What to pack in Labour Bag?

Lillibet_2

Thanks everyone


I have heard of raspberry leaf tea, will ask in Holland & Barrett, I assume they will stock it?

Now, a silly thing to be concerned about when we're talking about labour & stiches I know, but will I not be able to use a hair dryer in hospital then? Although I don't have particually long hair it takes literally hours to dry naturally & I always give it a few minutes blast with a hair dryer to start it off. I really hate sitting around with wet hair, it isn't a vanity thing, it's a comfort thing. I can't imagine not needing to wash the sweat out of it after labour but I really will need to blow dry it to some degree, any suggestions? I know it's a stupid thing to focus on but it's bothering me now I feel really guilty beacuse it's nothing compared to what Julie is going through today:eek:

Js_Other_Half

Lillibet wrote:

Now, a silly thing to be concerned about when we're talking about labour & stiches I know, but will I not be able to use a hair dryer in hospital then? Although I don't have particually long hair it takes literally hours to dry naturally & I always give it a few minutes blast with a hair dryer to start it off. I really hate sitting around with wet hair, it isn't a vanity thing, it's a comfort thing. I can't imagine not needing to wash the sweat out of it after labour but I really will need to blow dry it to some degree, any suggestions?

I have a microfibre towel - the type from jml- which takes a lot of the water off my hair very quickly. They pack down really small for your bag too

carpool72

Lillibet wrote:

Does anyone know if I'll be allowed to use a personal radio rather than a CD player? I much prefer to listen to the raido but was wondering if it would have the same effect as mobile phones & therefore not be allowed?

QUOTE]

You might get a hospital tour a bit nearer the time - check with your midwife if they do that. If not there should be a video/DVD so you have an idea of what the place looks like and what they provide. My hospital has a v. posh TV/radio/phone system, which of course you have to pay for but if you but a cheap card to pay for phone calls the radio is free (and it's cheaper for you to call out than for people to call you - what a swizz!).
My friend swears by lavender essential oil - not only is it relaxing just to smell, but she put some in a bath when things were going a bit slow and it really made a difference.
A dressing gown in case of communal meals.
The top tip I was given is to sleep with a baby blanket for a while and take it with you so your baby's cot smells familiar. And in August it might be hot (we hope!) so instead of blankets you could use an old pillow case split down 2 sides. My baby was born in a hot June but for the first couple of weeks would only settle if she was wrapped up / swaddled and a blanket would have been too hot. The pillowcase was perfect and I undid her as soon as she dropped off so she wouldn't overheat.
Also, take twice as much knickers, pads, nappies & wipes as you think you'll need! Much better to take extras back home than be desperately waiting for fresh supplies.
And you'll definitely want plenty food & water!


Julie, I hope all goes well and soon. Remember, if you do end up in hospital you can still make the environment more relaxing and home-like with some home comforts, music, dimmed lights etc. Not perfect, but sometimes we have to make the most of what we have to work with - it can still be a good experience. Good luck!

carpool72

Hi Lillibet, just posted, then read yours - you should get the raspberry leaf tea in H&B and I think the taste thing is quite individual - I quite liked it though I know lots of people don't. I had long hair back then (it didn't last!) & I took a hairdryer with no probs - maybe check with the midwife if you want to be certain it's OK. She'll be used to being asked things like that I'm sure.

Jay-Jay_4

You can get raspberry leaf tablets too if you can't face the tea

Just an update on Julie, and I hope that she doesn't mind me passing this on, they may let her go another couple of days until they induce her so lets all keep our fingers crossed that her baby puts in an appearance on it's own (if it hasn't already) x

KK

I had an elective caesarean so I knew I was in there for a few days, many of the things already mentioned I took, but here are some extra ideas:

Arnica tablets (help you heal - excellent)
Gameboy - helped me distract myself while I was waiting
Birth announcement cards and address labels - you may have time to write them while you have help with your baby
Net knickers (bought mine from NCT) - they were super comfy and stretchy and rinsed and dried easily
Baby book - does anyone ever read the after birth chapter
Really nice shampoo and shower gel - makes you feel a little pampered
Proper clothes rather than nighties and PJs - I wore loose t shirts and tracksuits pants and felt much happier and less like an 'ill' person!
Biscuits and sweets (I used mine to bribe the midwives to toast my bread, bath my baby etc!!)
Drinks for visitors (I was famous for having a coolbox full of wine and beer for visitors!)
Who wants to be a Millionaire Quiz Book - gave us a bit of a laugh while we were waiting
V pilllow (£5 from Argos) for breastfeeding and sleeping - brilliant!
Lavender oil - a few drops in your bath help you heal (natural antiseptic)
Nipple cream - for breastfeeding - can be sore at first!

As you can imagine I had loads of junk, so I packed a little as if I was going on holiday as it was 5 days!

Dormouse

Yes you can get raspberry tea from Holland & Barrett, and I actually quite liked it too (but then again, I am quite a herbal tea sort of person anyway).

Also wanted to say great tip from the previous poster about a baby book - in hospital, the staff seemed so busy and my questions seemed so silly (and you will have lots of questions!), that it was reassuring to read up on things in black and white. (Fortunately, babies tends to sleep a lot in the first 24 hrs, so you might have time to read - not for long though!). Even the Bounty book they'll give you is better than nothing.

PS. Hope you watched the Channel 4 documentary last night, Lillibet! It's great being able to see what your little one looks like in your tummy... It brought it all back & now am all broody again :eek:

JULIE

Hello everyone.....

Thank you all so much for your support xxxxxxxxx

I put off the induction today, had monitoring and she gave me my 4th sweep.
I have to go back in tomorrow (sat) and sunday for daily monitoring and as long as all is well with CTG I can still birth at home ( dependent on discoloured waters) and policy of community midwives....... luckily she phoned me as she'd come to visit in hosp and realised i'd gone...so I asked her re policy of being 2 weeks over etc and birthing at home ( hosp lot weren't keen), but community lot great!!! But Monday is deadline day..... and if no change it'll be definate and 8.30 i'll be pessaried.......

Will keep you all posted
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

NB have also been trying clary sage baths????!!! not sure how effective this is supposed to be and what its supposed to stimulate but trying it all the same

scared-i-jellyfish

definitely food and carton drinks!!!!!

my first child i had at 8pm but had to stay in hospital over night - was starving!!!! - the nurses gave me two pieces of toast to keep me happy til the morning.

Also on a more personal note...... for those very sore bits afterwards..... try putting a handful of chamomile tea bags in the bath with you.... very soothing.

All the best.

pavlovs_dog

this giving birth malarky sounds painful, im starting to go off the idea of having a big family lol!

im still intrigued by this ice cream tub thing....forgive me for being a complete novice, but what exactly is 'topping and tailing'?!