having a baby

[carson]

what should i take in to hospital for me and the baby when i go in to have the baby.

[B00]

• newborn nappes
• babygrows
• baby cardies
• shawl/blanket (for coming home with)
• hat, mittens
• your nightclothes
• dressing gown
• slippers
• mags or books (so boring when babies sleeping!)
• toiletries, nice shower gel to make you feel human again!

If i've forgotten anything, sorry. However you should have been given a book by your midwife- Emma's Diary- which clarifies what you need to take. Dont panic if you forget anything, relatives will be more than willing to bring it in for you when they visit.

and last but not least..........

                       GOOD LUCK

[ceebee007]

In addition to BOO's list:

For the labour room - tapes/CDs (a tape and /or CD player is usually provided in labour rooms these days - find out what your hospital has)

A flannel is handy - for your partner to wipe your face when you're getting hot and bothered!

Some massage oil with a few drops of Lavender essential oil - if your labour is long and drawn out, you might find it relaxing for your partner to massage your shoulders.

Also, take a couple of nursing bras if you're going to breast feed and will be staying in hospital for a few days.  And take maternity pads.

Good luck!

[kick3m0n]

Good list so far.   Music during labour is brilliant, our hospital had a radio in the labour suite and a CD player in the operating theatre (ended up a forceps delivery).  The music was good to sing along to and chill out to between contractions, and provided a welcome distraction during contractions too, so I'd thoroughly reccommend it.

 For labour, I'd also suggest taking some nibbles for you (banana chips, raisins whatever, just for energy) and some food for you partner.  Mine got very hungry, but didn't want to leave the room.  Next time, we're going to take a flask of tea and some sandwiches along!

Good luck. xx

[mad_mum]

u need lots of baby grows and bibs, if the baby is anything like mine it will be sick all over them lol . and i agree with the magazines, it feels like eternity waiting for visiting times to start and the baby is sound asleep .

[B00]

Can I just add- going off on a slight tangent...... I didn't take enough nappies when I went in, wouldnt fit in overnight bag and i was stupidly naive as to how many of the things you go through, and I asked the nurses if I could borrow a couple till my hubby could bring me some in........to be told.....they dont have any???????

[kat_giggle]

I took a pillow in from home, I'd heard that our hospital had a shortage and it was true!  The pillow they did supply was rubber in a hard over washed pillow case so I was really glad I had a big comfy one that smelt of home. It was also useful when feeding my baby as I used the pillow on my lap to rest her on while I mastered breast feeding.  Good luck, being a Mum is the best.

[ceebee007]

I thought of something else - take a camera and even a camcorder if you've got one.

And, talking about taking things from home, I took my own bath towel which, like kat_giggle's pillow, smelled nicer and was much softer than those provided.

Really getting down to basics here - take some old knickers to wear with the maternity pads, ones you can chuck away if they get too messed up.  Better still, you can even buy disposable knickers for the purpose, which I found useful!

[kazza55]

Definately some nightwear that is cool, those maternity wards are quite warm. I only had one nightie and it was too hot. Hubby had to rush out to M&S to buy more comfortable ones.Breastpads are handy to have too even if you are not going to breastfeed.

If you like to have a bath,some nice bath salts or bubblebath is nice. If you have to have stitches you may enjoy a soothing bath after the initial shower. I was told by a midwife that Badedas foam bath was good for one's undercarriage after childbirth. I suppose alot depends on how long you decide to or have to stay in hospital. Those disposable paper knickers mentioned by Ceebee were great.I felt really silly,but boy was I glad I had a few of those.

 Also some nappysacks and babywipes are useful to have in addition to the baby things already mentioned. You can freshen up with the babywipes too if it gets warm. Friends and family will be more than happy to fetch anything else from home or chemist that you may need so don't worry.

Good Luck and Best Wishes on the big day xxx

[Phantaxus]

This was answered on here recently.

one of the suggestions mentioned then was a hand mirror, so you can see the bables head being born.

[secretspirit]

In addition to what the others have said, do take LOTS of maternity pads. I've heard of loads of women who don't take enough but you really get through them those first few days. I found the Mothercare ones really good and used cheap knickers that I chucked out because disposable ones are pretty naff. I'd take lots of babygros and vests too as if your baby is like mine (born 5 weeks ago) and is sickly you will be changing their clothes constantly. Ear plugs might be a good idea - on my ward there was a real loudmouth who talked loudly and incessantly on the patientline phone even during the rest hours and she drove me insane.

Finally, don't worry too much about the things for during the actual labour. When I went into hospital despite my contractions being 3 mins apart I thought it was false labour, so all my stuff was in the car until I'd had the baby when my husband went out to get it so you can cope without things if necessary!

Good luck.