Hospital bag must haves!?

I would take a hair brush and some hair ties, shower gel and a towel, deodorant x

The best thing I took was a mini handheld fan! Comes in handy if the ward is warm but actually my husband held it close to my face while I was pushing and I felt it very comforting.

I also took flip flops for the bathroom . Take an extra long phone charger cable incase the nearest switch isn’t close to the bed.

One thing I wish I took was a cardigan - it was freezing when I left the hospital even though it was June! Xx

The hospital pads they give are thick and uncomfortable and hook onto stitches down there so take your fave/thinner regular pads along. The maternity pads I bought were also way too thick and caught on stitches. Some numbing cream is also a good idea for the first few days, sitting was a bit painful.

Would maternity pads be better then the disposable adult nappies that I’ve been recommended?

Blanket for baby, clothes for baby and nappies and wipes

Both times my feet/legs swelled a bit so I’d say flip flops/sandals for your going home clothes (even in winter!) also hospitals are generally hotter than the sun so a thin dressing gown is a good shout x

Something to labour in as getting changed will be last thing on our mind before we’re out of the door, if you want to labour in the nightie you’ve got on the list then maybe pack pyjamas or another nightie for after you’ve showered

Electrolytes is a must have, more underwear is a must.. disposable ones and comfortable ones. Straws for drinking out of a cup, tense machine

Your own toilet paper! Nice soft toilet paper 😂

Slippers, biscuits, lucozade, and one thing I didn’t have time to get but would have liked was. A spray to sooth after. There’s a product called spritz for bits by my expert midwife. I was highly recommended but baby came early so I never got it. But I can imagine if you have a bigger baby it would really quite essential to help heal and sooth.

Most people labour naked so don’t worry too much about that. Take more undies, adult nappies, and less of everything else. Remember you’ll be hauling this plus baby plus baby’s stuff home at the end.
Oh and earplugs are a must

Women’s depends (for post birth bleeding), stool softener - for post birth bowel movement 🙈

A hat for baby x

I say toiletries and lip balm for sure. A lot of hospitals provide everything else for you. Like pads , tucks , baby swaddles , diapers etc. Also pack baby’s going home outfit. I actually overpacked. I brought outfits and underwear but I used the mesh undies from the hospital and the gown , you’ll be so tired and in pain you won’t have time, trust me. Hope you have a safe and healthy birth ❤️
Edit-
This was a hospital from the USA

Flip flops for shower

Your own pillow and blankets!!

A peri bottle for going to the bathroom helps out a lot, highly recommend. I have just given birth last week and this was a life saver

Also a pillow is very important as well isotonic drinks for labour

Sounds silly and not really anything to pack but remove all your jewellery before going to hospital! I ended up being prepped for c section and removing fiddly bracelets and piercings was so annoying during strong contractions!! Lol xx

They’re not gonna let you eat once you’re in there, so I’d stock up on your favorite lollipops. That and a peanut ball really got me through it all

Slippers lol

Nipple cream, if you bf in hospital

Breast pump. Wish I had packed this for sure next time Inwill be bringing it

Your own water bottle

Hospital stays are pretty short right now. I was in the hospital clothes with no bra for most of my stay until I changed to go home. So just a heads up you might not need as many clothes as you might think.
And definitely where maturity clothes home.

I haven’t given birth yet, but from most of the things I’ve read, people suggest bringing an extra long charging cord for your phone because you might be stuck in bed for a long time and far from an outlet and you’ll want to be able to use your phone.

Hospitals get very warm!!! Bring a handheld fan or one you can clip onto the table etc plenty of hair ties and depending how long u end up in there u might want to try shower so little bits for that a shower is amazing after birth

You will most likely only need 1 bra. Your breasts will be tender so changing bras will not be top priority for you... start breaking it in now so that its comfy by the time you have your baby

I was in for 7 days for an induction at the height of the first covid wave. Couldn't leave to get stuff, was told to pavk for a 2-3 day stay. Should have packed 3x the socks and underwear

Water bottle with a straw!
Saved my in labour and post natal.. could drink from any position!

I would bring an extra long charger! Mine was 10 ft and worked perfectly. There aren’t many outlets near. Also maybe a DVD or two & soap!

I would pack as light as possible. You'll already have a ton of stuff from ther baby. If you're not too far from home someone can get to the house if your stay is extended but the hospital gives you most things you need like pads and socks. I loved those stretchy disposable underwear but some ppl may want their own. For sure bring something to look cute for pics the rest of the time you'll be in the hospital gown in the room until time to go home

I would take alot more than 3 underwear, I took 5 and that wasn't enough for me, I ended up using my lads boxers 😂 x

Nipple cream if you are planing to breastfeed!! :) X

The Expert Midwife do a spray called Spritz your Bitz. I was a bit skeptical about it but it was an absolute godsend!

Travel sized shampoo and conditioner, a magazine, neck pillow & I enjoyed a sheet mask

Your own pillow, ear plugs, eye mask and flip flops

Nipple cream, lots of cotton underwear (ideally disposable) or even adult nappies, they were a God send for me! And bepanthen nappy cream, newborns poo so often their bums can sometimes get very sore and using bepanthen for the poos that are like tar help cleaning them so much easier!

Bottled water, I was always super thirsty after labour and I never got my jug of water filled up fast enough by midwives x

Flip flops to wear in the shower are a must have. A water bottle with a straw, a fan that can be clipped onto your bed (it gets really hot in hosp in labour) and an extra long lead for your charger 😊

Amazon has some great disposable soft breathable mesh undies that are disposable which was great for the laundry I didn’t feel like doing if the hospital doesn’t give you some to use. Also got some awesome pads that you can also stick in the freezer from Amazon too

Hair ties, toiletries, dry shampoo, comfy robe, pillow

Flip flops for sure and I’m so glad I went home in a maxi dress because I could not put on pants 😂

Following!!

Things like toilitries I didn’t end up using and just took up too much space. I was only in the hospital for a few hours and wanted my own shower instead 😂 also didn’t bother with a dressing gown or pillow. Hopefully you won’t have to stay in long and if you do you can always get someone to drop off extras for you. Packing light easier so you don’t have to worry about leaving anything behind when you’re distracted and uncomfortable x

Depends disposable underwear!!!!!

The mesh panties they give you are way too loose and everything slides around.

My friend just gave birth, had an unplanned C-section and had to stay five nights. She recommended that my husband pack extra clothes since he may not be able to leave and come back (due to COVID).

I had the same thought and looked online at the HFS website and it sed TENs machine. So, I quickly went to eBay lol. It sed it can help with contractions. I hope their right.

I wouldn’t buy disposable undies! They’re the most uncomfortable things going! Get some granny pantys from the supermarket!
I’d add a portable fan and a cup with a straw! Easy to drink without messing with lods during labour and postnatally

A robe!! The hospital gown was open in the back for access for monitoring straps. The robe helped to keep me warm but also cover my behind!

I would also suggest hair ties, snacks (for when the cafeteria is closed), hand lotion, and face masks (which I almost forgot, haha).