So when do you pack your hospital bag?

[CrazyChristmasLady]

I am 33 weeks today. Can't remember when I packed my bag last time, although I know it wasn't this early. I do know that as DS was 10 days early I hadn't done any cooking and freezing like I had planned and I definitely need to do that this time.

Been having strong BH since 20 weeks and last night had a massive 'real' contraction but just the one.

How soon is too soon to pack your bag? When, on average, do you bother to do it? I also need to get a bag for DS ready too in case he goes to my nans, but I wanted to get Christmas out of the way before I do any of this. I have my lists of what I need to take etc but I'm actually worrying more about having another baby so I'm not in a rush to do it.

Couldn't wait for DS to arrive but now I am feeling 'guilty' and have decided that I am quite happy with 1 child (this baby was very much planned btw, having pre baby jitters).

I have had mine packed since 34 weeks as last time i had baby at 37 weeks and my waters broke and no bag packed. I am now 40+1 and no sign of baby! maybe i should unpack my bag lol
I would say by 36 weeks is best.

I'm 34 weeks and going to do mine 'after Christmas'...

I packed an 'emergency' labour bag last week at 30 weeks, there is a history of preterm labour in my family due to JHMS. It's made me feel a whole lot better, silly really as the baby clothes won't even fit if I do go into labour early!! But I have things like, black nightie, spare knickers, socks, camera, phone charger, tooth brushes & paste, maternity pads, breast pads, babygros and soft blanket.

I will be packing another post labour bag at around 36 weeks, which will include spare clothes for me and OH (since he will live at hospital with us), more nappies etc etc and adding things like snacks, sports drink bottle, iPod to the current 'emergency' bag, things that in an emergency I doubt I'll really be needing or wanting!

Last time I did it while waiting for the taxi taking me to hospital (waters broke at 38+3), this time I'm hoping for an ELCS and will pack in time for that.

I will be 36wks on Christmas Day. Went out today and bought, what I hope is, everything for my hospital bag. What a lot of mystery items! It's not packed yet but at least all the bits are in the house and can be thrown into a bag if there is an emergency over Christmas weeknd. Otherwise I will put it all in a bag early next week.

Well, as my friend has just had her baby very unexpectedly at 36 weeks, then I'm going to say, before that!

D

Thanks. I'll think about more in a few weeks then.

Reality is starting to dawn on me I think!

I think at about 37/38 weeks with past two DDs, but had a set of regular BHs about 3 weeks back and packed that night!! (I'm 36 weeks now btw)

My friends gave birth at 32 weeks so made me promise to pack my bag before then. Which I did.

I packed really late with DS but then he wasnt born until 42+1 (he didnt want to budge). This time I'm already thinking about my hospital bag and I'm only 28 weeks. I guess I will be all packed by about 35 weeks.

37 weeks here - and that is only beacuse we are heading away for a few days and we didn't want to get stuck.

First DC - 12 weeks! Second DC - 41 weeks +2 and even then it wasnt much more than PJs for me and baby and a twin pack of wipes!!

Good luck with number two

DD arrived at 33wks and I hadn't packed anything! I will be packing mine around 28wks this time!
I like the idea of chucking a few things into an "emergency" bag... think I might get that together after Christmas!

First time around I packed pretty early because of the whole novelty, so around 25 weeks. This time around I started about 30 weeks in case baby should come early. I have had a feeling that this baby is going to come earlier then expected and I have no idea why so I want to be prepared, just in case.

DC3....

I bought stuff from 34 weeks and threw it into a corner in the baby's room, thinking I'd pack after I finished work.

Finished work on a thursday (39 weeks) so thought I'd pack it over the weekend. Of course went into labour on the friday night so ended up packing it between contractions

[blush}

But actually it was ok, because I have several hours between when I knew I was in labour to when we left the house (although less than with 1st child).