Pregnancy hospital bag

Although we are a travel blog and we write about travel in Lithuania and around the world, there are all kinds of travel in life. One of the most important one is travelling to the maternity home where your baby will see the world. A mothers pregnancy hospital bag is like a suitcase that we pack for the journey. It is very important to think about what to bring and what to take with you.

Agne, one of the co-founders of “Travel 4 kids®”, shares her recent experience of what it was like to pack her pregnancy hospital bag. What items and goods worked well, what was missing and had to be bought in a hurry, what was not needed at all. Very frankly and honestly, as a mother-to-mother.

Little traveller Paule, was born on 29 December 2022, so all the impressions are still fresh.

When is it time to start packing your pregnancy hospital bag

Experts recommend that a mother’s pregnancy hospital bag should be packed and ready two months before the due date. Some consider it sufficient to have it ready one month before the due date. It is up to you to decide. If it is safer for you to have your maternity basket ready three months before the due date, that’s fine. If you don’t want to pack it yet, that’s fine too, but obviously don’t leave it to the last minute. Think about whether your husband could pack and bring all the things you need to the hospital if you suddenly had to leave for the birth.

Personally, I packed my mum’s bag for the hospital a month before the due date. And even though this was my second home delivery basket and I already had some experience, I still didn’t think everything through. And some things were extra and my husband had to go to the pharmacy and the shop. That is why I want to share my personal experience and recommendations with you.

Pregnancy hospital bag – how to put it together

A mother’s Pregnancy hospital bag consists of three parts. The first is the giving birth basket for the mother and first clothing for the baby, the second is the hospital room basket for the baby and the third is the hospital room basket for the mother. In this article, I would like to share my experience and recommendations on the third basket. What I did not need, what I missed. Also what would be the mother’s basket to the hospital if I needed it a third time.

If there are no complications, you will take 2-3 days to give birth at hospital, so use the basket for that number of days. As I had to spend 5 days at the hospital, my husband had to bring extra things.

RECOMMENDATION: As it was quite a task for my husband to find the things I needed at home, if I had to go to the hospital to give birth again, I would leave the extra basket at home. In case I had to stay longer than planned at the hospital.

Mother’s hospital room basket – toiletries and medical supplies

I stacked this part of the basket very responsibly. And it was probably the biggest part of my suitcase. I share what it looked like, how much I had, how much I used, what was missing.

What I had with me and needed:

1. Nappies (I had one for the labour room, two for the hospital room, that’s all I needed);
2. Disposable panties (I had three pieces, I used two);
3. High-absorbency postnatal pads (I had an 8-pack, my husband bought extra);
4. Disposable bra pads (I had 10 pieces, used 8);
5. “Multi-Gyn FemiWash” foam for intimate hygiene (I’ve been using it at home for a long time). I usually check the price of each product on this page to compare prices. This month, “Multi-Gyn FemiWash” foam is the cheapest at Benu pharmacy. It’s also very convenient and comes in a small 100 ml pack. I particularly like these because I don’t have to transfer from a big 250 ml or 500 ml to a small container. And the dosage is very convenient. It is very important to pay attention to the ingredients when choosing an intimate hygiene wash for postnatal use, which you will also use at home during the postnatal period. It is important that it does not contain soaps that dry out the skin or synthetic fragrances. “Multi-Gyn FemiWash” foam is extremely mild, soap-free and suitable for sensitive skin. And that’s exactly what your genital skin will be like after childbirth.
6. Shampoo, toothpaste and toothbrush, deodorant, face cream, comb and your usual and necessary cosmetics.
7. Medicines or food supplements that you take.
8. Wet wipes (I had a pack and that was enough).

What I had with me and didn’t need:

1. Disposable sheets (I didn’t need any as the hospital provided them);
2. Shower gel for the body (the hospital had it);
3. A box of disposable wipes (they were at the hospital).

I did not need these because they were in Santariškės, but they may not necessarily be in the hospital where you give birth.

What I didn’t have with me but needed

I DID NOT HAVE hygiene products and I needed nipple cream and compresses on the first day after giving birth. As the breastfeeding journey with my son was very smooth, I did not need these products in the hospital, so I did not take them with me. After this birth, my husband went to the pharmacy in a hurry to buy them.

“Multi-Mam” compresses

Breastfeeding with Paule was difficult at first, with nipples that became extremely sensitive, painful and cracked. While Paule was learning to breastfeed correctly, I personally did not enjoy feeding my baby. After breastfeeding, the only thing that saved me was “Multi-Mam” compresses (check this page for the cheapest price at the moment). Probably every expectant or breastfeeding mother has heard of them. “Multi-Mam” compresses are soft and comfortable pads that are placed on the nipple to create an optimal environment for the natural healing process. I honestly didn’t believe they could help so much.

I found these compresses particularly helpful a few days after giving birth, when the small amount of colostrum was replaced by a large amount of milk production and the breasts were flooded with fluids to produce milk. They became hot and painful and it was these “Multi-Mam” compresses that helped me to relieve the pain and swelling. My midwife mentioned that they also prevent mastitis as a preventive measure. The compress is saturated with a bioactive gel made from natural plant substances. It is the natural composition that is most important to me when choosing products that must come into contact with the baby. And most importantly, the rest of the compress does not need to be wiped off before breastfeeding. After removing the compress, you can immediately breastfeed and not be afraid that the residue will be harmful to the baby.

“Multi-Mam” Nipple cream

“Multi-Mam” Nipple Cream is a product that I used from the first days after giving birth and still use today. In the first days after giving birth, together with nipple compresses, it helped to relieve the pain. And now I use it as a protective cream to keep my nipples from cracking and to keep my skin soft, supple and healthy.

