When to pack your hospital bag

[Lynne425]

Hi All

I'm 32 weeks pregnant with my first and as the title asks when did you pack your hospital bag?!

I'm just curious?

I think in my mind as I'm not due until February that's still ages away (I know it isn't) so I've plenty of time to think about it.

However two friends recently went into labour at 7 and 5 weeks early 😳 which has made me think about starting to pack my own!!xx

I'm afraid that when my last child was born I got up and had a bath at 2am, packed my bag and then woke DH up to tell him I was in labour. No forward planning here!

We packed it at around 34 weeks.

It was comforting to know that it was just there ready to grab :)

I’m just trying to think what was helpful now that we’re out the other side 😂 biscuits were good for early labour, same for a phone charger.

Lots of clean knickers are important for afterwards, you’ll want some pjs in case you need to stay over and some general toiletries.

Baby will need short sleeved vests, sleepsuits, a hat, scratch mitts and nappies/baby changing stuff. If you’re bottle feeding, pop that stuff in baby’s bag.

We found it useful to have 1 bag for me and 1 for baby.

Good luck :)

I packed the basics at 34 weeks then added as I went. I'm 39 weeks now and there's some things I can't add until I leave.

As a tip, pack more food than you think

Thanks for the tips @Stephisaur @Santababyclaus ☺️

Think I'll wait until after Xmas/New Year to pack as I'll be 34 weeks then but gonna pick up a few bits n bobs until then!!

Any advice on either PJs or Nighties for hospital?! Not planning on spending much on them xx

I'm packing mine now, I'm 32 weeks. It takes a little time to get everything together- I had to buy new underwear, pads, a spare wash set, tooth brush and paste etc. I also wanted my make up in there, so put that in when I was close to the end of the things I wear everyday and it used new ones at home.

If you have a bleed or need DH to collect it on his way to you (e.g. if you go in for an emergency scan or something) you don't want to have to remind him to grab stuff.

I didn't do it early enough last time and ended up packing at 2am New year's Day whilst in labour! Nowhere was open so I had to make do with what I had in the house. I missed out on a few things.

@Lynne425 mine are from Asda. It’s a button front long sleeved top and trousers. They’re navy blue with red/pink flowers on.

I was a 16 pre pregnancy and got these in a 20/22 because I wasn’t sure how big to go in regular sizes! They’re probably at least a size too big but they’re so damn comfy. I’ve lived in them since I gave birth last week!

All I'll say about PJ's and nighties - take one nightie in case you need a catheter, and dark colours are your friend!

If you plan to breastfeed, something with easy access is good.

In labour - I learned from the first time you don't really need anything, especially in the USA where my dd was born. Dh brought clothes when he came to pick me up, we didn't know how big she would be after all (her sister was really small despite being at term, she was closer to normal size but still on the small side). I'm usually a planner but really didn't see the need with a huge 24/7 supermarket across the road from the hospital - I sent dh to subway for food at one point because all the hospital had was healthy food!

Mine was a sort of ongoing project! I had absolute basics (nightie for me, couple of babygrows/vests/hat, deodorant and moisturiser, packed from about 34 weeks. Then over next 3 weeks till my waters broke read a lot of "what to pack" lists and added stuff (and took a few bits out). There's peace of mind in having the bare bones ready. Also, have a think about how far away home/shops are. We were a 10 minute drive, so it was easy for DH to pick up bits I'd forgotten - and we're near a town centre so other friends/family could bring bits for the couple of days I was there post-section (like 'tiny baby' size clothes for my 3 weeks early baby, which we weren't prepared for!)

If all goes well you'll be home the same day, so provided someone can ferry in bits that you might need if you're in longer, I'd just get the bare minimum packed now then not worry too much!

DC1 I did it when in early labour. It went on for 48 hours so was a decent distraction .
DC2, probably about 37 weeks.
Currently 39 weeks with DC3 and did it last weekend.

