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Packing for Labour.. what would you recommend / not rec?
in Baby
Hi Ladies,
The end is getting closer and closer and time to start thinking about what i need to get for my labour and baby bag etc, i've looked up lists on the internet and some off them god some off them pants!
I've been lucky and had a straight forward pregnancy so fingers crossed i will be giving birth in the local birthing centre where you get sent home after a few hours!
Just wondering what things you would recommend and what were a waste of time and space?
Any suggestions very welcome! x
The end is getting closer and closer and time to start thinking about what i need to get for my labour and baby bag etc, i've looked up lists on the internet and some off them god some off them pants!
I've been lucky and had a straight forward pregnancy so fingers crossed i will be giving birth in the local birthing centre where you get sent home after a few hours!
Just wondering what things you would recommend and what were a waste of time and space?
Any suggestions very welcome! x
0
Replies
For baby, +++ nappies, 4 vests, 2 in newborn, 2 in 0-3, sleepsuits in the same sizes. blanket, litle hat, coat, muslin, +++ cotton wool.
Good luck! Enjoy this amazing, wonderful and magical experience!
Em x
For me,
Change for the car park
Maternity Notes
Birth Plan - waste of time as it didnt go anything like i had planned!
light weight dark Dressing Gown - didnt use to hot
flip-flops for the shower and walking around after
Socks i found it far too hot for these!
T-Shirt/nightie to wear for the birth and lightweight pjs/nightie as it was very hot on the ward
Camera
phone and charger
Music - didnt really use the ipod
Toiletries including Shampoo and Conditioner
Hair Brush and Hair Bands
Knickers - disposable and lots of maternity pads
Nursing Bras and breast pads
a big towel for showers
Going home outfit i used some maternity clothes
For Baby,
Car Seat make sure you know how to ajust the straps and attach to car it was -7 degrees when we made that mistake!
One outfit for going home
4 Babygrows/sleepsuits
4 Baby Vests
Blanket for going home
Nappies 1 pack
Socks 2 pairs didnt use as babygrows had feet in
Hat 1 used for going home, ward to hot to warrant it
Muslin Squares 3
Cotton Wool balls 1 bag
Scratch Mittens only used for going home as too hot!
snow suit (it was snowing for us!)
i would reccomenned different size sleepsuits, i got told i was having a monster but he was tiny so none of the 0-3 fit him (0-3 usually startes from 9lbs) so i had to send out for newborn ones!
Snacks/Drinks - something we forgot! i was sooo hungry and didnt want hubby to leave me to get some! i laboured from 3 am until 530pm and hadnt eated since 6pm the last evening, was so sick from the hunger!
get you birthing partner to bring a change of clothes hubby was so stinky after all that time in the same clothes!
good luck
If you plan on breasfeeding take maternity bras and make sure that you have at least 1 nightie that has easy access for breasfeeding.
Also go in with an open mind! Enjoy! x
Like you I was expecting to be in and out quickly but ended up in there for nearly 4 days - you just don't know what's going to happen. Unless you live nearby and have someone to nip out and bring you things I would recommend packing for a few days just in case.
Also - however many maternity pads you think you will need - take more. Ditto nappies.
I personally didn't use my ipod and other "entertainment" like packs of cards etc - last thing I felt like when in pain! BUT if you end up being induced as others have said there is a lot of waiting (when you might not be feeling anything at all) so if it gets to that point definitely take lots to do!
Also I recommend freezing some bottles of water and taking them with you when you go to hospital. That way you will always have nice cold water - you can't underestimate how hot the wards are kept for the babies and it's horrid if you're in pain and sweating etc!! Lots of deodorant too (for you and your OH!!).
And don't kid yourself, take maternity clothes for going home in!! Your bump will be smaller, but not back to normal and you don't want to be disappointed! I just took yoga-type pants which were supercomfy.
FINALLY - TAKE YOUR OWN LUXURIOUS TOILET PAPER!!! Hospital stuff is rough and horrid - you will thank me for this tip, I promise
GOOD LUCK!!
C
Good luck!
Bxx
we didnt have the tv on or any music and didnt notice! i didnt eat anything, but had sips of water. GET STRAWS!!! They are also good for breastfeeding and trying to take a drink.
the mw put me in my white dressing gown, which looked like i had been shot when i took it off, but a cold wash got the blood out.
i gave birth at home though, so although i had bags packed, if there was anything else i needed hubby could just grab it.
Lots of snacks - Oaty bake cake bars were great.
Capri-sun drinks - i took a massive box of these, which really helped as I was in labour for 17.5 hrs and in hospital for 5 days.
I packed the minimum in a case, then had about 6 bags in the boot of the car labelled for OH to bring in. It was an absolute godsend as I ended up staying in longer than expected.
Lots of snacks and drinks, not only for labour but afterwards too. I was always hungry and the hospital meals never filled me enough!
I would have some different sized clothes ready at home for your OH to bring in afterwards. Some people shed weight faster than others and it can also depend on how long you are in. I only had maternity bottoms which by the 3rd day I couldn't keep up. Get a couple of larger jogging bottoms or similar, they were far more comfortable for me.
Wishing you lots of luck xx
I can't really help with the bag packing as I had a planned section so it was a bit different. The only thing I can agree on is taking food. The food at my hospital was crap and I found myself eating sweets and bicuits in the middle of the night I was so hungry. OH also bought a McDonalds in for me!
Big baggy clothes...i wated to look nice and fresh but classy when i left hospital, i had a nice top, my linen trousers and my make up etc lol. I came home in my baggy tracksuit bottoms and hoody with flip flops as i could hardly move for aching.
Bit pants - and i mean big! You dont want anything tight pressing on your bits lol
Hair bobble - keep that mop off your face lol
Big maternity pads!!!!
Some comfy pjs or a nice nighty for after xxx
Oh its exciting writing all that down, i loved giving birth, the whole experience was so lovley xxx
Big baggy clothes...i wated to look nice and fresh but classy when i left hospital, i had a nice top, my linen trousers and my make up etc lol. I came home in my baggy tracksuit bottoms and hoody with flip flops as i could hardly move for aching.
Bit pants - and i mean big! You dont want anything tight pressing on your bits lol
Hair bobble - keep that mop off your face lol
Big maternity pads!!!!
Some comfy pjs or a nice nighty for after xxx
Oh its exciting writing all that down, i loved giving birth, the whole experience was so lovley xxx