Labour Bag

**Nelle** · February 22nd, 2008, 01:21 PM

Ohhh icy poles, I'll have to have some in our freezer! Especially if I go into labour on a hot day! (hehe, good excuse to keep the freezer completely stocked - but babe, what if I go into labour??

)

I don't think I'll need to take them into hospital, since I'm planning on doing as much labouring at home as I can, but it could be good, for water and sugar.

**Janie** · February 22nd, 2008, 03:10 PM

Ooooh, I never thought of icy poles! I had jelly

DH was spooning it into my mouth while I was in the bath during transition! I really believe that keeping up the fluid and sugar intake really helps a labouring woman. So icy poles sound good!

**Nettie** · February 22nd, 2008, 08:13 PM

Icy poles will be a must for me! It's been the one 'craving' thing I've had throughout my pregnancy - cold things! Must have drinks icy cold and ice blocks, ice cream, cold milk, etc are the only things I absolutely crave (and can't do without!). My sister craved ice when she was pregnant - so maybe it's a genetic thing?

I wonder if the hospital has a bar fridge in the labour ward for icy poles? he he

must ask when I see the mw!

**Nelle** · February 22nd, 2008, 08:43 PM

Nettie, I craved ice last pregnancy, a friend's mum said 'oh I craved ice and it meant I was iron deficient' I was like yeah whatever, got my bloods done and was iron deficient! I'm so into the slurpees and icy poles and ice this pregnancy, and same, iron deficient again.

Not saying that you definitely are, I'd have no clue, but might be worth checking out.

**Nettie** · February 23rd, 2008, 10:27 PM

Good tip Nelle - thanks!

I'm seeing the ob on Tuesday, so I'll ask him about it then... Got roast beef for tea tomorrow night so that might help boost the iron..

**Je$$_84** · February 24th, 2008, 03:03 PM

The maternity ward should have icy poles..... well when i had my son they did as they actually use them to insert inside a maternity pad for vaginal relief after labour... sorry TMI... once i read the post made me think about that... Actually turned me off icy poles for quite some time.

**Nettie** · February 24th, 2008, 08:14 PM

I've got a bit of a dumb question...

Most lists say to take something for the baby to wear home (and at hospital if they don't provide good stuff). What size should I take? Some babies need 00000, some need 0000 and big boofers need 000 (at least that's how I understand it).

How do I know what to take? Should I pack at least 2 or 3 of each? I don't really want to buy much of 00000 in case it's not that small and I don't use it.

HELP!

no idea what to do here!

I've managed to pick up two packs (= 10 pair) of undies from Target yesterday. They had a special on packs - 30% off! And I had $4 left over from a gift card so I ended up getting two packs for just over the price of one! BARGAIN! I couldn't get all black though, so it's an assortment of colours, but I did buy a bigger size and I got full briefs - just for comfort and coverage...

I was going to start packing my bag over the weekend, but DH got it out from under the bed on Friday night and the cat decided to sleep in the bag that night! Looked soooo cute too

So now I want to vacuum it out so I don't get cat hair on everything! I should get it done this week though!

**Snoopea** · February 24th, 2008, 08:27 PM

Knickers and your own maternity pads hospital ones are yuk!!
Changes of clothes for you incase you need to stay in longer than expected and hubbies can be hopeless labour goes to their heads who can blame them!(eg asking for black pants and getting jeans that don't fit)
Change for phone box or mobile phone with credit is a must (if you can use them)
Change for drink machine/ snack machine (found this heapful for hubby)
Nibbles for hubby or midnight snacks for you.
Hair ties
Dressing gown and slippers to keep you snug.
Changes of clothes for bubs, (normally hospital will dress them, but I always liked to dress mine in their own cloths)
Nappies and wipes for bubs
Bunny rugs for going home
Best of luck with your bag!!
Snoopea

**Nelle** · February 24th, 2008, 08:34 PM

Nettie I don't know if you'll need 00000...how about a couple of 0000's and some 000. You can afford to have more 000's, since if your bub is small, they'll grow into them. I brought two Bonds 0000 wondersuits and two Target 0000 suits, the Bonds ones didn't fit (too small) and the Target ones did for maybe a week or two?
Riv was bigger though, 9.4lb (4.2kg).

How about, with any 0000's you get, only take the tags off one? Or you could just resell or gift them to those with smaller bubs.

**danniellabella** · February 24th, 2008, 08:38 PM

I've got a bit of a dumb question...

Most lists say to take something for the baby to wear home (and at hospital if they don't provide good stuff). What size should I take? Some babies need 00000, some need 0000 and big boofers need 000 (at least that's how I understand it).

How do I know what to take? Should I pack at least 2 or 3 of each? I don't really want to buy much of 00000 in case it's not that small and I don't use it.

HELP!

no idea what to do here!

I've managed to pick up two packs (= 10 pair) of undies from Target yesterday. They had a special on packs - 30% off! And I had $4 left over from a gift card so I ended up getting two packs for just over the price of one! BARGAIN! I couldn't get all black though, so it's an assortment of colours, but I did buy a bigger size and I got full briefs - just for comfort and coverage...

I was going to start packing my bag over the weekend, but DH got it out from under the bed on Friday night and the cat decided to sleep in the bag that night! Looked soooo cute too

So now I want to vacuum it out so I don't get cat hair on everything! I should get it done this week though!

