When to pack hospital bag?

[TokenGinger]

I'm only 28 weeks pregnant, but people keep saying I should have already packed my hospital bag!

Should I?! 😳

When did you pack yours?

I'm 26+4 and haven't got it packed yet, but having been looking at lists of what to pack and slowly buying things I don't already have (nursing stuff and so on), plus I know in my head what bag I'll use, what pyjamas I'll take, what snacks I might have etc. so its in my head but I wont pack it until 34+ weeks probably.
Having said that I do live about 400m from the entrance to the maternity unit at the hospital so if I were to go in without it properly packed, it would take my OH about 2 minutes to go and get anything I'd forgotten, so I'm pretty relaxed about it.

I'm 39 weeks and mine isn't 100% ready yet. I figure when contractions start I'll have time to put the last few items in before I have to go to the hospital. Maybe I'm being stupid though.

I started writing out lists of what I would pack at about 30 weeks, then slowly packed and repacked it from then. Obv some things like phone charger etc need to be packed last minute.

My bag was packed at 32 weeks, bought toiletries and new toothbrush so i wouldn't have any last minute packing, daughter was born at 34 weeks.

I packed mine at 33+5 and my waters broke about 3hrs later!

I did mine around 35 weeks was induced unexpectedly last minute at 37+6 and stayed 2 nights never know what might happen worth doing it so it’s out of the way and ready to grab!

3 hours later! Oh gosh 🙈

I think I'll give it a few more weeks looking at these replies. If I have night clothes sitting in a bag for 12 weeks, I'll want to wash them to freshen up again before he arrives anyway 😂

Packed mine at around 30-32 weeks. Never went into early labour so it was just sat there pointlessly taking up space but made me feel better about things .

Mine has been packed since 24 weeks but that's because Ds arrived at 29 weeks complete without warning and I was NOT prepared! I would get packed soon.

I didn't pack mine until I was 4 days overdue because I'd convinced myself he'd be really late, he was but still what an utterly stupid thing to do . Better organised than not. Even if you make a start now and have a deadline for it to be finished by.

I had mine packed at 35 weeks. In my car en route to our last week end away.
ONE SPOT of blood later I was en route to hospital and 4 hours from an emcs.

Was more miffed missed a holiday than having surgery!!
Dread to think if dh had been commissioned home to pack a bag...

Get organised op!

The thought of packing my hospital bag makes me so excited. I'm a day shy of 12 weeks so a long way off yet but I'm usually a do it early or do it late type of person. DH is super organised so we'll probably do it early but don't know when yet so this is interesting.

DC1 bag packed at 39weeks after midwife noticed tightenings and advised me to be ready! Woke up at 2am next day in labour.

DC2 bag packed at 38 weeks after ooked in for induction at 39 weeks.

DT's bag packed at 35 weeks when the reality hit that they could arrive any day. Born at 37+2.

I operate a just in time approach and have been lucky not to be caught out. I did forget to pack any muslin squares or bibs for the DT's though!!

Okay, I think I'm definitely treating myself to a new overnight bag this week and getting myself organised! Xx

35 & 3 & did mine today after reading this thread.

We started making a pile and lists around 28/29 weeks as a close friend had her baby at 28 weeks. However didn't actually pack it until 35+6 and then refined it in the afternoon of 36+6 which was just as well as by the evening the contractions had fully started and he was born 9 hours later. We were only at the hospital for 3 hours before he was born so we didn't actually use most of the things we packed for the labour part as we weren't there long enough although did use lots of the essential oils, playlists etc at home for the first couple of hours.

We did use straws, a drinks bottle, LOTS of lucozade and chocolate though!!

Seriously it's better to have them done and out of the way! I went for my appointment at 38+5 and was sent straight to maternity ward my partner got the phone call to work and had to pick up the bags on the way! I can't imagine what it would have been like if he was left to pack them! My little girl is now 12 days old! :)

35/40 here and not packed BUT I do have everything I need to pack and all baby clothes etc washed so it wouldn’t be difficult for OH to throw stuff together.

I was going to pack mine on the Saturday I was exactly 32 weeks. DS came at 31+6, the Friday night before, close to midnight. He's never let me be prepared. So yes, I'd get packing. Would've loved my things at the hospital.

I'm 32+2 and not packed yet. Plan to pack this weekend x

Packed mine at about 38 weeks but ended up nearly reaching 40 before going into labour. I ended up having to get to hospital v quickly (found meconium in waters) which meant there was no chance to add in the 'very last minute' things like phone chargers. It didn't matter as all we cared about was that the baby came out ok (he did).

We were so glad we had the bag ready to grab though. There was no time to think anything through.

I'm near enough 27 weeks and mine is mostly done...I'm not anxious as such but do worry if I feel I've not controlled something that's in my power (but I don't worry about stuff out of my control 🤷‍♀️). If I had to go in tomorrow I think I'd manage on what I've got ready but it's definitely not the finished, might be in for a few days article. But it's done enough to set my mind at rest, for now!

I had a bag packed from around 26-8 weeks but at first it was just a hospital bag mainly for me in case I needed to go in and stay for any reason. I had an ELCS so I had clothes and knickers and toothbrush/ wash bag with all the stuff I'd want with a baby set thrown in. From about 32 weeks I added a lot more baby clothes, nappies, wipes and the formula etc (I ff).
I still packed and unpacked it 20 times but had something ready to go just in case. I was very anxious about having to be in hospital though so wanted stuff I'd chosen and would need even if I was just in for monitoring etc.

2 weeks before.

I packed mine today too at 35 weeks though it’s pretty basic stuff. Might try and put some nice bits in too but at least I have some clean pants and a toothbrush. Also did the nappy/clothes bag for baby and a little bag for my 3 year old as she’ll be going to my parents.