What was the most useful thing you took with you to hossy? There were a couple of things for me, and they all relate to sanitary items, including granny sized knickers! I didn't find the midwives offered me any sanitary pads, or even breast pads, as someone told me they would. I had my doubts about that, hence why I took my own, along the same lines of taking all baby's nappies! Someone told me they would be supplied, and someone else told me the opposite, so when in doubt... take your own! Oh, and fruit juice! Cordial is okay from the kitchenette, but juice is so much nicer!
And, what was the MOST USELESS? I think I had two most useless items. A book, and my cd player/discman. I never had the time to get into my book, and I found the cord on the discman SO annoying. I thought I could use either to distract myself during labour (whoever told me that should be dragged out and shot! No, I mean, how can you possibly distract yourself from that much pain? Really?). Although, I am thinking about taking my little mp3/4 player, if I can figure out how to put some relaxing music on there from CD (is that even possible??), as it has a much shorter cord, and isn't as bulky. If I can get the music on there, I will get myself one of those arm bands, as my nighties don't have pockets, and I won't have to carry it around in my hands.
For those that took makeup (I wasn't much of a makeup person at the time of my last bub), did you get around to putting any on, or did it stay in your bag? I'm thinking of taking a *little* bit of makeup to try and make myself feel better, especially if I am in there all week again!
Who overpacked? Or underpacked?
And did you separate your 'labour' bag goodies from all your 'hospital' bag goodies, or was everything just in one bag? I had ALL my things in one bag, and the Man brought the bag of baby things in separately I think, but I could be wrong about that. I will probably take all my things in one bag again, but have a few things that I *anticipate* that I might want during the labour easily accessible, so I can find them in a rush, or the Man! I have already started writing a list, and packing a few things (), as well as writing a list of where things are for Steph at home, so that if the Man is home with her for a long period of time, he doesn't have to turn the house upside down looking for things. Not that there is much, but I am sure it might make his life easier.
I went into labour 3 weeks early and very, very quickly.
When we got to the hospital I realised I was clutching my mascara in one hand and my body butter in the other.......no way was I making the mistake of having none on me in hospital.....PHOTOS WILL BE TAKEN. You will have that elated but half dead look about you in the pictures for years to come. Give yourself a fighting chance ladies
Didn't the hospital give you a list of things to take in?
Anyway - YES, get a tinted moisturiser as its easy to slap on, mascara and lip gloss.
TOILET PAPER - the softest and thickest you can find.
The most ueful thing I took was mens Bonds bikini briefs! They have plenty of room in the crutch to accommodate those enornous sanitary pads and I didnt feel bad afterwards throwing them out. I would have felt bad about throwing out my girly knickers!
If you decide to do this, DONT let DH talk you into "If you can wear mine, surely it is OK for me to wear yours!!!!".
The most useful was stuff for baby - nappies, wipes, some clothes and some bunny rugs. We were given a small packet of nappies and wipes, but I took extra because they don't last long. For me it was pads and some snacks - I was always hungry in hospital, breakfast, lunch and dinner were too far apart!
I'm yet to go into hospital yet but I did pack on recommendation from a friend some wet wipes for toilet, more comfy if any probs with stitches or haemorrhoids. Charming! I'm sure i'll be thanking her though..
I took a labour bag & a hossy bag. If I give birth again I will only have a hossy bag. Initially we walked in with the labour bag & the midwives said bring your hossy bag in so DF went back to the car and got it.
Most useless items: pretty much everything in my labour bag. I did not use my nighty until I got to the room (laboured in my own clothes then the hospital gowns x several as it was a long labour). I had little shampoo/conditioners & soap. All were in the showers at the hossy. I did not use the deoderant until I was in my room. My own toilet paper. - the hossy stuff was fine.
Most useful items: Lip balm - the only thing I used from the labour bag. Money to pay for the TV as the lady only took cash & if you couldn't pay her you had to wait til the next day when you could.
I didn't use my make up at all. I took very little but just didn't feel like wearing it. My photos don't look that bad at all.