I've packed 2 outfits, one in 0000 and one in 000. I guess that even if it's a really small baby, 0000 will be ok for going home even if it's a little bit too big. I thought 000 because a friend who just had a baby said her bub is straight into 000 from birth. I've just packed singlets and jumpsuits in both sizes. Also packed a hat and mittens, a wrap and a blanket.

~Belinda~ · February 24th, 2008, 08:40 PM

I packed heaps in my bag and didn't use too much at all. I guess it just depends what your hospital supplies too. This is what I used (but I packed heaps more!):

- maternity pads (used the hospital ones for a couple of days when I had a really heavy flow after birth - they are like big huge nappies though - lol!!)

- underwear and 2 maternity bras

- 2 nighties (but I wished I had packed 3!)

- hair ties

- going home outfit for Bub (my hospital supplied singlets, nappies, wipes etc)

- toiletries (shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste, moisturiser, deodorant) (I packed my hair straightener would you believe and make up - I did not use these!!)

- camera (make sure you pack lots of back up batteries too!)

- breastfeeding pillow (if you have one, they are excellent!!) - my DP brought mine in from home

I also packed snacks and gatorade for labour but I didn't have them at all - was concentrating too much on the contractions!!! My DP had the snacks in the room over the next few days.

Good luck packing your bag.

**shell_120308** · February 24th, 2008, 08:42 PM

I am forever putting more things into my hospital bag, I keep remembering items that I should take along. Like the other night I thought about my wheat bag and hair ties.... I think this week I am going to go through the bag and look at everything I have packed and what I still need. I haven't yet packed any snacks or drinks in the bag, so better get something to put in there....

**rustygirl** · February 25th, 2008, 08:19 AM

Thanks heaps. Very insightful! Def going to pack hair ties as I am very fussy with the ones that I like and don't want to have to get some one to get them and get the wrong ones.....also I thought of a headband to keep my hair off my face. I have lots of little fly away hair. Thought it might be a good idea.

I have a collection of sizes for bubba two size 0000 and three size 000 bodysuits.
Three size 0000 and three 000 size singlets. I don't know what size he will be and I'm pretty sure he is going to be long cause both me and DF are tall. (5'10) I have more packed but can't remember what sizes they are. I think I have gone abit over board but figure that too much is better than not enough.

**Nettie** · February 26th, 2008, 06:23 PM

I've ordered some 'warm ties' which are little rice heat bag things that you put into a tie-on belt thingy for labour (so your hands are free)...

I can put them on the pile of stuff to pack when they arrive. I still haven't actually put anything IN the bag yet... just in a pile!

I've decided I'll go along to a few op shops and see if I can get reasonable quality 0000 growsuits so it's not such a big expense if bubs doesn't fit in them. I figure lots of people must buy smaller sizes and their either not used at all, or only for a couple of weeks... so the op shops have probably got some pretty good stuff!

Bit bored tonight, so maybe I'll start packing what I've got so at least I feel better about making that start...

**Je$$_84** · February 27th, 2008, 06:09 AM

Just thought i'd add thongs for the shower... We discussed this in out BB group and it was brought up. I had never thought of it but sounds like a great idea for those hossy's with a shared room and bathroom... IYKWIM???

As for Bubs clothes i had a labour/hossy bag with all the above mentioned items in there. and also i got DP to bring the nappy bag which i filled with several outfits (various sizes), blankets, mittens (very usful as DS kept scratching his face to bits) a dummy (we werent planning on using one but had one just incase- came in handy) and basically anything i thought i'd want or need for bubs

**Kazbah** · February 27th, 2008, 06:36 AM

Best tip I was given was to buy a pack of mens' undies. They have more room in the ... er ... crotch

so fit pads better.

Definately pack a lovely shower gel - even now when I shower using the same scented one, I can remember Pip's birth.

I also packed 2 boxes of cadbury Roses for the midwives (figured if they were nasty midwives I'd eat them myself) and thankyou cards to give to the staff.

**shell_120308** · March 1st, 2008, 08:19 AM

Because of the change in weather I decided to pack his all-in-ones outfits so it covers him a bit more when we leave the hospital, just soooo cold last night..... It is my back-up in case the other options are just too cold for him to leave the hospital in.

**Nettie** · March 1st, 2008, 09:37 PM

Well, I've finally started packing the bag!!

Very limited on what I can put in it yet though as I can't very well pack my maternity bras and some maternity clothing as I'm still wearing all that (and I don't have enough to spare packing any).

I'm also still using my 'slippers' (ugg boots) occasionally and all my toiletries are in use... might buy extras of those (toothpaste, toothbrush, shampoo, conditioner, etc) to pack so they're new and ready to go.

Also don't want to pack baby stuff yet as I'm seeing the MW on Thursday 13th March and I'll ask about what the hospital supplies then. That will give me a good indication of what I'll need.

So all I've packed is:

Pj's (2 pair)
Undies (LOTS!)
Some regular clothes (not maternity)
Sanitary Pads & Breast Pads
Heat pack (for labour)
Dressing Gown

I'll get myself a book or magazine or something (just in case) and I like the idea of buying some pressies for the MW's that assist... so I'll try to do that too!

At least I've made a start! Feel better for it...

Thanks everyone for the advice and help... it's made this a lot easier!