MSE Pregnancy Club 27

squ1rrel5

Luella-14 wrote: »

I've just bought a couple of Matalan cheap night shirts too. I also got my Boots changing bag today so feeling like I'm making a start on the hospital bag too!
I found out today that my hospital run a special twin/multiple births class, once every quarter. The next one is March 12th, I'll be 36 weeks and as the secretary said there's a strong chance the babies will be arriving around then. Kinda wish they'd mentioned it earlier!

I bought a cheap nightshirt from Primark the other day to start my bag. I could do with a couple of others though for breast feeding etc, so I might try Matalan this week. to be honest I'm struggling to fit into any of my pj bottoms at the moment so a transfer into nighties is probably imminent!

Bought some backless slippers too. Determined to have some kind of bag packed before I hit 34/35 weeks, just in case...

mincepiemonster

Hi all, hope everyone is ok and having a nice chilled evening! We've got a pizza in the oven so hopefully DD complies and goes to sleep so we can enjoy it in peace! BZ that's great news that you're fully engaged, we are lucky here in that if I need induction they always get you in at 8am. I will go for induction on 26th January if nothing before then.

Had a sweep today, still just the 2cm but "soft and favourable" :rotfl:It didn't hurt and was more mentally uncomfortable - it's so strange as the midwife feels halfway between a healthcare professional and a friend given how much time we've spent together in the last 3 years (I had her for DD too)

I also went for reflexology this afternoon, not specifically to get things moving (I am still quite enjoying just having DD to worry about, and hoping baby is putting on some extra oz's of fat ready for the inevitable February cold snap!) but it was lovely and relaxing.

con1888

I've started gathering things for my hospital bag but not really sure what is NEEDED and what is more of a luxury, also need to decide what kind of bag... decisions decisions.

I usually overpack and OH and my mum laughed at me when I suggested taking a small trolley case

Birdie85

I've got a small trolley case! And it's full! Had to pack a separate bag for baby. I used the hospital bag list that's linked to on the lists that get posted, it's really useful. I figure it's better to overpack than find I'm missing something once I'm there.

bigzippy

mincepiemonster wrote: »

BZ that's great news that you're fully engaged, we are lucky here in that if I need induction they always get you in at 8am. I will go for induction on 26th January if nothing before then.

Had a sweep today, still just the 2cm but "soft and favourable" :rotfl:It didn't hurt and was more mentally uncomfortable - it's so strange as the midwife feels halfway between a healthcare professional and a friend given how much time we've spent together in the last 3 years (I had her for DD too)

Didn't feel lucky last night when it felt like my pelvis was coming apart again :rotfl: I won't miss that horse-kicked-pelvis feeling!

I wish we could go first thing. It's bothering me... But, still hoping that body knows what it's doing and I'll 'go naturally' before then...

Re the mentally uncomfortable, that's what's putting me off more. When TTC, I had loads of random exams, from people I never saw before or since and wasn't really bothered in the end. In the first say 6months of pregnancy I had a different midwife every time and that was a bit annoying continuity wise, but if a random had wanted to do a sweep I wouldn't've been bothered I don't think. But I've been seeing this one every week/fortnight etc for a couple of months now - I wouldn't say that I'd considered her anything close to a friend - but I don't really like the idea of her getting all up in my bits (! ) and then having to look her in the eye again at the next appointment! :rotfl: I feel the same with the GP tbh, I dread telling him anything that might require some kind of intimate examination Where I'm not bothered if the consultant/scanner/consultant's nurse has had to...

I actually went back to bed for a nap this afternoon and had a dream that I went and saw a random midwife and she did a sweep for me instead!

40+6

con1888

Birdie85 wrote: »

I've got a small trolley case! And it's full! Had to pack a separate bag for baby. I used the hospital bag list that's linked to on the lists that get posted, it's really useful. I figure it's better to overpack than find I'm missing something once I'm there.

