How soon is too soon to pack a hospital bag? 25 weeks with twins...

[thechocmonster]

.... and if you have any recommendations for what I should pack - would love to hear them. Have already had 2, but have been woefully unprepared each time. Not sure why. But this time I might have a c section and be in hospital for five days or so, I figure I need to get organised.

I suggest you pack emergencies.

I delivered my twins at 27 weeks and I was thankful that I had managed to buy 1 pack of bodyform ultra thick pads. That was about all I had bought - but TBH this early it was about all I needed.

You can add to it over the coming months but it doesn't hurt to have the most critical things ready IME.

Okay - will get some bodyform and make that the first thing in my bag.

27 weeks sounds early - but I was reading a thread the other day and 35 weeks seems quite normal for twins - so I figured that I better get a move on and get myself sorted.

I was hopeless too.

I was admitted with complications at 33 weeks and kept in for 10 days before I had them. I had to sleep in a hospital gown for 2 days. I don't really do nighties just scruffy old t-shirts so he had to go and buy a load.

My mum went round the day after I had the babies and packed a proper bag.

Don't bother with books and magazines (you've already got kids so you know that already). If they don't let you use your mobile then start stick piling 10p pieces.

For baby loads of vests and babygrows and nappies if the hospital don't give them away.

27 weeks is early - and pretty unlikely. BUIt what I was trying to say is that it is never too early to have th ecritical things ready. Babies didn't need anything at this stage as they went straight to ICU and were cared for with hospital supplies - at least for the first 48hrs.

With DD3 I did have essentials like a towel, sanitary towels, toothbrush/toothpaste ready early. I didn't pack my final bag until about 35/36wks though.

I think I need to get prepared as I don't have any pyjamas etc anyway. Usually just wear raggy old t-shirts to bed, which might not go down so well in hospital.

That was the other thing. I was admitted at 23wks initially and ended up haing to squeeze into my pre maternity PJs.

Fortunately (or not!) I bought some maternity PJs the day before I was admitetd when I delivered!

I packed mine at 34+6...went into labour at 35 exactly!

If you end up having to stay in a few days put aside some clothes at home that you would like bringing in. Everything in one side of wardrobe or one drawer. My DP was pretty useless at bringing me the things I asked for whenever I had unexpected stays. So this time with twins I had a drawer full of stuff that would fit - all he to do was find the right drawer!!
I'd packed my overnight essentials plus a few extra bits and then as the weeks went by I added nappies etc. In the end just grabbed nightshirt, phone charger, pads and went by ambulance!!
Good luck x

I started packing mine at 28 weeks - putting in essentials as I bought them and now pretty much packed (at 31 weeks) just need to tuck in clothes for me last minute, although I like jerin's suggestion and might just do that instead.

These are my first babies, so I can't say whether this will turn out to the best plan or not, but the advice I thought most useful was to have two bags - one with essentials required for first 24 hours or so (stuff for labour and/or making myself comfortable after c-section; toiletries, towel, pads, nightie, dressing gown, slippers etc. plus 1 set clothes for babies) and then another one to leave in the car to be brought to post natal ward with more clothes for babies and more nighties, pads for me, plus nappies, cotton wool, muslins etc. i.e. stuff I will want if I'm in for a few days.

Due to the high likelihood of a catheter with c-section or epidural, you'll need nighties rather than PJs at least at first. I bought some cheap ones with buttons for breastfeeding as I'm more of a PJ girl and unlikely to use them again. Also bought one nice one for cheering up purposes!

Sorry, seem to have inadvertantly written an essay, hope it's helpful and not just a ramble...