Pregnancy bags

Suucee

nikpmup wrote: »

Yep, I did that too - a box of milk tray got demolished at 3am, even the Turkish delight!
I had to keep asking one young nurse for pain relief - I was 2 days post section, and she couldn't find my chart (not my fault/problem!) so she wouldn't give me any! I think it was about 6pm I got 2 panadol :-/

Oh that reminded me when LO was about 3 hrs old. OH was gone home and i hadnt got out of bed yet (had epidural) anyway felt nauseous and rang the bell to ask for something. Was also holding lo. Nurse came in with a roaring baby in her arms . She asked would i be ok for few mins. I said yes.
Nausea got worse and suddenly i got sick. Just about avoided LO . Rang the bell again and nurse came in apoligising. Eh too late.
Didnt need anything for the nausea then but needed new sheets.

Millem

Maybe I was lucky in holles street but they have me soooo much food for the two meals I had there! I dogged into the breakfast eggs, brown bread, cereal, juice and tea! Lunch was about 3 hours later lamb chops, veg and potato with gravy, yoghurt and a bake well tart! Made an absolute pig of myself! Lol then I went home as I was on domino so didn't get tea/dinner. The dinner girl was nice and was piling the food onto us! lol I had a jug of water that the nurses always filled for me. Honestly couldn't complain

kandr10

I liked the food in the rotunda I have to say....or did I just like being handed food with no work... :-) I can recommend the veggie diabetic diet. They never stop feeding you on that yogurt and fruit and crackers with cheese as snacks. I was delighted to get the non diabetic dessert after my daughter was born though :-) cheeky treat. I do find it odd that they serve the unhealthy foods as standard though.

Gosh I can remember going through litres of water too between the heat and breastfeeding.

Hello Lady!

I was in the rotunda, and the breakfast was grand, fairly plentiful. Midday meal was grand portion wise, but given that it's your main meal for the day it's very early to eat it. I'm veggie so my choice for 'tea' was scrambled egg on toast or cheese salad - every day for a month!!!! It's a long time too from tea time at 5.30 til 7.30 the next day. And also, one of my twins was sitting literally with her head squashed into my stomach so eating large amounts of anything wasn't possible. I rarely was able to eat the midday meal in full. So it was a loooong day forme. And I was semi private too so had more choice/options than public patients. I would have really been ready to crack up if I was public! Luckily after 10 days, I was moved to a private room as I spiked a temp and they were worried it might be something contagious. I was really jammy and was left for the whole time til I gave birth. Had my own tea/coffee making facilities and I used the windowsill as my fridge. It was only then that I was able to eat half normal again.

kandr10

I'd kinda prefer to switch to big meals during the day (though maybe 1 instead of 12!). I felt much better for it. It doesn't suit our work life unfortunately. I'd also like to get hold of the smaller size plates they use...I know I'm mental taking my inspiration from a hospital dinners lol :-)

Hello Lady!

kandr10 wrote: »

I'd kinda prefer to switch to big meals during the day (though maybe 1 instead of 12!). I felt much better for it. It doesn't suit our work life unfortunately. I'd also like to get hold of the smaller size plates they use...I know I'm mental taking my inspiration from a hospital dinners lol :-)

Ikea have those smaller plates

pwurple

I've got crackers packed my bag after the last time too. And water, and some juice cartons. Love the cheese & pate thing from the market! I'd murder some decent cheese. Must delegate that idea to some visitor.

ncmc

pwurple wrote: »

I've got crackers packed my bag after the last time too. And water, and some juice cartons. Love the cheese & pate thing from the market! I'd murder some decent cheese. Must delegate that idea to some visitor.

Be careful with the cheese selection! You'll be the least popular woman in the ward if you go for a real smelly one! Definitely will be copying the pate idea, it's the one thing i've missed during pregnancy, especially over Christmas. I will be eating it straight out of the packet come June!

Hello Lady!

For my tea the day after delivery I asked for poached egg on toast and asked for the egg to be soft. It arrived, all lovely and runny and gorgeous. 'Twas the nicest thing I'd eaten in months! Nicest meal I had the whole time I was in the hospital.

pwurple

ncmc wrote: »

Be careful with the cheese selection! You'll be the least popular woman in the ward if you go for a real smelly one! Definitely will be copying the pate idea, it's the one thing i've missed during pregnancy, especially over Christmas. I will be eating it straight out of the packet come June!

Feck that! I was in a double room the last time and three roomies past through. The first girl had rhianna blasting all times of day and night from her phone. Second one had the screechiest baby i've ever heard, and third one was a smoker, who kept going for sneaky fags in the shared loo. Yeuch. I've done my time... It's my turn to be unsociable.

