What’s in my maternity hospital bag?

With my first I left packing my bag until the day I went into labour and although I’ve tried to be more organised this time, it’s still not fully packed.

My bag is an overnight bag using an old small suitcase, the sort you can take on a cheap flight as carry on luggage. I’m not planning on staying in longer unless there is a complication. If that happens, my hubby can bring me more stuff.

For labour

Hypnobirthing Parents’ Workbook: RRP £10.00

We bought this book as part of the free antenatal course delivered by our local midwives.  Click here to read my article about hypnobirthing.

Neom: Aromatherapy mist – RRP £8.00

I wasn’t sure which scent to buy so got one of each to try. Most aromatherapy oils seem to be a pippet liquid oil or roller ball pulse point. I liked the idea of a mist as I can spritz the air or some fabric. I also got their mini hand creams to try.

Kindle fire: It was a gift but google says about £50.00

As my hubby has amazon prime we were able to download the music used during our hypnobirth course for free. It will also double up as entertainment as I can read, watch movies, play games and browse the internet.

Snacks: Various

Currently, these are my emergency snacks from my locker at work – I brought them home on my last day. I’m planning on ordering a graze box as I got free vouchers in my bounty packs. I really fancied JOM Candy but it’s not easy to buy.

Joseph Joseph: water bottle – £9.00 but I think I got mine half price in a sale.

The bottle never leaks and I like the clicks feature. Keeping hydrated during labour is very important.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BYLIXOwhiL3/?taken-by=redfae

Scarf:  Bought years ago by a friend years ago when popular as sarong and shawls.  These can be used during labour to do the Rebozo techniques.

Stay Cool Ice Towel:  Whilst shopping for a fan I saw this and it sounds amazing.  You just add water and it stays cool for hours.  It is used by sporty people but I’m going to use it in labour.  It is currently on order as I had to wait until pay day but I’m hoping it will arrive in time.

Travel brush & hair bands: When it gets hot, it is useful to tie my hair back. Also, handy to make myself look presentable when I get cleaned up afterwards.

For baby

M&Co: Seven piece start set – RRP £18.00

The trickiest thing is guessing what size your baby will be. With my first I had tiny baby and newborn clothes. He was 8 pounds 12 ounces and fit in newborn clothes for a week.

This time, all I’ve packed is a set from M&Co in size newborn. This set is great value for money and all you need. It consists of a vest, top, trousers, sleepsuit, two bibs and a hat.

Kit & Kin: Size 1, panda, pack of 20 – RRP £4.00

I got these eco nappies from Boots so I could collect my club card points. I’ve got a few different nappies but these are hands down the cutest.

Organyc: Cotton wool pads – RRP £2.48

Newborn skin is so sensitive and you should use only water to clean their bums for as long as possible. You’ll get told to use cotton wool balls but they can get stuck to sticky poo – the first baby poo is like black tar. I found the pads much better.

Naty: Sensitive wipes (unscented) – RRP £2.95

I plan to use cotton wool and water to clean her bum but packed these just in case things get messy. They are eco friendly and only use safe ingredients. I got them in an ambassador deal (click here to learn more).

The Little Art Collection: Poppy Muslim – RRP £12.50

Mopping up baby sick is one of the unglamorous tasks of being a mum but this beautiful muslin makes it so much better. It is super soft and I plan use it for swaddling, as a blanket or feeding cover up. It’s too pretty for sick (except if the bibs run out).

Hipp Organic: Combiotic first infant milk (6x 90ml booties with teats) – RRP £8.00

I’m planning to breast feed again but got these incase I can’t. If I’m going to give my baby formula I want chemical free and as natural as possible. In addition, these pre-made bottles are sterilised and ready when you are. With Noah, I kept these in my changing bag for emergencies like if a creepy man kept staring – thankfully it never happened. It did come in useful when I left him with my mum and a leaky bottle of expressed milk. The lid wasn’t on tight and my milk was lost, luckily my mum was able to use one of these.

For me

Happy Mama: Breast feeding nightdress – RRP £11.62

There was also a matching robe but I remember how hot the ward was in November, so I expect it will be hotter than hell in August. The less layers the better.

Cottons: Maternity pads with wings – RRP £3.95

Buying sanitary products is never exciting but I got mine from My Pure. This online store knocks £5 off of you buy five products (encourages you to stock up). In addition, they have a selection of free gifts if you spend £30 in one transaction. I got a Madara face peel mask (RRP £24) and the next time I chose the PHB Ethical Beauty pressed eye shadow (RRP £9.99). It certainly made me more excited to get my order.

Breast pad:

• Lansinoh – free samples from bounty
• Little lamb – £11.25 washable pads
• Theraline Mamma Pads – £9 reusable invisible pressure pads (sticks to skin and prevents leaks whilst sleeping)

Last time, I found the washable pads brilliant as they were so absorbent and saved me money or having to keep ordering pads. The only issue I had was leaking in the night, so, I’m hoping Theraline will be the answer to that little problem.

Book: Who runs the world – RRP £7.99

I bought this at FBF after the author talk. It’s set in the future and about a world where a virus has almost wiped all men out so most women have never seen one.  Click here to read my post about this book.

Note pad with pen: Various/Gifts

I don’t think I’m allowed to charge my kindle or phone at hospital (except for the purpose of hypnobirthing), plus there may be no WiFi! So, I will take some offline resources to enjoy.

Disaster Designs: Boho Make-up bag – £24.95

I actually don’t own a make up bag as I rarely take makeup out with me. This was a treat to myself and very pretty. I don’t intend to wear much makeup whilst in hospital, so all I have packed is:

• Vapour: Concealer
• Lue by Jean Seo: Blemish treatment
• RMS: Signature set – Mod collections (contains master mixer, living luminizer, smile lip2cheek, spell lip2cheek and cococa lip/skin balm)
• Pacifica: BB cream
• Axiology: lipstick (shade The Goodness)

I recently got a lash lift & tint so don’t need mascara.

Disaster Designs: Boho Wash bag – £29.95

Whilst treating myself to the makeup bag, I had to get the matching wash bag which is so spacious. Inside, I will pack:

• Bloomtown: Roller ball perfume
• Salt of the Earth: Natural deodorant
• Lucky Cloud: Balm Cleanser
• Bespoke Aroma: Facial Mist (Toner)
• Green People: Moisturiser & face oil
• Concious Skincare: Shampoo & Conditioner
• Pacifica: Body wash
• Isla: Body oil
• A’Kin: Dry shampoo
• Pacifica: Deodorant wipes
• Tooth brush & tooth paste

I’ve been collecting sample/travel sizes from my subscription boxes to save space in my bag. I also hope I won’t need to use the dry shampoo or deodorant wipes but they are just incase I need to freshen up and can’t wait to use the facilities (festival style).

Coming home outfit: I’ve packed a black nursing vest that doesn’t need a bra and a black floral maxi skirt with a stretchy waist band. I’ve packed three pairs of big comfy knickers.

My hubby can bring more if I stay longer but I’m so big now that most my maternity clothes are limited and in constant use. If I stay in, he’ll just bring me whatever’s clean (and may have to do laundry).

Coming home

Car seat: This time we bought a travel system and got the MeeGo Milano. The car seat is part of the package.

Baby hat: As it is August, I won’t be dressing her in a coat but she does need a hat (hospital rule) to be allowed to leave. As there’s one in the M&Co set, we’re sorted.

What have you packed?

Did you pack any essentials that I’ve missed? How late did you leave packing your bag?