Hospital bag

This was my second baby and the things I was so happy I brought were a portable fan and the frida peri bottle. I brought a labor robe and diapers (for me) that never made it out of the bag. I would also suggest bringing only 2-3 outfits for baby in different sizes (premie, newborn, 0 months). I packed like 4 outfits for my first and we only ever used what the hospital offers.

I took everything and anything 😂 and half of it I didn’t even use..

Nightdress as pj bottoms were the last thing I wanted to deal with.
Long phone charger to reach the sockets behind
Snacks and drinks, although I did also just get an uber eats to the hospital 😂
I hateddddd the disposable maternity knickers, much preferred just big old pads.
Toiletries etc, although I only ever ended up using my toothbrush as was in and out super quick.
Oh and a portable fan!!!! It’s hotter than the sun in there.
Ear plugs, not that they help much in that environment. But helpful to get a bit of sleep. And an eye mask!
I took my own pillow and blanket.. pillow was 100% worth it. Blanket I didn’t even use as was so hot.
iPad with some stuff downloaded on it, I never managed to get any sleep because I’m such a light sleeper so was nice to be able to just watch stuff while baby was sleeping.
Sliders/sandals, you don’t want to be bending down.
Going home outfit I wore my nightdress 😂

I’ve had two C-sections and honestly you don’t need much.

You’ll be in your hospital gown most of the first day. Pack comfy full brief cotton knickers, a fan is nice as the wards are very warm and a long phone charger (there’s lots of waiting around and you’ll want it for photos in theatre).

I didn’t need peri bottles, adult nappies, anything fancy. Just some maternity pads, comfy pjs, slippers to wear to theatre and toiletries for a shower.

Snacks honestly so many snacks! Salt for the hospital food hahah. Long phone charger cable, nice shower stuff and some cute pyjamas. Hair ties. Tons of maternity pads/disposable diapers. Wish I'd brought a big baggy comfy hoodie to go home in too.
A variety of changes of baby clothes cause they'll soil a bunch and also you have really zero idea what size they'll be. The zip onesies with built in scratch mitts are all we used for the first few months. Baby blankets cause the hospital ones can be rubbish.
Will you be in for a few days? Then I'd definitely recommend some giant headphones, an eye mask, and a change of clothes or two for your birth partner. Plus some entertainment stuff for when you're totally brain dead, comfort viewing, etc. If your milk drops too definitely some comfy sports bras and nipple pads.
I brought too much stuff (diaper rash ointment? Books? My pump??) and didn't use half of it. All I remember are the snacks 😂

I had an emergency c section. But id say high waisted underwear. I bought mens underwear and I found them amazing because they actually stayed up high (my scar is above my pube line). I had adult nappies for the first 2 weeks and I used pads to make them last longer which where soooo comfy!!
Feeding pillow is a wonder! Not having them touch my incision was helpful.

Loose fitting clothing was useful too.

Nightdress
Long charging cord
Sandals
Belly wrap
Firestick
Disposable postpartum underwear
Lipsil
Our baby was in the NICU for a bit so the robe I packed came in handy, otherwise it wouldn't have been 💕

Nice little nightgown with buttons or pajamas with buttons in case you wanna try some breast-feeding, maybe a bra with for pumping or feeding if you wanna get some milk a couple of comfy clothes for the baby and maybe one cute outfit and swaddle and hat the day you’re leaving the rest, the Hospital supplies, the pads and the perry bottles. I was told by a lot of people that they liked the diapers, but I had a C-section so you don’t need that either and definitely a long cell phone charger and some Chapstick. If you want everything else they have like a bathrobe for you you could stay in that your whole stay