When are you meant to have your hospital bag ready?

[Sastra]

Just that really!

Don't know the official answer. However SIL was recently "told off" for not having hers done yet at 33 weeks! which seemed a bit early to me but then she was born early herself so maybe it's just because of that.

I've started getting mine together at 36 weeks

Phew. I'm 33 weeks and I've not even got a bag, let alone got it packed. I thought it felt a bit early really. Start mat leave next week so I'll probably do it after that when I'm bored out of my mind

I don't have mine done and I'm 34 weeks with no 2. Think by 36 you really should have it done, but at the end of the day, none of us really live too far from shops, although if you were taken in early it might mean replying on your partner to fetch stuff for you, which may or may not be a disaster

35 weeks seems reasonable to me. If you give birth earlier than that then you will have other things on your mind than whether you have the right nightie or not but if you leave it past 37 weeks then you could give birth any day and you would probably want to be feeling prepared knowing everything was ready to go.

Well that's the thing - if she comes at 33 weeks then nothing in it will fit her anyway!

I think I did mine really early, maybe 30 weeks because I was moving house at 37 weeks and packing up boxes etc. So I thought to just do it and get it done and not have to worry too much about it later on whilst I had other house matters to stress about! I was also really excited with all the breast pads and maternity towels (yes v. sad!) and of course baby clothes and muslins and nappies! This time I'll probably be really unprepared, maybe pack an emergency transfer bag whilst I'm in labour as I'm having a home birth - sound feasible????!

Some women never bother, usually those planning a home birth. I packed both of my bags at 26w, and both DC were late.

I am 38 weeks, not done it. Guess I better had. I am just convinced I'll be late. I am meant to be working for 2 more weeks so I better had be!

last time i left mine until 36 weeks (when the book said i should do it!) which happened to be the day after i had an EMCS! i wish i'd done it sooner because i ended up staying on for a week and DH kept having to pick stuff up for me. this time i'm packing mine tonight (33 weeks) because i have a scan tomorrow and i at least want to feel a bit prepared just in case!

I'm planning a home birth, but will still be packing a hospital bag next week at about 33 weeks. If I get taken in early, it will be better to have a few home comforts with me - some stuff for the baby, pyjamas I feel comfortable in, emergency flapjack and some books I can read to take my mind off things.

My sister had her first baby at 35 weeks and had not packed a bag. She described having to go to the loo with an open hospital gown flapping around her bum. Not something I want to do...

if she comes at 33 weeks then nothing in it will fit her anyway

This is very true - but what I am doing is taking just one little outfit suitable for a premature baby to come home in if necessary (they don't need clothes in the hospital as it is always so hot in there). If I don't need the premature baby clothes, I will give them to the hospital for somebody else to use.

I'm 33weeks and hubby is pestering me to do it now. Might try and get it done before weekend as we are going away and it would make sense to have it with us just in case.
My mam has been on my case since 28 weeks to get it done

Im planning on packing my bag this week (just an emergency one) then adding over the next few weeks. The babies I was planning on packing at 36 to 37 weeks as if I gave birth now (32+6) he would be tiny and need to stay in. Plus I've bought no tiny baby stuff so would need Mum to get something!!

I'm 39 weeks tomorrow and haven't packed mine. I'm planning a home birth, but don't have all my stuff together I'm daring my baby to come early before everything is ready

My mw told me to start getting things at about 32/33 weeks and have it packed for about 35/36 weeks. As it was I needed a bag for overnight (episodes of spotting followed by hospital visits) from about 34 weeks so mines been done since then. 38+3 today and no sign of LO showing herself yet.

I packed 2 at about 33 weeks (one for me, one for baby). Then I went off that idea so this weekend I repacked (one main one, one to stay in the car in case I stay in longer than a night).

I think pack as early as you feel like. If you have a useful OH, leaving a list out and pack later would do.

Whenever you feel the need. I'm 32 weeks and I think I'll get mine ready on the weekend. It will probably lay unused for 2 months but it will give me peace of mind.

Unless you labour really fast, there is plenty of time to get the bag prepared once labour starts. Remember you're only supposed to go to hospital in "stablished labour", which gives you a good few hours at home.

Did mine when my waters broke at 39 weeks .......... I don't particularly recommend it as there was stuff I had to go out and shop for. 30 weeks now and will probably get around to it at 35 weeks this time.

It's definitely worth getting the basics together that you won't be using and having a list for all the random stuff that you need to chuck in like phone chargers/reading glasses etc.