Right that's my mind made then - the case goes ! It's probably smaller than some weekend bags anyways but just find its better as it has more compartments plus be easier to wheel around. Will have a look at the lists, as need to do one for baby too, got a little while yet (29 wks) but want to gather things gradually.

fran-o

My hospital bag is a wheelie bag too! Once I get my dressing gown and pillow in its pretty full! And we're packing lots: four outfits in newborn and 0-3 month sizes to be on the safe side! I also have a pj set and a nightie as I much prefer pjs usually but might prefer nightie if I end up with stitches or section. NHS has a hospital bag list if that helps anyone.

Fourth baby of our nct group born this morning, first one to be born without big intervention too, I was starting to dread the birth stories! (Two emergency c sections, one three day labour ending on forceps!) Apparently this was a very quick arrival!

bigzippy

con1888 wrote: »

I've started gathering things for my hospital bag but not really sure what is NEEDED and what is more of a luxury, also need to decide what kind of bag... decisions decisions.

I usually overpack and OH and my mum laughed at me when I suggested taking a small trolley case

Birdie85 wrote: »

I've got a small trolley case! And it's full! Had to pack a separate bag for baby. I used the hospital bag list that's linked to on the lists that get posted, it's really useful. I figure it's better to overpack than find I'm missing something once I'm there.

I've packed a "flight bag"/holdall type thing for me. The Boots freebie changing bag has a set of clothes for MiniZee, a sample pack of nappies, cotton wool and wipes (say 4-8nappies?) and the lasinoh and small samples of little products like that. Then I've packed DH's old gym bag for a few more changes of clothes and a pack of nappies, towel, blanket, snowsuit, muslins and breast pads, and a little snuggle teddy thing (you know, the little teddies with the bit of material on?) to keep in the car in case we have to stay in longer. And the car seat in the car

In my hospital bag I have:

• my toiletries - including dry shampoo (mostly the travel size jobbies - I figured I'd use them/reuse the bottles again when going to stay with parents etc anyway)
• towel
• hairbrush, hair grips, mascara, contact lenses etc
• lipbalm (I'm told this is invaluable in hospitals (I found this when MIL was in too) and esp when on gas & air) and moisturiser (I find hospital air really dries everything out and it can be really annoying)
• tissues (both because I'm obsessed with having some and because of my cold )
• medications & vitamins
• toothbrush & paste
• toothbrush, deodorant and change of underwear and tshirt for DH incase the process of birth is long and protracted (learnt this lesson when MIL was in hospital forever. Sometimes you just need a change of clothes to make you feel more human)
• bikini (and swim shorts for DH incase he gets in too) for birthing pool (hopefully)
• big old tshirt to birth in (if not in pool)
• something to sleep in
• spare underwear changes
• dressing gown & slippers/slipper socks
• sleep mask
• nursing bra
• nursing vests (with shelf support)
• breast pads
• maternity pads & witch hazel gel
• change of clothes to come home in
• phone charger
• snacks (& multipacks of a few drinks in the car)
• entertainment/boredom options - puzzle book, pad & pen, pack of cards, kindle etc
• emergency cash (mainly in case we're in longer than we'd like, but also for snacks/drinks for DH or car park charges etc)
• maternity notes

It's mostly stuff that was on the hospital list linked on here, with a few other bits I picked up from other lists/that applied to me more. Hope it helps...?

ETA: when I went round the maternity tour the lady was saying that you can bring what you like to make you comfortable, but some ladies go a bit OTT and sort of move in, and it makes it more difficult when they leave and gives them less space around the bed if they have to stay in on the postnatal ward. Also that if you have the option, it's better to leave extras of things in the car for if you need them, rather than cart them round everywhere with you from ward to ward.

Oh, and I also packed empty carrier bags - very useful for sending home washing, I find

And TENS machine

samtoby

When I see hospital bag lists that makes it feel so much closer! I took a huge bag last time and I probably went a bit overboard.

emz118

I've just sat down to have dinner and catch up on here in between bag packing, so strange to see the conversation! Hehe!


My bag has pretty much the same as bigzippy... I have a wheely bag for me and my Radley changing bag (slightly bigger than the boots one and more pockets) for baby.


We're only 20 mins from the hospital so hubby can bring anything else in without too much trouble I hope, and we're within 2 mins walk of a 24 hour Tesco for really desperate times!!!