When to pack hospital bag?

[ER1992]

Just wondered when you all packed your hospital bags? I'm only 24 weeks pregnant but currently on annual leave for 2 weeks so wondering if I should start sorting it beings I have the time or wait a few more weeks.
Also a list of necessities would be great!

I’m 30 weeks and have started buying things for my bag this week. If it makes you feel better, do it. My colleagues had their babies at 29 & 32 wks so you never know when you’ll need it. The only bits you may want to wait to pack are the pjs, knickers and clothes for you as you might outgrow them by time you come to use the bag. I had a growth spurt at 28 wks and he’s still growing.

There are some great threads on here with ideas of things to pack but here are some suggestions:

Hand held fan
Lip balm (gas and aid dries you out)
Cheap nightie for birth
Nicer pjs for after
Dressing gown
Slippers/ flip flops
Charger
Toiletries & brush, bobbles, face wipes
Cheap big knickers
Ear plugs (if you get moved to busy ward)
Drinks bottle with bendy straw as you’ll be lying down
Snacks, glucose tablets for energy
Breast pads
Nipple cream
Thick socks (apparently some women get cold feet in labour)
Money
Aerosol water face mist
Towel (some hospitals don’t supply)

For the baby:
Vests x5
Sleepsuits x5
Scratchmits
Hat
Blanket
Wipes
Nappies
Dummy
Nappy sacks
Changing bag
Car seat
Nappy cream
Pramsuit/going home outfit
If not breastfeeding you’ll need to take your own milk powder etc as some hospitals don’t supply

If you’re partner is attending they’ll need:
Money
Snacks
Drinks
Toiletries
Change of clothes
Top that opens in front if they want to do skin to skin with baby too
Charger

I’ve read that it can be worth having 2 separate bags, one for the labour and one for after the baby comes. You can get your birth partner to just swap the bags over that way. Someone also mentioned packing a bag with more clothes to leave at home in case you have to stay in hospital. That way someone can just grab it rather than trying to find clothes that fit for you.

Good luck on your packing!

I'm 29 weeks and started weeks ago coz I am massively uncomfortable already and I know I won't want to do it later. I would add to the list to take some paracetamol and ibuprofen with you as hospitals can be slow at handing them out.

Last time I left extra stuff in the boot of the car rather than at home so DH could pop out and get it quickly.

Good luck!

Hi there, im 24 weeks and I've nearly finished sorting mine out, its not too early to start as long as you feel comfortable doing it now. I suffer with anxiety so i like to feel prepared, i also have three other children so with two birthdays within weeks of due date and new school things it felt a bit overwhelming so I've been buying for quite a while. I'm not going to lie it doesn't matter when you pack it, you will still check it a million times haha x

I'd say as soon as possible. I left it too late and packed mine whilst in labour at 36 weeks.........

I packed mine at 37 weeks. Had no problems at all.
I'm very superstitious and didn't want anything in the house until as late as possible (even then we only had what we needed to take to the hospital. Other things stayed at mums until we were home with the baby.

I started at 30 what I would say is always keep it when completed in the car. I foolishly at my 37 week appointment to measure bump luckily at the hospital forgot to put bag in just in case as was just nipping there at midday. Partner with me bag at home. I was 6cm at examination and baby born 4pm partner drove manically got back fine but was scary