I only packed mines the day before I wen to hospital for a growth scan as I had a feeling I was going to be kept in...low and behold, got induced 2 days later and our little one was born 10 days ago at 38+6 😂

I'm not known for my forward planning however I would now advise it's never too early to get it packed!

I'm also due in February and I'm planning to pack once we've got Christmas out of the way!
When I had my daughter, I wore a nightie afterwards, which had buttons at the top, so that I could breastfeed. It seemed to work out well, so I'll probably do the same this time too.

Oh nightwear... I’ve bought some button up nightshirts from primark for easy access breastfeeding. I’ve bought them in a 14 (I’m usually a size 10) for comfort!

I didn’t stay in hospital overnight when I had my first two so just showered and put my clothes on after the birth.

I was late but still didn't get around to packing one. Ended up wearing some tiny disposable pants from the hospital.
Next time round if nothing else I'm going to pack a clean nightie, pants, pad, toothpaste and toothbrush if nothing else and do it least 2 weeks before my due date.

Immediately! My waters went at 36+1, we'd naively assumed DS would be late as he was our first...

Lol! Pick the date when you think you should have it ready by, and then count backwards by about a month

I had ds at 35 weeks. Glad I had been packed (and repacked!) in plenty of time!

First time, I pretty much took a suitcase. Then progressively less each time. My 4th is due at the beginning of January. I'll take my medical paperwork, phone & charger, basic toiletries, small change for the vending machine, disposable knickers & extra pads, flip flops. That's about it, I think. I'll wear hospital gowns while I'm in there. I'll also prepare (but leave at home, in a really obvious place) the baby carseat plus baby's and my going home clothes for DH to bring in when we're getting discharged.

Oh god @mortifiedmama I could not have coped with my catheter if I’d been wearing a nightie! It felt a lot less obvious coming out my pj bottoms!

Maybe pack both OP so you have a choice :)

I had baby's bag packed and ready to go from about 34 weeks. Hadn't thought about my own, so my Dad brings in a MAHOOSIVE suitcase, the sort you'd move country with, when I ended up giving birth (and nothing in it that I needed - my mother had packed the entire contents of my bathroom and a massive dressing gown and that was about it). The immortal shame. Nurses kept complaining about it as they couldn't get around the bed. I was so embarrassed.
For that reason, I'd have both bags ready to go from whenever you have everything ready really.

A small wheelie case for baby's stuff and a backpack for your own stuff should be fine. Do not end up with your parents bringing the biggest suitcase ever into a maternity ward.
Be prepared!
I still cringe at the shame of that. What were they thinking.

Thanks everyone!!

Off on a sister Xmas shopping day today (however I've had mine all bought and wrapped for weeks 🙈 #superorganised) so might just take a few notes from this post and purchase what I need to pack so at least I have it!!xxx

I've started packing mine today,, have threatened preterm labour last Wednesday at 28 weeks which was very stressful and want to make sure I have what I need to feel settled when baby does make an appearance.

She clearly can't read a calendar and thinks 2018 is the new 2019!

Mine was mostly packed at 36 weeks, though I also made a list on my phone with last min things that I can't keep permanently in the bag (glasses, skin cream, paperwork, diabetes testing kit etc).

I'm a bit of a germaphobe so I packed an entire box of tissues, hand sanitiser, disinfectant wipes for my phone etc. If I'm stuck in bed not being able to move much (ELCS) then I want all surfaces or hands clean if needed :P! A lot of people didn't mention packing any medicines. I'm a tiny bit skeptical whether the hospital is that responsive if you're only feeling mildly unwell, so I also packed basic non-prescription stuff like anti-bloating tablets, ginger sweets, fennel tea, paracetamol.

Lastly (and this is where I know I'm venturing into borderline crazy terrain ) I'm also taking the 4G modem from my office which creates a mobile hotspot when plugged in anywhere. May have to stay in hospital for 3-4 days and my usual network roaming will get used up within a few hours. I know some people might get antsy about wifi radiation but for me that's a negligible risk compared to the very real problems of people bringing in germs during flu season or not being able to distract yourself from pain & boredom since all your internet is gone.