DD was early and i was on my own so had to get a friend to drive me...in the rush i forgot my labour bag! so i guess i cannae offer any sage advice on what to bring in there...although i was dreaming of my jellybeans...eventually DH brought the bag in, but by that stage i was totally in my own world...
best things:
some lip gloss (for quick photo glam!! and to hydrate when b/f and from the air con)
camera!!
pretty nighty for guests (and for you to feel spesh when walking the halls or heading up to nursery)
dressing gown (for the midnight juggernauts to SCN if you need to be there)
soaps from home (to give you a sense of normalacy after bubs is born)
not so good things (ie stuff i wont bother with next time)
Scented body wash (great for after labour, I still remember the elation after birth when I smell it!)
Mens' undies
Sard wonder stick (to put on stained clothing before sending home with DH to wash)
Box of choccies for the midwives
Comfy maternity pads (the pads the hossy supplied didn't have waterproof backing, so my thins were good)
Things I didn't use:
Books!
Magazines!
2 packs of breast pads (one or 2 pads would have been OK)
Things I wished I packed:
Extra enviro bags to take gifts home in
And I had 3 bags (5 day stay)
- labour (including baby's first outfit)
- mine (pj's, other toiletries, phone charger etc)
- baby's (as suggested by hossy)
Soft toilet paper (the wet ones are great!)
Mascara, lip gloss and tinted moisturiser (made me feel better!)
A really nice shower gel (OMG I loved my first shower after giving birth)
Comfy day clothes
Warm socks (had cold feet!)
Cold/hot pack
My own breast pump as the hospital ones not always available when I needed it
Snacks
Worst things:
Book (didn't feel like reading)
Too many clothes (didn't need half of what I took)
Yep had 2 bags too. One for labour with snacks/drink, bubs first outfit, camera, change of clothes for me and DH, mat pads, pg card and birth plan, music. Other bag had everything bub and I needed for hospital stay (ticked off list from hospital).
You girls have pretty much covered it, but one mistake I made was buying some new singlets for the hossy and finding nothing fit over my bbs. I didnt anticipate how big the things will get once the milk came in.
Yes, the hossy did give me a list. I'll have to find it again, I think I thought some things on there were going to be useless, and others not. Tinted moisturiser, check. Mascara, check. Lip gloss, check, check, check! (Well maybe I want to wear the tinted one. Or the glossy one. Or maybe my lips are just plain 'ole dry! ). Even though I always have lip balm with me, I never used it in my last labour, even though my lips were so dry (I'm sure it had to do with how I was breathing/the nos), so I would just get the Man to put a little bit of water on them (via sign language of course!)
I actually didn't mind the hossy toilet paper, even with stitches!
I'm sorry, that is the thought of the Man trying to squeeze himself into my little g's! And I think I'm glad my granny knickers are all pinky and girly! I had to buy them especially for the last birth!
Bon, I agree on the food! But luckily I found the kitchenette. I could often be found in there in the middle of the night (sometimes twice in one night!) making myself something (usually cereal, not much else there!) and a cup of tea (especially when I felt cold from having a temp.)
Deni, I have also heard of people packing (or at least checking with the hossy if they have them) a hair dryer for 'down there'.
Kaz, I thought of packing a bar of sard soap this time too. And isn't it wonderful how smells make you remember things? I've already packed a new bottle of scented body wash to take!
Sangie, am taking bed socks this time too! I only used my hot/cold pack to try and warm myself at night when I got a bad temperature when my milk came through. Good idea on taking your own breast pump too. Adding that to my list right now.
This has been really interesting to see what others have taken. And how we all seem to feel about books and magazines! Is there anyone else?
Good one Fiona! They do come in handy occasionally....
The other thing that I didn't take the first time is nail clippers for baby! Steph's grew so fast in hossy, it was like a cat! Especially since I was in 5 days, they really did grow a lot in that time, and was very painful when it came to feeding! So, this time, they are definately coming (They're already on the list)
HA! I'll probably only be in there one or two nights this time, and not use anything I'm taking!
Things you took to hospital....
), as well as writing a list of where things are for Steph at home, so that if the Man is home with her for a long period of time, he doesn't have to turn the house upside down looking for things. Not that there is much, but I am sure it might make his life easier.
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I'm sorry, that is the thought of the Man trying to squeeze himself into my little g's! And I think I'm glad my granny knickers are all pinky and girly! I had to buy them especially for the last birth!
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