Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Flip

1 2 3 4

Original poster

To be 35 weeks pregnant with no packed bags?

94 replies

stormytherabbit · 23/08/2017 14:37

I am 35 weeks pregnant and booked for a csection at around 39 weeks.

I haven't packed my own nor baby's bag yet. AIBU? I am getting a hard time from DH and my Dfriends.

I just don't know what to pack!!

OP posts:

Timefor2 · 23/08/2017 20:00

My top tip - put a pillow in a patterned pillow case in the boot of your car. Don't take it in with you when you arrive at the hospital. Once you are on the ward, see if you can get two pillows (assuming you sleep with two at home) and then get someone to bring your own pillow in from the car - either because the pillows from the hospital will be so flat you'll want an extra, you want to be more propped up that normal as easier to get in/out bed post C-section, you want a spare pillow to help with breastfeeding position etc. When I gave birth recently pillows were in short supply and so I was glad to have my own one as a spare in the car. Patterned pillow case is so that it doesn't get mixed up with the hospital pillows. Good luck!

IggyAce · 23/08/2017 20:04

YANBU I was packing mine while on the phone to the maternity unit as my waters had gone at 36weeks. I had everything I just hadn't packed it into a case. I was more organized the second time and packed it at 34 weeks just in case.

BrawneLamia · 23/08/2017 20:06

With dc1 I was going to pack when I started maternity leave, but I went into premature labour at 35 weeks. Apparently 1 in 10 babies are born before 37 weeks, so it's not that uncommon.

I had nothing with me apart from the (soaked) clothes I was wearing. It was a massive pain. The midwives tutted at me every time I asked for a maternity pad. I called dp with a list, but he seemed to bring all of the wrong things - eg a slinky evening dress instead of my maternity nightie. . Oh, and I live 5 minutes from the hospital but it was full, so I had been ambulanced to another one miles away.

Seriously it was a huge pain. Learn from my mistakes and pack yours now.

Primulas · 23/08/2017 20:07

I don't get any excitement about packing bags either, but it probably is worth at least making sure you have the essentials. DS1 was born at 42 weeks so I had absolutely nothing ready when 35 weeks pregnant with DS2. He was born at 35+5! It wasn't the end of the world, but I did have to send people out to buy 'massive pants' and maternity pads!

Moomintroll85 · 23/08/2017 20:12

BIG knickers - bigger than you think you'll need so they can be pulled way up above your scar. Same goes for comfy/stretchy clothes.

I had an emergency c-section and wish I had brought slightly more accommodating clothes/knickers as I was quite swollen for a few days post-surgery. I also wish I had packed more snacks!

You'll be fine

Thishatisnotmine · 23/08/2017 20:14

My midwife told me off for this! I did pack eventually. I did write a list of what to throw in last minute but dd2 happened so fast dh still had to go home to get me some trousers to go home in (arrived at the hospital in an ambulance wearing a vest and dressing gown) . So pack!

Redinthefacegirl · 23/08/2017 20:24

I packed mine whilst in active labour at 33 weeks. It was pretty surreal. One minute I was on all fours mooing like a cow the next I was pitching some stuff in a bag. Poor DH was befuddled by my weirdly precise instructions ("not a yellow towel, a dark colour").

It was fine. DH brought extra stuff I needed up the next day and all the baby stuff was too big anyway.

cannaethink · 23/08/2017 20:25

I only packed for DC1 once my labour had properly started. I waited til I was having contractions every five minutes, I didn't want to jinx it or scare it off! I was 38 weeks. With DC2 I packed earlier but then was kept waiting til 39+5. So I felt I'd proved myself right- being prepared scares off labour!

Tallulahoola · 23/08/2017 20:26

People overthink the bag thing. DS was early and I went to hospital without a bag and it was fine, my DH just brought some stuff later. Pack of sleepsuits and pack of vests (if you think the baby might be small, buy a tiny baby size as well as newborn). A baby hat because they can lose a lot of heat when they're first born, but even if you forgot one it wouldn't be the end of the world because hospitals have spares. Big knickers and changes of clothes for you. Nappies and cotton wool.

Most hospital wards are tropically hot, instead of PJs I had a couple of really stretchy nighties. Everyone told me to bring loads of sanitary pads and honestly I think I got through about 8 altogether. Take some snacks because you'll be starving and hospital food is not great. Shower gel (they like you to have a shower after a day or so) and a toothbrush and toothpaste. And more snacks.

