When did you pack your hospital bags?

[YoungWoman94]

That's all really.. When did you pack your hospital bag for yourself and for baby?/ When do you think is the best time to pack it?

I've been told I can go into labour anytime.. had a check up yesterday and they said everything is fine. But they seem to think as soon as I reach 24 weeks (Now 22 weeks) things will go down hill and I'll probably go into labour before 30 weeks. If you was in my situation when would you pack a bag for yourself and baby?

In your situation i'd have an overnight bag ready for you now, basic toiletries, change of underwear & pj's, slippers. It can be grabbed easily and saves your DH trying to find the things you need or want. Put a list with the bag of other things you may need but use all the time (book to read, phone charger, camera etc).

If your baby arrived early then it would go into special care and i would assume your hospital would provide everything for baby until big enough to need clothes etc.

As the weeks go on and if theres no sign of baby then slowly start gathering together more bits that you would need.

Well, I think in your situation you need to look to the medical advice on possible pre-term labour and probably have bags packed as soon as you can (and things sorted at home so others can collect them for you as and when).

In a normal situation, think I was 36 weeks with DC1 and about 39 with DC2.

Craving thank you for replying. I'm not planning on packing babies bag until atleast 28 weeks, I'd be to afraid of Jinxing baby coming early. Baby would be so small and won't wear clothes if born at 24weeks so don't see the point in packing anything yet. I have saved websites onto a memory stick of premature websites which sell clothes and nappies if she comes early.

I guess I should pack a bag really soon as my next trip to hospital is in 2 weeks. It just makes it real! Do I just pack the basics?

Penguin Sorry cross posted! I was going to pack a few essentials for baby (first size) so nobody had to rush around when she got bigger but to scared to do it really, so thought I'd leave it for now.

I've been told the latest I will carry to is 36 weeks, but with my past experience and my cervical length not improving my consultant thinks I won't make it much further so the aim is 24weeks so Baby has a chance of survival and has steroid injection to help just incase. Think I'll pack my bag tomorrow

I was told I had a 50/50 chance of reaching 24 weeks when I was 18 weeks with DC2. I pretty much packed a hospital bag for me as soon as I knew just in case.

I ended up using it a few times when I was admitted overnight here and there, but ultimately she came at 35 weeks.

Like you I didn't want to jinx things (and figured baby would need very little pre 28 weeks too) and didn't pack the baby bag until around then. I put one or two "very early" baby clothes in - didn't buy any more than that because if she came early, we could buy more later anyway.

I'm on DC4 now and although my risks are nothing like what they were with DC2, I still have a greater risk of PTL than most people so I tend to get both done by 30 weeks. I'm in the process of doing mine now at 29 weeks!

Good luck - I hope you don't need either bag until long into the third trimester!

Fingers crossed that the bag is sitting there for a good 10+ weeks

Crispy I like hearing stories about people proving the Odds. My stepsister was the same, she was in hospital at 25 weeks with her waters leaking but by 28week the little hole closed up and she carried her baby to 41+ weeks.

But my cervix is only 1.2cm it went down from 2.4cm to 1.2cm in 2-3days. So I had to have a stitch put in which was meant to strengthen and lengthen my cervix. I'm not complaining because it's held her in for an extra 4+ weeks. But it's not improved so my Consultant thinks as she grows my cervix will weaken due to the strain

I might consider packing a set of first size babygrows, a blanket, hat and other few little bits and bobs incase so my partner doesn't have to worry if something goes wrong.

Why did they say you had a 50/50 chance at 24weeks if you don't mind me asking?

I would pack a bag for you in case you need to go in quickly so you don't have to search for stuff my dad was no impressed with going through all my stuff when I was admitted at 26 weeks with prem contractions in my lasts pregnancy. We made it to 41 weeks in the end.

Currently 24 weeks pregnant and will
Pack and overnight bag for me soon invade something similar happens it's just easier to be prepared.

There are lots of lists around of what you should include in your bag but the basics would be the following. I had an unplanned stay last week & while i had most things i needed there were a few things that would have made things more comfortable so have now added these to my bag (on this list too).

Pj's or nightie
Change of underwear
Maternity pads
Basic Toiletries - toothbrush, paste, moisturiser, hairbrush, shampoo & conditioner, hair bobble, deoderant.
Pen & notepad (for when you cant sleep & need to remember something in the morning).
Slippers & lightweight dressing gown (for modesty when walking around)
Lip balm
Handcream
Water bottle with sports cap
Chocolate or sweets. Possibly an oaty bar or pack of dried fruit to keep you going between hospital meals
Phone charger
Small amount of change (less than £5) in case u need something from shop/vending machine
A book or pack of cards - something to distract you for a while
Camera

I think thats it in the way of basics. Most hospital wards are boiling hot so you wont need lots. Anything else can be brought in as needed.