I have been told I need to prepare my bag for the hospital (when I go into labour). I have all the basic stuff that the books/ magazines/websites tell me to pack. I was just wondering if there were any other items that people took and would really recommend me to pack (that don't appear on the 'usual' lists)? Any MUST have items? Any good advice?
2006-10-13 08:50:29 · 23 answers · asked by missluly 3 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Pregnancy
Ok i've done this a couple of times now and i think i have it sussed. The most important things to take are at least six pairs of those knickers you stretched beyond keeping while pregnant, once dirty you can just throw them away!! Do not use the disposable ones from mothercare they are beyond yuk. Any thing else the midwives have if you forget. You will not need half the things the lists say you do. Only two or three sleepsuits at most, if your a first timer its really important to get the ones that undo all the way down the front, wait till someone gets you one of the others as a gift you'll understand. A Cardi (for baby) not a jumper, it will take you a while to realise the babys head won't fall off when you touch it. One pack of disposable nappies (motherearth ones are good, you won't feel so guilty as they are mostly biodigradable) Something decent to eat, you will be starving and hospital food is not what it should be, and some arnica tablets (from holland and Barrats) they promote healing. Oh and when the bounty pack arrives open it in the hospital, take out the freebies and vouchers and then leave the rest.
Good luck I hope it goes ok.
2006-10-13 09:29:36 · answer #1 · answered by sarah d 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can never have enough paper knickers, imho! I know they are gross and unpleasant things but they really do the job the first day or two after having a baby, don't forget you have to change them every hour or two at first and in hospital it's much easier to just roll em em and throw them away. Also, plenty of thick sanitary towels, use the night time ones, they are better value for money compared to the maternity ones and do the job just as well. Apart from that, I always followed the lists in the magazines!
2006-10-13 10:19:07 · answer #2 · answered by loreleilee23 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
All I used at the hospital was a camera, a boppy pillow, some videos we had rented, my toiletries, my clothes to go home in, and my babies' clothes to take her home in. With the first two babies I took everything on those lists and didn't use most of it, with my third I just took the stuff I knew I would use. It's kind of a hassle when you are being moved to a new room or when you are going home to have a lot of stuff to worry about. Especially if people bring you gifts and flowers. Most of the stuff you won't really remember to use while you are in labor, you'll be so uncomfortable. And once you have your baby you will be so busy you won't use them then either. Usually the nurses have lots of stuff for you to fill out or videos to watch, the rest of the time you will be taking care of your baby, sleeping, or entertaining visitors.
2006-10-13 09:07:13 · answer #3 · answered by mommyem 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Save lots of change up and keep in your hospital bag for the car park and pay phone! I did it and it was so much easier than scrapping together, there was loads of dads struggling for change but I had my little bag to give to my husband. It was lucky I did save the change because I was kept in hospital for 4 days so it came in handy.
Another tip is to nominate a person to be the announcer. I asked a family member to let everyone now that I had gone into labour, that way we only needed to make one phone call.
Good luck, hope it all goes well.
2006-10-13 09:00:50 · answer #4 · answered by chelle0980 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Ridiculous? No I don't think so. When I first heard, I was liek What the hell?! But thinking about it, the body is quirky. And it might have something to do with just biologically the blood/pressure whatever having an affect on the clitoris. It reminded me of hearing about straight men that been gang raped by other men and they were completely distraught because ti was the most awful expreience they had obviously, but it actually gave them an erection and ejaculation at the time. I think the doctors said this was because of something to do with the prostate and was natural to happen in some cases. So I'm guessing it could be similar?
2016-03-28 07:53:47 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
1) Lip balm - gas and air can make your lips dry.
2) Arnica - helps with bruising, heal faster.
3) Mp3 player - helps with your sanity when you can't sleep at night!
4) Notebook and pen so you can make notes, jot down feeding times, questions that you want to ask the midwives.
5) Socks in case your feet get cold.
6) Chocolate - you will deserve it!
7) Ear plugs - everyone elses baby will keep you awake at night!
8) Pack as much dignity as you can as you will loose most of it when in labour!
9) Camera.
10) A 'V' shaped pillow - excellent for helping get a good feeding position.
Hope all goes well, just remember to keep moving, it will help speed up the labour and make the pushing easier! Pethindine is a great drug!
2006-10-13 09:08:24 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
The one thing I forgot was a change of clothes to go home in for myself. I wore shorts and a top in cold weather because I was so warm. Needless to say I froze on my way home.
Another recommendation I have is to take a pack of your favorite brand of maxi pad. Get the thickest, widest, longest ,most comfy (yeah I know) ones you can. The ones at the hospital are nasty.
Personal toiletries.
Don't take any underpants you want to keep after wards and take plenty of them.
Warm socks.
Clothes to take the baby home in.
Car Seat.
paper and pen.. to record hospital visits and gifts for the baby book.
I honestly didn't use half of the things in my bag. I sent most of it home.
2006-10-13 12:02:42 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
A camera. Either digital or disposible. You might not want anyone taking pictures during the labor but afterwards and during your stay is great. Also, it is much cheaper than the hospital pictures that they offer you. Though those are still real cute. :)
I don't remeber if this is on the list, but don't forget comfy slippers. Espcially for those trips back and forth on the cold floor from your bed to the bathroom and just walking around.
2006-10-13 08:59:32 · answer #8 · answered by Kyanadri82 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Don't take too much as you don't get much storage space. Take nice big socks for when your feet get cold-also they may swell up after the baby's born, mine did. don't take loads of baby stuff as you might want to know the weight and sex of the baby first-my first baby was big so nothing fit him then my 2nd was prem so I had nothing small enough. Get paper knickers from Mothercare-handy if you have an emergency c-section because you can tear them down the front, don't spoil your nice underwear. don't worry about your birth plan either-it all goes out the window when you're in labour (I forgot mine anyway). don't worry about anything because it can all be brought in later if you forget it! take care and the best of luck :) x x x
2006-10-13 09:12:41 · answer #9 · answered by Twisty 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I took a stereo (battery powered) and some CDs. Ended up giving birth to the strains of Burt Bacharach.
A bottle of squash. You *will* be thirsty and plastic jugged water sucks.
Lots of snacks! I missed dinnertime and boy, did I regret it. I was bleedin' ravenous for the first time in 9 months, LOL. So get a sandwich and some flapjacks and fruit.
Don't take scented toiletries, it can really play havoc with the baby's skin. BTDT, bad mistake.
Lots of change for the phone; no mobiles permitted! And your numbers, obviously
A camera - you may want to take some pix when you're on your own with the baby.
Also, gaffa tape for the gobby mums who give birth in the middle of the night and join the ward with a f*cking noisy entourage.
Good luck!
2006-10-13 08:57:41 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