The cheese will be stinkiest one that can be had. It won't last long. Give me 5 minutes alone with it.

cyning

I'm dreaming of smoked salmon, goats cheese and runny eggs.

Food was a real problem for me last time breastfeeding makes me unbelievably hungry so must stock up on healthy stuff and not so healthy stuff at the weekend supper at 430 and breakfast at 730? And I don't have milk so breakfast is 2 slices of toast... Which would be fine if there wasn't such a massive gap!

I am definitely getting proper food brought into me this time!

ncmc

pwurple wrote: »

Feck that! I was in a double room the last time and three roomies past through. The first girl had rhianna blasting all times of day and night from her phone. Second one had the screechiest baby i've ever heard, and third one was a smoker, who kept going for sneaky fags in the shared loo. Yeuch. I've done my time... It's my turn to be unsociable.

The cheese will be stinkiest one that can be had. It won't last long. Give me 5 minutes alone with it.

Oh my god, can you imagine doing that??? That is the most ignorant thing to do. Was this in CUMH? One of the many reasons I'm praying for a straightforward birth and healthy baby so I can get home to my own bed asap!

Neyite

Hello Lady! wrote: »

For my tea the day after delivery I asked for poached egg on toast and asked for the egg to be soft. It arrived, all lovely and runny and gorgeous. 'Twas the nicest thing I'd eaten in months! Nicest meal I had the whole time I was in the hospital.

I dreamed of double decker runny-yolk fried egg sandwiches with butter and a sprinkle of salt throughout my pregnancy. Himself made me one the minute I came home from the hospital.

And he put together a hamper of champagne, pate, cheeses, and all the other stuff I had to avoid during pregnancy. Knew there was a reason I had his baby :pac:

lazygal

I had smoked salmon and runny eggs on both pregnancies and no problems! Sometimes even at the same time.

Gee_G

pwurple wrote: »

Feck that! I was in a double room the last time and three roomies past through. The first girl had rhianna blasting all times of day and night from her phone. Second one had the screechiest baby i've ever heard, and third one was a smoker, who kept going for sneaky fags in the shared loo. Yeuch. I've done my time... It's my turn to be unsociable.

The cheese will be stinkiest one that can be had. It won't last long. Give me 5 minutes alone with it.

OMG!! Im a smoker but i would flip out at that!

ncmc

lazygal wrote: »

I had smoked salmon and runny eggs on both pregnancies and no problems! Sometimes even at the same time.

Me too, I didn't even know runny eggs were a problem! The only thing I have really avoided is Pate, I had a bit of brie over Christmas and have had smoked salmon a few times.

cyning

99/100 there's going to be no issue! But I wasn't and amn't prepared to take the risk. There was smoked salmon recalled at Christmas because there was a batch contaminated with Listeria. It's advised not to eat it and for the sake of a few months I don't! God I can't wait to have some though


Neyite I am so "mentioning" that to my hubby when he gets home tonight

Sligo1

lazygal wrote: »

I had smoked salmon and runny eggs on both pregnancies and no problems! Sometimes even at the same time.

Mmmm my most favourite dish!!! I've tried to stay away from the runny eggs tho. Think I've had them once or twice. Ate smoked salmon as normal bit stayed away from it since the listeria scare a couple months ago. Gonna pig out majorly!!! Mmmmmmm

MissFire

Just bumping this thread up to first page, as today at 36 weeks I'm finally putting bag together and I remember this thread had some handy tips in it , and ill be referring back and forth to it during day... wish me luck haha

any of the new mammies any new tips.?

Chattastrophe!

These yokes ... disposable changing mats, they'd definitely be on my list if I went again! My bed was ruined with his various bodily fluids ... he was (and still is!) a very pukey messy baby. Not a problem if you're only there for a few hours, but we were kept in for four days, and although the sheets were changed each morning it was icky going to sleep in a pukey bed every night.

Roesy

Chattastrophe! wrote: »

These yokes ... disposable changing mats, they'd definitely be on my list if I went again! My bed was ruined with his various bodily fluids ... he was (and still is!) a very pukey messy baby. Not a problem if you're only there for a few hours, but we were kept in for four days, and although the sheets were changed each morning it was icky going to sleep in a pukey bed every night.

Cumh seemed to put these on the bed anyway. Maybe because I was bleeding heavily but I assumed they were standard.

lazygal

I asked for the sheet to be changed if necessary. Had a baby with mucous second time. I also had those plasticy yokes on the bed too.

January

I just asked for the sheet to be changed. They never had any problems doing it.

Chattastrophe!

Maybe I was just unlucky, it was a very busy time when I was in, when I asked to get them changed I was told it would be done but it never actually happened! The ward was extremely overcrowded and understaffed. Which is understandable, you can't predict when babies will be born, and if they all happen to come at once of course the resources available in the hospital will be limited.

