Homebirthers - did you pack a hospital bag?

[Ceolas]

Just in case?

Everything is set and I'm 39 weeks today.

Don't want to tempt fate, but wonder about scrabbling about for things if we have to transfer

i would pack a small bag with clean knickers, nightie etc in it. shower gel, etc, because at the time it may need to be a quick transfer and you will already be stressed enough, iyswim?

packs

I have a bag packed with emergency stuff for one night, plus a drawer ready to be used at home afterwards or thrown into a bag just in case. Good luck with it all!

I planned to, but then I went into labour on my second day of maternity leave when I hadn't quite got it together and was busy posting on MN anyway. I wandered vaguely around the Inferiority Complex looking for big pants, and then gave up and came back and posted some more on MN and then went off and had the baby

It's probably a very good idea. And big pants vg idea in case of a Caesarian.

I did coz I knew DH would flap if we needed to transfer. I put in stuff for the baby mostly, with big knicks, nightie, toiletries and maternity pads for me.

I didn't, but only cos am woefully disorganised. I meant to. Didn't need it though, as it turns out - here's hoping you don't either!

No.
And I should have because when I woke in hospital I had no money for the phone system, no clothing that I could get into, no toothbrush or essential toiletries...nothing at all, really, except a huge box of 1000 breast pads that DP had hurles into a bag. DP had left me sleeping at dawn and gone home. Couldn't contact him at home (no mobile, no money), had to wait for him to come in and eventually send him back for useful stuff.

Yes

Sort of in a half arsed way...

a very basic one in Jenster's half-arsed way

think you have convinced me, Blu.

i'm planning a home birth, am also 39weeks and i have packed a hospital bag, just in case so if i do have to go in it wont be any more stressful than it has to be, plus its quite good to know that ive got everything all in one place anyway even if i do manage to stay at home!

yes! even if you dont transfer have everything you need for labour in one bag and everything you need for the next few days in another, then if you want something just ask for the bag, much easier than trying to explain where something is (and maybe what it is, depends how clued up your dp is)

I did. I figured that if I had the bag packed then I wouldn't need it (although it was handy for having everything in one place). If I hadn't it would have been just my luck to need to be transferred! As it happened everything went ok and I didn't need it.

OK I packed. Feels slightly like tempting fate, but at least I'm prepared

I didn't, but was aware that I should have done!

I would most def pack one, just in case, as you can never know how things will turn out. It is such an unpredictable business! Pack the bag but put it somewhere out of sight if that makes you feel better. Good luck!

No, but I should have done, will do next time ;-)

Yes I did, and I did need it as I transferred to hospital. There would have been no time to pack anything, so it was just as well.

I packed a bag and found it very useful even though I managed to have my baby at home because it meant everything was to hand and I didn't have to send my husband hunting for knickers and maternity towels.