Your DP/mum/whoever you'd like to visit you can always bring stuff in from home as well. So don't worry!

MrTrebus · 23/08/2017 20:37

You only got through 8 pads?! You're a rare breed! I had to use 5 massive ones at a time and change them every hour for the first few days!

BrawneLamia · 23/08/2017 20:51

More like 8 packs for me. But I used lots before I even gave birth as my waters broke early on. I had vaginal births too so maybe that makes a difference

joojoobean99 · 23/08/2017 20:54

I'm in the same situation - booked for a ELCS at 39 weeks but I'm almost 37 weeks and still not finished packing my bags! Hastily thrown a few things on top of my holdall but I'm in no way fully prepared.

I feel like as soon as my bags are packed it makes everything more real, and that really scares me! I'm trying not to think about the birth, and packing my bags forces me to accept that in 2 weeks time (hopefully not earlier!) I'll have to put those bags in the car and go to the hospital to have the baby. I'm so scared!!!

Tallulahoola · 23/08/2017 20:57

Yeah i don't know why, I've had two c-sections and both times I hardly bled at all. After the first one I was left with a cupboard full of pads, managed to give them away after about 2 years then got pregnant again

BrawneLamia · 23/08/2017 21:02

Maybe when they do a csection some of the blood comes out during the operation, so there is less afterwards?

Lana1234 · 23/08/2017 21:06

I've had 3 massive bags packed for a couple of weeks (40+2 and started having contractions today weew) I've absolutely over thought it and over packed and probably don't need half the stuff I've put in but better to be over prepared maybe? I'm just a massive worrier tbh haha

MrTrebus · 23/08/2017 21:11

No Brawne I had a c section and bled more than most for weeks!

BrawneLamia · 24/08/2017 07:37

Well that's my theory ruined

Batteriesallgone · 24/08/2017 07:44

This probably won't go down well but get your DH to pack it.

Seriously he needs to be on the ball with looking after you and baby post birth so get practising now. Where are your comfy clothes kept, where are babies clothes, how much do babies wear / go through, what nappies do you need...

Get him to pack it then you audit it. Make sure you both know where everything is.

DonutCone · 24/08/2017 07:44

You know women all over the world and for thousands of years before us managed to give birth without a special little bag?

You go to hospital, have a baby, go home. It's not a round the world trip. Some pads, some pants, Nightie. Baby outfit. Your done.

SchnooSchnoo · 24/08/2017 07:46

I would pack now. I hadn't got round to it with my second. I was planning to do it the weekend before my due date. I started having contractions at 38+6 and ended up packing whilst in labour. Needless to say, I didn't do a very good job of it!

NotAgainYoda · 24/08/2017 07:46

You need only to make sure you've got the basics
You don't have to pack a bag. Packing a bag takes 2 minutes

Batteries

Good idea

Batteriesallgone · 24/08/2017 07:47

Donut

Do tell us more about these women having caesareans at the side of the field, or dying of infections from using any old rags as maternity towels.

Don't be a dick. Of course it's possible to give birth without a bag. It's possible to give birth whilst in a coma FFS. But most of us want it to be as comfortable an experience as possible.

NotAgainYoda · 24/08/2017 07:51

... and why is your DH giving you a "hard time"

Give him the book/website address of things you'll need to take and ask him to do it. You are heavily pregnant. Start as you mean to go on

NapQueen · 24/08/2017 07:55

Dc1 I took a couple of smaller bags, but dc2 I took one of those little wheelie cabin size cases. I out everyting in there so could just keep it at the bottom of my bed or the chair and one zip and I can see everything.

Bunged some empty carrier bags in to shove labour mess clothes in and baby sicked clothes and knotted them and gave them to dh when I visited.

SomewhatIdiosyncratic · 24/08/2017 07:58

Don't bother with pyjamas or trousers. Post natal fit and scar rubbing is too much of a lottery. Just go for a nightie and a dress to come home in.

Slippers are a waste of time, useless for the shower, go for flip flops instead.

Food, food and more food. Hospital portions are based on the likes of cardiac patients and sedentary old people, not new mums with milk coming in and awake much of the night. A sandwich at 5pm does not keep you going until 8am!

Flip

1 2 3 4