When did you pack your bag?

[sachabloom]

Hey everyone

I'm 22 weeks now and I am guessing much too early to be thinking about this but signed off work so a lot of spare time for the mind to wonder!

When did you pack your bag for the hospital and does anyone have any tips on what to take that I won't find online?

Thanks 😃

There’s lots of lists available and when I found one with sooooo many things on I gave up (I’ve got short hair and shampoo and conditioner threw me over the edge!) I went on my trust website who said you don’t need as much as all the lists that try to sell you things and gave a list that i have printed.

That said I’m 34 weeks and I’ve not started yet

I made myself a list early on... to make myself feel organised, prepared.. but probably only packed it as went on mat leave.... 38 weeks or so.... i was late.....so it sat there for nearly a month!
with my second I got bag out and threw a few items in at 38 weeks with start of a list, thinking loads of time to spare. 24 hours later my waters broke & I was throwing things in bag between contractions so could leave for hospital. surprisingly the bag had everything we really needed.

I packed mine when I was 37 weeks. I took a small towel, hair band and clip to keep my fringe of my face, shower gel, a few pairs of knickers, a nightie, 2 baby outfits, nappies, cotton wool, baby blanket, plenty of maternity pads! A few bottles of water, cereal bars, my ipad, phone and chargers.x

Definitely take some snacks especially for after the birth ! I barely slept a wink and I was so starving but it was the middle of the night 🙈 A little hand held fan if you can get one is helpful if it's a hot day especially! Flip flops for having a shower after if it's a wet room type thing

I've just started packing mine now at 34 weeks.

First pregnancy I hadn't finished packing it when I went into labour (39 weeks) so I'm trying to avoid the same mistake again and have the basics packed!!

Think we had ours packed at around 32 weeks.

I used the list off babycentre I think :)

I'm in the process of packing mine now or at least, everything is dumped on the bed ready to go in the bag at some point.

So far I have (for me);

• 3 nighties (2 of the same to labour in and one big, front buttoned shirt one for skin to skin/breastfeeding afterwards)
• A pack of massive black cotton knickers
• Huge sanitary pads
• Breast pads
• Lanisoh nipple cream
• A pair of flip flop slippers
• Towel & flannel
• Wash bag (ready to be filled with some little bottles of shampoo/conditioner/shower gel)
• Hair ties
• Isotonic drinks and plenty of snacks
• Phone charger

For baby;

• Two or three sleepsuits (one in small size, one in next size up)
• Blanket
• Padded pramsuit
• Cotton wool balls
• A couple of little bottles of ready made formula

We were recommended to start packing and keeping notes with the bag with about 6 weeks to go. I'm 36 weeks on Friday.

Between contractions 😂😂 I am not an organised person !!

I am 29 weeks and have started putting a few things away. My last baby was born at 32 weeks so I am trying to be organised!

I did mine on Sunday... I’m 38 weeks.

First time, around 32 weeks, second time, when I was in labour! I learned from the first time you don't need most of what you take, plus second time was in USA and everything apart from going home outfit and nappy was provided (well my insurance was billed handsomely for it I should say!) today I would suggest buying a power bank and charging it, plus buy spare phone lead for it - didn't have a mobile then. Check hospital policy, they differ but even in the U.K. they gave me a gown for giving birth - why wreck your own clothes???

Oh and it’s my third and I’ve never taken anywhere near as much stuff as the online lists! I figured I could always direct DH towards extra stuff if I needed to stay in longer (although he knows where my underwear drawer/clothes/the baby clothes are anyway)

When my waters broke.... yep, oops on my part. To be fair, I had everything in bags in the room with my bag, just not packed.

That was only 12 days before my due date so I dropped the ball on that. Didn't realise how hard it would be to do that while leaking.

Between contractions and as a result, there wasn't much of any use in the bags.

With my first, at 38 weeks, everything neatly folded and checklisted.

With my second, shoved a nightdress and toothbrush in a bag, as my friend arrived to take me to hospital. 36 weeks, and didn't even have a nappy in the house. To be fair, I'd seen the consultant four hours earlier and he laughed when I said I felt a bit weird and twingey.

I'd have it packed by 36 weeks just in case.

I'm 34 weeks and just packing mine now. Tbf it's like packing an overnight bag. I've bought hygiene essentials such as a toothbrush/toothpaste, maternity pads, breast pads. Purely because I don't wanna be rushing off to the hospital like "DONT FORGET THE TOOTHBRUSH" because OH will forget it anyway. Apart from that, baby's got his stuff packed and ready like a normal changing bag, and I've got some new PJs. Because I felt like treating myself. Don't stress!

Packed a bag the night before I was being induced at 38 weeks.

Found a few lists on Pinterest.

Between contractions after my waters had broken... I don't recommend it although I only forgot toothpaste!

I would recommend getting lots of those freezer ziplock bags and packing things in them, I seemed to spend ages rummaging through my case and it was so much easier having things grouped together.

Also a book/magazine in case you are in for longer than expected. I was in for 5 days in the end after Emergency Section and infection and read a couple of books and magazines.

Midwife told me off for not having looked into it at 24 weeks 😂 got it packed by 30 weeks which was lucky as ended up in hospital the next day until DD was delivered at 33 weeks 🙈

24 weeks for the last one but DD2 was a thirty weeker. DS came at 28 weeks.

No risks or history I would probably say 30 weeks to be on the safe side but I'm probably over cautious.

30 weeks last time- a friend I shared my due date with was admitted with pre-eclampsia and delivered at 27 weeks unexpectedly which scared the crap out of me.

I’m 27 weeks now and I’ll probably start getting stuff together in the next few weeks just so I can forget about it and get it off the to-do list!

Oh my goodness you are all so organised. When I finished work at 37 weeks. And he was 1 week overdue. Probably be similar this time.

I never did pack one.