Can I sugguest that you take a bag within a bago for the stuff that you will need on LW. That way, if you go in and are sent to the ward, for whatever reason, you don't have to cart the big bag back around to LW. I'm a MW, and as delivery rooms arn't that big, it's not ideal to have big bags around.
Also - i would advise dark coloured nighties/PJs/knickers and towels. Nothing worse than seeing someone walking down the ward and having big red patches on light-coloured clothing if caught out.

inkie

Also, just re-red the original post - do you mean Miss Kitty, that you have had to start your mat leave early. If you are 29 weeks and ill, even with a preg-related illness, you should be on sick, not on mat leave, and as a result may be better off?

starbump

Miss_Kitty_Fantastico wrote: »

Can anyone advise on the bare minimum i will need to buy to take to the hospital for the birth of the bump

I would suggest change of clothes for everyone (you, hubby/birth partner, baby), "Always" night time sanitary towels, shower gel, two books to read (one for you, one for hubby/birth partner), "Lansinoh" breast pads.

I would also fill a changing bag for baby. (The hospital will provide the basics if you forget them but you will probably prefer your own brands.)

If you travel by car, then you also need a baby car seat. I would also use something to sit on when travelling to the hospital because - you know.

Miss_Kitty_Fantastico

inkie wrote: »

Also, just re-red the original post - do you mean Miss Kitty, that you have had to start your mat leave early. If you are 29 weeks and ill, even with a preg-related illness, you should be on sick, not on mat leave, and as a result may be better off?

Hi Inkie

I am on sick leave but unfortunately have used up all my full pay entitlement so now on 1/2 pay. When my maternity leave starts i will then go up to 9/10th for 6 weeks and then back down to 1/2 pay

Lillibet_2

Forget the dressing gown, those wards are really really hot!

I took a ton of stuff with me & used hardly any of it. Most important :

x3 nightware (one to give brith in) of choice but big & old as they'll prob need throwing away afterwards. Deep front opening is good if you plan to breast feed.
Disposable knickers or big old knickers (again to be thrown away)
Socks (feet get cold during labour)
Flip flops (cooler than slippers & can be worn in the shower to prevent athlets foot etc in public showers!)
Lip salve (a must!)
Drinks & snacks (Lots!)
Books for you & partner (giving birth is long & sometimes boring!)
Change for the phone/car park/those pesky pay per day tv's...again labour is long & boring.
Tens machine if you are so inclined
Sanitary towels
Big bath towel (hospitals don't provide these!)
Ear-plugs (You're babe might sleep like an angel but everyone elses on the ward won't!)
If breast feeding then night time feeding bra (much more comfy for the first week or 2 than day time ones) & Kamillosan cream!
Wet wipes, deodorant & toilteries. You may think you won't be interested in make up but I gave birth wearing tinted moisturiser & tinted lip balm & everyone remarks on how good I look in those first photos!
I went home in the clothes I arrived in.

For babe
3 vests
3 sleepsuits
hat
cardi
pack of nappies
cooton wool
CAMERA!!!!!!!!!!!

Car seat, blanket & coat in the car.

HTH & good luck;)