Packing the Hospital Bag (ahem, case)

At 37 weeks pregnant, I'm currently in the process of packing my hospital bag which is a fun and slightly daunting process.

My snacks alone could fill up a suitcase but I've managed to rearrange things a little so that everything just about fits.

Before I continue, this is not a post explaining how to pack like Martha Stewart - I am the worst folder in the world.
But I thought it might be useful for any mums-to-be to see what I've included.  I've done a lot of research and these are the items that are repeatedly listed as the 'essentials'. Anything that's linked is the exact product I've got packed.

FYI Dan asked if I would like to pack my Kindle. He seems to think we're going on a spa break...

The Push Pack by Mama Mio includes a refreshing facial spritz and massage oil

 For Mum:

• 2 x Nighties that are suitable for skin-to-skin and breastfeeding
• Cosy Socks 
• Flip Flops
• Lightweight Dressing Gown
• 2 x Nursing Bras
• Eye Mask 
• Arnica Pills - pretty sure I'll be popping these on the regular
• Lavender Spray for spritzing my pillow and around the room to keep me relaxed
• Tena Pants - the furthest thing from sexy but highly recommended for the first few days after giving birth
• Bikini top (I'm hoping to use the birthing pool)
• Toiletries including deodorant stick, shower gel, toothbrush etc and my fave pregnancy skincare brand Mama Mio's Tummy Rub Oil and recently launched Push Pack, created especially for labour.  I'm steering clear of anything artificially perfumed cos things can get a little stingy in places
• Dark oversized knickers - nothing expensive, that's for sure
• Breast Pads UPDATE I have since purchased fabric breast pads since I needed to wear them for a few months.  They're eco-friendly and far more comfortable than the disposables
• Earplugs
• Bendy straws - useful when you're in unusual positions but still need to access bottled water
• Dark Bath Towel
• Phone charger
• Speakers to play chilled out music from the Spotify app on our phones  
• Loose, comfortable clothes to travel home in
• My incredibly cosy maternity pillow by Theraline - sometimes there is a shortage of pillows in hospitals and I wanna be as comfy as possible! This will be carried separately
• Sweets/crisps/energy bars - these are in a separate tote because there's a hell of a lot! 
• TENS machine - I will use this as soon as the contractions begin so will most likely start using this at home before taking it to the hospital with me. I love how portable the Obi Tens Plus is
• We also plan to take an ice bag packed with bottles of water straight from the freezer because birthing units are really warm
•  Print out of birth plan. Although I'm renaming mine 'birth preferences' because I think it's  important to keep an open mind

For Baby:

• 3 x bodysuits
• 3 x sleepsuits
• 3 x muslins
• Scratch Mitts, booties and hat
• Going home outfit
• Small Pack of Nappies
• Cellular Blanket - I recently wrote about baby's first blanket here
• Muslins
• Cotton Wool
• Baby Wipes

Dan will also pack a few essentials so that he can stay with me the whole time (or maybe he'll purposefully forget something so he can go home for a rest in between).