Time to pack my hospital bag!

Handy scrabble table!

Even though I'm planning a home birth (more about that in my next post!), I still need a hospital bag packed in case something goes wrong on the day, or if I go into labour whilst visiting family for the weekend. The bump is certainly starting to get big and so labour is becoming a more likely possibility. Also, 2 pregnant friends recently both had their babies 2 weeks early, and I don't fancy panic packing whilst in labour at 5am like one of them!

Enjoying a quiet weekend away, taking time to enjoy having a bump

I always love packing (is that weird?) and have packed a hospital bag once before with bean1, yet I couldn't remember anything about what I might need. Thank goodness for Google! I certainly learnt a few lessons from bean1 about the reality of birth and what I really need, such as:

• magazines and books were pointless, I don't think I sat down or could concentrate whilst in labour. Admittedly, it was a rather fast affair so maybe these would be good for longer labours
• don't bother packing makeup. I still don't know what I was thinking last time, I don't normally wear makeup so why would I bother when I'm busy forcing a baby out of my foof?!
• energy drinks are a must. My stomach couldn't handle food so these kept my sugar levels up. Plus, the bottles came in handy later when the hospital water supply was turned off all morning (don't ask, it was a nightmare and part of my decision for a home birth)
• things to keep the OH occupied: no way do I want him happily sat in the corner reading a good book or playing on his DS when he could be massaging me or being shouted at by me! Plus, his mobile always seems to keep him quiet for hours anyway

Here are the (almost final) contents of my bare-minimum hospital bag:

1. Toiletries: including toothbrush/paste, deodorant, vaseline, hairbrush, moisturiser (I'm still hoping that my OH might try pregnancy massage although that never happened last time...)
2. Eye mask and earplugs: I got a bed on the ward around 4am last time, and they turn on all the lights and get noisy at 7am so I had no chance of napping
3. Absorbent pads: for all the fun places that liquid seems to escape after having a baby. Pack plenty!
4. Baby clothes: I like to pack a couple of slightly different sized babygrow and vest, plus hat and mittens (even for an August baby apparently!), along with muslins and a blanket
5. Nappies and wipes. Again, pack plenty!
6. Maternity notes
7. Camera and phone charger (plus phone of course!)
8. Clothes for mummy: loose nightie, loose, comfy clothes, big pants, slipper socks and nursing bras
9. Sugary drinks and snacks: don't worry, I will pack plenty more into my bag nearer the time!

Wish me luck!!