When do you pack your hospital bag?

[virgo1979]

Straw poll - this is my first, seeing as i need to buy the half stuff yet wondered when you guys got your hospital bag ready....am 30 weeks now...

[EldonAve]

37 weeks

[nightshade]

began packing at about 32 weeks, added to, re organised, took out, repacked and finally finished at about 37 weeks.

[virgo1979]

thanks. will start thinking about it now then will be another 4-5 weeks before i actually get round to doing it. and i will def be unpacking, packing, adding stuff, taking stuff out...

[cakeywakey]

I'd also second 37 weeks. I went into labour at 37+3 and had to pack it during my early contractions - I didn't have any food or drink to take with me and also forgot to bring clothes for me to come home in. Take my word for it that this is not an outfit choice to be left to a shell-shocked and sleep-addled new dad

[MumNWLondon]

start buying stuff at 34 weeks and packing at 37.

each time i repacked in early labour (this is DC 3 and I am 37+6 today) but like to have it packed just in case the labour is quick.

[LadyOfTheFlowers]

I packed mine this time (4th) between 37 and 38 weeks.

Did it really early first time round and it tends to get later each time.

[mazzystartled]

first - didn't get round to packing it. total denial. baby arrived 38 weeks - grabbed what i had and it was fine, dh had to go and buy babyclothes

second - elcs at 40+3, packed the night before.

this one (hopeful VBA2C)- sorted something out last week at 36 weeks, as was away for the weekend and thought a hospital bag would prevent anything happening, still a number of critical items missing - ie big pants and maternity pads

[Pancakeflipper]

Packed at 37 weeks with my first. Was really slack with the second and did it when in labour - was only a 3 hr labour so forgot some stuff. Don't recommend that ... OH was pants at bringing what I forgot to pack.

[gemcgem]

i'm packed an ready to go an im only 26 weeks! keen i know but just thought its best to be prepared , as my first DS was born at 37 weeks an DS2 tryed to make an apperance at 35 weeks ( but they stopped it) good luck

[randomimposter]

37 weeks seemed like a good plan....
waters broke at 36+5.... Uh-Oh...

[tvfriend]

1st time was vaguely thinking of doing it at 35 weeks. Didn't get round to it and DD born at 36 weeks- cue mad instructions down the phone to DH/MIL etc etc from my hospital bed.

With DS did it at 33 weeks- he was born 2 weeks later. (But was in hospital for way longer than I thought I would be so still had to issue the mad instructions).

[Albrecht]

Went to physio class at hospital and midwife told us we should have it packed two months in advance. Just in case...

[EldonAve]

apart from the camera I reckon I could manage without the bag altogether

[abbierhodes]

I'm 36+5 and not yet feeling the urge to pack it. I'm pretty sure I was packed and ready to go at 30 weeks or so with the first 2!

[WickedWitchSouthWest]

I'm having dc2 and will start putting stuff out in the nursery from 32 weeks but I doubt it will actually end up in a bag til more like 37 - 38 weeks

[GJ91]

I made sure to have all the bits I thought I would be needing in the house by about 34 weeks. The thought of OH dashing about buying maternity pads and breast pads was enough to get me motivated. I also bought lots and lots of cheap cotton granny pants from tescos! I really don't fancy wearing those papery disposable ones they do, I'd reather wear the cotton ones and chuck them after!
It was at about 37 weeks i made sure I'd packed everything for me and baby properly. Got my camera fully charged and some cereal bars and sweets in there , always thinking of my belly
38+4 x

[Shaz10]

I promised my friend I would have mine packed by 34 weeks because that's when she went into labour - 3 times!

I had to take half of it out when my section was booked - that was quite sad actually.

[Shaz10]

Although it worked well when I got told I was going in "tomorrow" for a week, as I didn't have to panic pack!

[Debs75]

with 1st I started buying bits weekly from about 25 weeks. Had very limited income so found it better to slip in a pack of maternity pads etc. in with weekly shop rather then save the money up. Had everything bought and packed by 35 weeks then every few days checked and repacked everything again.
Also wrote down numerous lists on what I needed and what I had packed so that I didn't leave anything behind.
A bit anal I know but I really like packing (reminds me of holidays I don't get the chance to go on) and lijke to be prepared as possible.
Best friend left it to 37 weeks. Got boked in hospital at 36 weeks with high blood pressure and had nothing so I went to boots and got her the essentials. When they let her home she finally got her bag packed the day before she went in 3 weeks later.

[gemcgem]

yeah im the same GJ91 i dont ever wear them paper pants cheap cotton ones all the way thanks!

[WickedWitchSouthWest]

ergh paper pants! I didn't use those either, bought a pack of black pants from Primark for about £2. Maternity pads however are actually useful for a couple of days after as they act as a lovely little cushion for your poor old undercarriage - Always Night didn't quite have the same benefit

[MillyMollyMoo]

I'm 31 weeks this week and have bought and packed everything but not washed it and taken things out of the packet as I'm a bit superstitious I guess i'll do that in the next 3 weeks though I like everything in place from 35 weeks. To gather dust lol