Suucee

Chattastrophe! wrote: »

Maybe I was just unlucky, it was a very busy time when I was in, when I asked to get them changed I was told it would be done but it never actually happened! The ward was extremely overcrowded and understaffed. Which is understandable, you can't predict when babies will be born, and if they all happen to come at once of course the resources available in the hospital will be limited.

This happened to me with the first. So after about an hour of waiting ( i refuse to get in to soiled bed) i pulled off the soiled sheets. Used the ones that you are supposed to cover yourself with to lie on and put my night gown over me.
Midwife next morning wasnt happy that no one changed it for me.

Roesy

Chattastrophe! wrote: »

Maybe I was just unlucky, it was a very busy time when I was in, when I asked to get them changed I was told it would be done but it never actually happened! The ward was extremely overcrowded and understaffed. Which is understandable, you can't predict when babies will be born, and if they all happen to come at once of course the resources available in the hospital will be limited.

That happened to me with an overflowing sanitary bin in the bathroom the evening I went in to be induced. They seemed to be up the walls that night.

kandr10

I was given a couple of spare sheets while they were busy and someone changed it when they got the chance. The spare ones tided me over at least!

lashofeye

Just to mention when I was admitted to the ward while in labour with ds one I got sick from the pain and vomited all over my nightdress
Great idea to have a spare one or 2 just in case . Gas and air made me nausea too but I managed to miss my nightie and puked the floor !!!!
Sorry for tmi but be prepared

nikpmup

lashofeye wrote: »

Just to mention when I was admitted to the ward while in labour with ds one I got sick from the pain and vomited all over my nightdress
Great idea to have a spare one or 2 just in case . Gas and air made me nausea too but I managed to miss my nightie and puked the floor !!!!
Sorry for tmi but be prepared

I had three in my labour bag, I think, or two at least. Figured I'd be a mess after giving birth so had a clean one to put on

January

nikpmup wrote: »

I had three in my labour bag, I think, or two at least. Figured I'd be a mess after giving birth so had a clean one to put on

I had two nighties and a pair of PJ's for walking around in before labour actually kicked off (induced)...

kandr10

I also had two. One to give birth in and one for afterwards. Puked on the first one. Midwife gave me a gown so I'd still have my clean one for afterwards. Next time I'll take 3 !

deecee1

I'd also pop any medication your partner is on into your bag because with all the rushing around getting to the hospital it's likely to be forgotten. You don't know how long you'll both be there for so they may not get a chance to nip home and get some.

Neyite

deecee1 wrote: »

I'd also pop any medication your partner is on into your bag because with all the rushing around getting to the hospital it's likely to be forgotten. You don't know how long you'll both be there for so they may not get a chance to nip home and get some.

And paracetamol. The heat in a hospital can bring on headaches and because he isnt a patient, he wont be given anything like that, best bring in his usual pain relief. He might appreciate a toothbrush and paste to freshen up if you are in for the long haul too.

deecee1

Thanks for the paracetamol tip, didn't even think of it. Remembered his meds though and have toothbrush, deodorant and change of t-shirt in there for him.

Neyite

deecee1 wrote: »

Thanks for the paracetamol tip, didn't even think of it. Remembered his meds though and have toothbrush, deodorant and change of t-shirt in there for him.

Throw in a pair of socks.;) I vaguely remember someone saying on a forum that their waters or something broke and soaked his socks and had to squelch around in wet feet for a few hours.

If no disaster happens, he might appreciate them when freshening up after 12 hrs in a labour ward anyway.

nikpmup

I packed a little ''man survival kit''! Which consisted of; loads of €2 coins, a plain white tshirt, plain boxers, miniature shower gel, face wash and deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste, paracetamol, a spare phone charger and a few other bits & bobs. It all fit into a man's washbag. (carefully folded!)

Sarah Bear

Finding it hard to fit everything in my bag! Those maternity pads are like matresses, they take up so much room!
Think I'll have to have a third bag to leave in car with spare pads, nappys , pjs etc

nikpmup

They're huge! In hindsight, I'd leave out the breast pads, I didn't use them until my milk came in and I was home at that stage. I actually didn't use anywhere near the amount of mat pads that I bought, I didn't really bleed that heavily after the birth? I had a c-section, don't know if that made a difference, but after a couple of days it was just like a regular period; always pads would have done the job. Ironically, my periods are so heavy these days that I use the leftover mat pads at night :rolleyes:
I think I had just about the right amount of stuff - my list a couple of pages back looks huge but most of it was travel miniatures or small stuff - even my PJ's were summer ones with vest type tops so they could fold away really small. The most important thing was loads of pairs of big granny pants, I was really glad I had them, they were mahoosive but they didn't rub on my scar and were comfy. Big packs of them from Penneys for a couple of quid.

