Packing my Hospital Bag
^^^Walking…err I mean waddling into hospital to have Kian and Kaira. I can’t believe the size of my bump!^^^
For me:
- Birth plan and midwife notes – It gave me a lot of comfort to have them with me but I didn’t use them either time to be honest
- Night dresses – big and baggy. I didn’t like pyjamas in labour or after the birth either because of the pressure of the bottoms on my stomach. I packed 2 maternity dresses like this from Marks and Spencer
- Maternity briefs – (big enough to stretch over a ceasarian scar if necessary) I packed 7 pairs from Mothercare
- C-Panty (CEASARIAN ONLY) – I only had these after I researched ceasarian support pants after having Ariana and they made such a difference between my 2 deliveries. I could jump put of bed and care for the babies without feeling the pain of the wound wearing these and my recovery was so much quicker. They are a life saver for anyone who is having a c-section
- Nursing bras – I packed 2 from Mothercare
- Nipple cream – I used Mothercare’s Lansinoh
- Maternity pads – specific for maternity as they need to be bigger than regular pads
- Slippers – the heel free kind. I made the mistake of taking in bootie types to have Ariana and I couldn’t bend over to get them on and off (duh!)
- Earplugs – such a necessity. I had no idea what to expect when I was being induced with Ariana. In brief, I was on a hospital ward surrounded by women in labour for 3 days so you can imagine the noise levels. I didn’t sleep the entire time! Silicone earplugs are amazing. I used to buy them from Boots until I found them half the price on ebay
- Socks – 2 pairs
- Dressing gown
- Big towel
- Pillow – I brought mine from home as I wanted to be comfortable and used it in the delivery room!
- Phone, earphones, charger
- Relaxing birth music album saved on a phone or iPod (LABOUR ONLY) – I practised Natal Hypnotherapy so used theirs (available on Amazon)
- Camera and/or video camera (mine had video built in) and charger
- Tens machine (LABOUR ONLY) – I was so glad to have this with me when I was in labour with Ariana pain relief is so minimal when being induced so I had this strapped to me for ages! It really helped. I hired it from Boots and they’re still available here
- Medela electric breast pump – I borrowed one from the breast care nurse at my local children’s centre but they are available to borrow at some hospitals.
Cosmetics bag
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Makeup and mirror – I kept a mirror in my bedside table as everyone wanted to take pictures and I wanted to look half decent
- Tinted moisturiser – I packed Stila’s
- Concealer – Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage for me
- Blusher – Mac Pink Swoon
- Mascara – 2000 Calorie
- Eyeshadow – Espresso by Mac for my eyebrows
- Makeup brushes
- Lip balm – really important for labour, I packed Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream
- Shower gel
- Face wash
- Hair smoothing cream
- Face, body moisturiser and hand cream
- Shampoo, conditioner, dry shampoo, shower cap and bobbles
- Femfresh wipes
- Water cooling spray (LABOUR ONLY) – great for the face during labour. I used Eau Thermal from Boots.
- Nappies – I took in 2 packs of 24 Pampers Micro nappies for the twins as I knew they were going to be low birth weight
- Baby bottom wipes – we used Water Wipes because they are made up almost entirely of water and no nasty chemicals (available at Boots or on Amazon)
- Muslin cloths – 6
- Pre-maid formula – I packed Aptimil Stage 1 cartons, 4 for each day’s stay
- Dummies
- Baby grows – I packed 10 for the babies (all white with matching hats) and needed to send Ste out to Mothercare to buy more as they wore so many and got them all dirty during our 4 day stay in hospital. I’d recommend packing around 20 for twins and the same amount of vests. Half for a singleton birth
- Nursing pillow – I didn’t know if I would breastfeed but I bought one and took it into hospital with me anyway and it was great to hold both babies after my ceasarian. I used a My Breast Friend Twins Plus Pillow
- Going home outfit – I’m not sentimental but I have kept all of our children’s outfits that they came home from hospital in. It’s such a nice thing to keep to remember how tiny they were!
- Bag for dirty laundry.
Please leave your comments, I’d love to know what you packed in yours!