What I particularly like is that there is no need to wipe the nipple cream off before breastfeeding.

The best remedy I’ve discovered for a new mother

My total discovery is the “Multi-Mam” After-Birth Spray (check the price on this page. The cheapest to buy at the moment is Mano vaistine). It was recommended to me by a wonderful midwife in Santariškės. And I will definitely agree that I had not heard of such a product and had not tried it after the birth of my first son. But now that I have tried it, I can say – WOW. And I can confidently recommend it to you. I had no tears during this birth and I did not have to have my perineum stitched. However, after the birth, the genital area was “terribly” sensitive. This spray calmed the area, cooled it down and gave such a feeling of relief.

Probably every postnatal mother knows how painful it is to urinate after giving birth. Especially that first pee, when you’re scared and you don’t know what the pain will be like. I used to spray Multi-Mam After-Birth Spray before every pee and it soothed the pain and reduced the discomfort. It’s a pity I didn’t have this on the first day after the birth and before the first pee, because it would have really helped with the pain. I also used it every time I used the toilet.

This spray is very convenient and can be used in a 360 degree inversion, i.e. standing or sitting, without having to lie down. It can be used on stitches and immediately after delivery, but do not use on open wounds. Like other “Multi-Mam” products, its composition is natural and it does not contain any fragrances.

I used this spray for about a month after giving birth to relieve pain and tightness as soon as I felt discomfort. Also before and after using the toilet.

Post – natal ward bag for mom – clothes and other items

Clothing

Nightwear suitable for breastfeeding (front-buttoned, suitable for skin-to-skin contact). I had one for the delivery room and one for the room, and it was enough;

Breastfeeding bras (I had two and they were enough). I would recommend choosing a bra that is seamless, at least after the birth, and that can easily adapt to changes in breast size and does not press. This bra is my favourite. Later on, you will be able to choose a more ornate one, once you know exactly what size your breasts will be during breastfeeding. I would recommend having at least two nursing bras, as there will be leakage of milk. Also they need to be washed frequently for hygiene reasons. I have four. I got them all from the 9 months shop. Personally, the sleep bras recommended in the shop, which I hadn’t tried with my first son, Motiejus, were also very useful;

Bathrobe

Blouses with detachable shoulder straps (I had two in the hospital, which was enough). These blouses are my absolute favourite. I have four of them. They are my number one garment. I use them as an undershirt under a jumper or a sweater, as a sleeping blouse. They are very comfortable for breastfeeding. In fact, I cannot imagine breastfeeding without them;

Nursing blouse. I would recommend having at least one breastfeeding blouse that you can comfortably feed your baby while wearing. It will allow you to feed your baby effortlessly and comfortably at the hospital (which, by the way, you will have to go to at least once a month) and in other public places;

Trainers or leggings (comfort is the most important thing), a jumper (in case it gets colder in the ward) or just clothes that you feel comfortable with and wear at home;

Socks;

Other items

Towel for the body and a separate towel for the crotch;

Water, water, water. Although you need to drink water all the time, it is especially important after giving birth. At the beginning of breastfeeding, sufficient water is particularly important;

Snack. I didn’t have any, and after giving birth I really wanted to have a snack and regain my strength as soon as possible. The hospital cafeteria was no longer open, so my relatives had to go to the shop;

Blanket. I needed it to keep me cosy and to wrap myself in during skin-to-skin contact.

Giving birth at Santariškės (Obstetrics and Gynaecology Centre of Vilnius University Hospital Santaros Clinics)

I had to give birth in a level III hospital due to certain indications. This hospital in Vilnius is the Obstetrics and Gynaecology Centre of Vilnius University. However, even if I had not been obliged to choose a level III hospital, I would still have chosen giving birth at Santariškės. I gave birth to my first son, Motiejus, there.

Qualified personnel

I gave birth to both Motiejus and Paule with the most wonderful doctor in the world, Romoaldas Jursenas. His compassion, calmness, constant encouragement and, of course, professionalism are incredible. I felt calm throughout the whole birth, I knew I was in the best hands. After the birth, the doctor visited me every day, asked me how I was doing and gave me advice. After both my first and this birth, I could not find the right words to thank this doctor for giving me two of the most wonderful children in the world. And when I said goodbye to the doctor, I couldn’t hold back my tears. I am eternally grateful to him for his help and care when I had to come back from the hospital a few days after discharge with uterine inflammation.

Paule’s birth was also attended by a fantastic midwife, Oksana, whose last name I unfortunately cannot remember. It is hard to believe how a person can work with such dedication and love. With her support, both physical and moral, I felt as if my mother was present at the birth alongside my husband.

During the five days I spent in the hospital, all the staff were extremely qualified and professional. I was particularly impressed by the young midwives working in the post-natal wards.

Modern clinic

The modernity of the maternity wards and hospital rooms at the Santaros Klinikos Obstetrics and Gynaecology Centre probably needs no introduction. The wards are new and modern. There are tablets by the beds with internet access. We chose a private paid ward so that my husband could be there all the time. There are two types of paid private wards – larger and smaller. If you want one of these wards, please inform the hospital staff before you give birth.

I would definitely recommend the Obstetrics and Gynaecology Centre at Vilnius University Hospital Santaros Klinikos for the professionalism of the doctors, the modernity of the facilities, and the post-natal care of the mother and the newborn. And, of course, because of doctor Romoaldas Jursenas. I sincerely wish that every mother would give birth under the care of such a wonderful doctor.

Once you’ve decided to travel with your baby, we recommend reading the article “Tips for preparing for a trip with a baby”.

The article “Pregnancy hospital bag” is an original article prepared by “Travel 4 kids®”. Copying and use without permission is strictly prohibited.

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