Hello and congratulations on being a "Mummy to be". What an exciting time for you!! I packed two bags- one with things I would need during labour and the other for my stay in hospital. In my labour bag I had: a couple of facewashers, handtowel, maternity pads, slippers, t-shirt, bathers or shorts for my hubby to help me in the shower ( no midwife wants to come in and find your partner starkers in the shower rubbing your back!!!), an old nightie (things can get a bit mucky) and a new one to put on after bubs is born, my birth plan written out, wheat pack, socks( sounds like a weird thing but your feet get really cold because your blood is rushing to other parts of your body), singlet crop top, undies( ones with really stong elastic are best because when you have a maternity pad in it helps to hold them up better), cd's and a portable cd player, all the usual toiletries, lollies and snacks (you don't know how long you might be there and even if you don't want to eat your birth partner may get hungry), hairbands to keep your hair out of your face (during labour I just felt so hot so it was good to get my hair away from my face, magazines, books, card games etc., an outfit and singlet, hat, nappies and a couple of blankets for when your new buuba first gets dressed.I had most things packed ready to go but there were a few thing I had written on a list for my hubby to collect around the house like my hairbrush etc and pack as we were going to hospital.I was doubled over on the floor having contractions 2 minutes apart and he was racing around asking me where stuff was- I told him I didn't care about them and I didn't want them anymore I was in too much pain and just wanted to get to the hospital!!! I had it all planned that I'd have music playing and read a magazine get hubby to massage my feet etc but my labour was fairly short and intense and after all the trouble I went to I didn't use anything out of my bag!!!!! In my other bag I had more maternity pads( you'll need lots of these) lots of clean nighties and pj's suitable for opening to breastfeed if thats your plan. If you end up needing a catheter for any reason it can make wearing pj's a bit difficult so nighties are handy, slippers, plastic bags to send home the dirty washing, nursing pads, lots of nappies and wipes, baby toiletries( bath wash, powder etc), scented nappy sacks, dressing gown, loose comfortable clothing like a tracksuit, truck loads of undies, bedsocks, baby clothing, singlets, blankets,hats, scratch mittens, burp cloths, booties/socks, outfit for going home and warm jacket depending on your climate and the kitchen sink!! I am a chronic overpacker so you could probably halve this list and still have too much but I hope it has given you a few ideas and helps a bit. Best wishes to you on your upcoming birth.
I found there wasn't really anything I needed to pack for the birth. I think i had packed some music and a nightie but I was so out of it and so tired I never used the CD's and I just ended up waering a hospital gown.
I had to stay in the hospital for 5 days , so after the birth I needed:
A few pairs of pyjammas, socks, and underwear
A nursing bra
A bathrobe and slippers
Snacks (got really hungry between meals)
Entertainment for when baby was sleeping and I could not (magazines, books, knitting,)
Pads (the hospital ones were terrible)
Brush and Hairband
Toothbrush and Paste
Soap, Shampoo, Deoderant
Clothes to go home in
Camera and extra batteries
Phone number list so I could call people with the good news
And that was pretty much all I needed. Everything else they provided for me.
For baby:
An outfit and hat to go home in
Car seat and blankies
(didn't need diapers or toiletries, they were provided)
Congrats! I would check with your hospital as to what you need to take. The hospital I was at I supplied nothing for DD. But where my sister was she also had to take pillow cases to put over the crib mattress. Apart from the things the obvious things that the girls have mentioned these are some of my nice to haves that i ended up getting brought to the hospital. Kleenex/sorbent flushable wet wipes. You can't always have a shower and you feel so much cleaner and they're heaps gentler! DD was in NSCU so I was up and down from the ward all the time and I must say that I ended up getting my make up brought up to the hospital (only a mineral powder and a few basics nothing OTT) I felt so human and happier and it eased the cabin fever by wearing some comfy clothes not just pj's. I highly recommend the Bonds feeding singlets. They're soo easy and I loved them because they still covered my tummy and i wasn't fighting with trying to holda shirt above my boob and learning to attach DD. They're especially great for night time too. Phone and phone charger. Lip gloss, nail scissors/clippers. Camera and battery charger. Oh and the Lasinoh cream if you're BFing - your nipples will appreciate it!
What to pack for hospital!
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