Millem

nikpmup wrote: »

I packed a little ''man survival kit''! Which consisted of; loads of €2 coins, a plain white tshirt, plain boxers, miniature shower gel, face wash and deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste, paracetamol, a spare phone charger and a few other bits & bobs. It all fit into a man's washbag. (carefully folded!)

We signed up to the "park by text" thing. Sooooo handy! We were warned at ante natal that no one would give us change around holles street and the do clamp!

nikpmup

We did the same, the €2 were for coffees, chocolates etc. When we arrived at the labour ward, the first thing I did was send him back downstairs for a coffee and a sambo; he hadn't eaten and I knew he wouldn't get the chance later. The midwife and the med student in with me thought I was mental!

ncmc

I'm not sure if this has been mentioned, but I only found out at my antenatal class that you need you and your partners pps number, photo ID and your wedding licence if you're married in order to register the baby. So no harm having all that to hand in advance.

lazygal

There's no rush to register the birth. You can easily leave it a few weeks.

kandr10

Yeah a lady came round when we were in hospital and took our details and my husband just showed the marriage cert when he went to collect her birth cert. i wouldnt bother bringing any of that stuff either.

You ladies are so kind to your partners. I made him pack his own stuff.told him id enough to think about lol :-)

Sarah Bear

Something that I found really great was a sports bottle water to spray cool water while having a wee after the birth!

Merkin

Hey ladies, just packing my hospital bags and you'd swear I was emigrating I'm bringing so much.....a leopard doesn't change it's spots! This thread has been great for tips and I'm wondering what kind of extra goodies or pampering things you found useful in labour? I've packed my TENS machine, have treated myself to Vichy face and body spray which might be nice to cool down with, as well as a little face fan (I believe maternity wards are very hot) and have some strappy light nighties. Am thinking maybe some aromatherapy oils. What else can you recommend? I'd like to bath during labour (the delivery room has a bath and shower), what did you ladies wear for this? I'm big into self indulgence and pampering so is there any little treats that you found comforting or helped on the big day? Thanks in advance

kandr10

Merkin wrote: »

Hey ladies, just packing my hospital bags and you'd swear I was emigrating I'm bringing so much.....a leopard doesn't change it's spots! This thread has been great for tips and I'm wondering what kind of extra goodies or pampering things you found useful in labour? I've packed my TENS machine, have treated myself to Vichy face and body spray which might be nice to cool down with, as well as a little face fan (I believe maternity wards are very hot) and have some strappy light nighties. Am thinking maybe some aromatherapy oils. What else can you recommend? I'd like to bath during labour (the delivery room has a bath and shower), what did you ladies wear for this? I'm big into self indulgence and pampering so is there any little treats that you found comforting or helped on the big day? Thanks in advance

That spray was an absolut godsend for me during labour. Im not sure about putting anything in the bath if youre labouring, i didnt do it myself. However afterwards i had minis from sanctuary spa, just shower gel and lotion and that made showering extra nice :-) a good lip balm would be useful also. I dont lnow why but my lips dried out so much in hospital and they dont usually.

Ps if you suspect youve overpacked you probably have. Take some stuff out and leave it handy for your partner to take in should you need. Not a lot of space in most hospitals and rummaging through bags isnt fun. Best of luck :-)

Merkin

Oh great idea re lips so thanks for that, I have some Eight Hour cream so will bring that for dry lips, thank you! Did you use gas and air? Everyone says that it makes your mouth and lips really dry!

Millem

Merkin wrote: »

Hey ladies, just packing my hospital bags and you'd swear I was emigrating I'm bringing so much.....a leopard doesn't change it's spots! This thread has been great for tips and I'm wondering what kind of extra goodies or pampering things you found useful in labour? I've packed my TENS machine, have treated myself to Vichy face and body spray which might be nice to cool down with, as well as a little face fan (I believe maternity wards are very hot) and have some strappy light nighties. Am thinking maybe some aromatherapy oils. What else can you recommend? I'd like to bath during labour (the delivery room has a bath and shower), what did you ladies wear for this? I'm big into self indulgence and pampering so is there any little treats that you found comforting or helped on the big day? Thanks in advance

I was told you can't put anything in bath after your waters have broken ( only water). I had bath and showers at home do didn't wear anything, I remember thinking about packing a bikini for the hospital, looking back I can only laugh!!!! You actually won't care what you are wearing!!

Merkin

Millem wrote: »

I was told you can't put anything in bath after your waters have broken ( only water)

Thanks for that, one less item for bag then!

Millem

Merkin wrote: »

Thanks for that, one less item for bag then!

The steam from my baths and showers made my hair a bit fuzzy so in hindsight I should have put on a shower hat but honestly the pain was so bad I didn't care!!