The Hospital Bags!!

[Glamourcide]

soft toiletpaper or flushable wipes as they'll be gentler on sore ladybits than hospital toiletpaper.

OMG yes. Those flushable wipes saved. my. life. after DD was born (didn't have them in hospital but when I got home I bought some just to see if they were any good, and they were amaaaazing).

[tenar]

- The least scented soap you can find. At our hospital classes, one of the things the midwife suggested was not washing much at all at first after the birth because you don't want to wash away the smells that will help the baby bond to you: you smell of milk and I guess hormones and stuff that help the baby figure out that you are mum and you are where the food comes from.

I'm intending to just rinse myself off with water, especially around my breasts/torso, for as long as I can stand it (probably not long), and then switch to very basic unscented soap.

- check whether your hospital has heat/cold packs or whether you have to bring your own. I've got a cold pack in the freezer and a microwaveable heat pack in my bag packed already. Some hospitals won't allow the wheat ones as they get so nasty if you over-microwave them and set them on fire by mistake.

My best friend said to her husband, at 36 weeks, "we'd better pack my bag". The next day, bag still unpacked, they were rushing to the hospital with nothing ready. Baby was fine, just early. Bearing in mind her experience, I've been packed for 2 weeks already, just in case...

[~Debbie~]

dont forgot 'sibling gifts'

[AliBaby]

Hey Jas, So excited for you, you are getting so close to meeting your baby!

On the hospital bags....

When I was in labour and arriving at the hospital, I told DP to forget the bags (leave them in the car) and we would get them later.

I didnt use anything that was in my labour bag. No time to even think about it. Even when my little girl finally arrived, I realised...crap the bags are still in the car, but the midwives just put a little outfit on her and a cloth nappy (which they like to use anyway for the first wee/poo) and wrapped her up.

I then sent DP to get the bags.

I hardly used anything I packed but what I did use was:

- kleenex cottonelle toilet paper (the hossy paper is awful)
- 2 packets of mat pads (I only used one packet as didnt bleed much and was only in hossy for 2 and a half days).
-toothbrush, toothpaste, hair brush, roll on deod unfragranced
- nappies x20
- wipes
- shampoo & conditioner (I didnt use any soaps as they said to avoid washing your body with soaps).
- pj's x 2 (different pair for each day- made me feel nice not to be in the same clothes)
- pair of trackpants and singlet top to go home in.
- undies (go and buy some of those really big undies in a size bigger then what you are as they are super comfy and wont cut in and fit those big mat pads).
- mat bra's x3
- slippers and thongs (I wore my thongs to the hossy).
- Pillow (not essential but I wanted my own and loved having it there)
- mobile charger, camera, camera charger
- baby clothes (the long wondersuits are best x 5)

HTH.

Cant wait to hear how you go!!!

[Jas]

Thanks Ladies for all your suggestions!

Alibaby, I am so excited to it is really wierd I am excited but it doesn't actually seem real like I'm REALLY pregnant and REALLY going to have another baby! I think seeing some bags packed might help it set in a bit!

Debbie, Thank you! I had actually forgotten the sibling gift! And good idea re" leaving stuff in bubs room! Thats a great idea because with Noah I had way too much stuff and it was annoying trying to get to things but at the time I was worried about needing things and not having them!

Tenar, I remember the antenatal classes we did with Noah our last class we had a little party and one of the couples had had their baby that day (4 weeks early) the husband came to see everyone and said that morning when he left for work he asked his wife about the bags and she hadn't done them and he said he really thought she should pack them that day! So she did then went off to a hosp a point and found out she had pre eclampsia so severe they decided to induce her that day! Her husband told us to all go home and start packing lol!

Gothmum, hadn't thought of the flushable wipes sounds liek a great idea but!

Rufalina, thanks will add it to the list!

Holly, oh no that is sooo funny though re: the shoes!!

Hollo, Slippers have to pack those!

[Jas]

I'm 36w5d preg today and still no closer to hospital bags!

Well, actually I kinda am, off to do some shopping today! I have to buy new undies, brestpads etc newborn nappies too! I only have 1 newborn nappy! (one that was in a bounty bag) so I really need to do something about that!
Last night it set in a bit that I am actually due to have a baby soon! and I will actually be going into labour sometime soon...can't believe this pregnancy is almost over!

[ACJ]

Slippers are a good idea if you dont swell. But why not those slipper thongs you can buy by grosby. I bought a pair from BIG W just before DS was born and glad I did cause they are comfy and didn't cut into my swelling like my slippers did.