When did you start packing your hospital bag?

[MummyLE]

I'm heading towards 30 weeks and my pregnancy apps are all recommending that I start thinking about packing my hospital bag for labour but I've not even thought about it!

What week did you start packing yours and what did you include? FTM so no idea where to start!

Thank you

I’m FTM as well, 33 weeks and I started mine about 2 weeks ago. Just keep adding to it what I think I will need. It’s pretty much done now.

I’m 30 +5 weeks and have started the baby’s bag and my hospital bag and am adding to it as I go along. Baby’s bag is done. Mine’s just about done I think, except for the stuff I will add at the last minute such as phone and charger. I looked at a few YouTube vids and got ideas for what to include as well as from here. The one bag I have not sorted is my husband’s ... that’s up to him!

I'm 29 weeks and just packed my bag this weekend, mainly because a friend who is also 29 weeks was rushed in to hospital for a few days and didn't have anything prepared.

For the baby you want a few outfits, muslins, a swaddling blanket, hat, mits, and car seat.

For you: night gown, slippers, flip flops for shower, big knickers, maternity pads, nipple cream, lip balm, hair bobbles, comfy clothes, phone charger, a spare pillow if you want, maternity notes, birth plan, wash stuff, tooth brush.

Maybe a book or something. I was in for 4 days with my first and it can get a bit boring.

Oh and don't forget snacks!

Sorry... you also asked what to include. In baby’s bag are:

8 disposable nappies (although we will use cloth once home)
Nappy bags
Baby powder
Baby bum cream
Baby wipes
3 vests
3 newborn sleepsuits with built in mittens
3 0-3 month sleepsuits /built in anti scratch mittens
Two hats
White cardigan 0-3 months
Baby blanket
Muslin swaddle (x2)
Newborn socks x3
Newborn knitted booties

My bag (so far):
3 nursing nightdresses
(Will add dressing gown and slippers later)
Flip flops
Soft socks (x2)
Maternity pads
Maternity perineal ice pack pads (squeeze to activate)
Disposable knickers
Breast pads
Dry shampoo
Hair ties

Will add: maternity/feeding pillow, iPad, phone, chargers, foundation, hairbrush, toothpaste etc.
First-time mum so this may change!

I didn't!!
I thought i had loads of time.
Dh had to nip to Tesco to get everything about an hour after baby arrived!!!

@Lofu snacks! Good call.... adds to list

I'm 32+4 and haven't started on it yet 😬 think I need to start putting something together soon!

Mine was packed from week 36.

I didn't want any surprises. I was a long drive from the hospital and I had no intention of either a home birth or having him in a layby.

Take thin pjs and a thin robe. Hospitals are hotter than hell.

Headphones to cancel out noisy neighbours in the maternity ward.
Plenty of baby wipes & moisturiser
Kindle or books, music, phone charger. I was there for four days.

I made a list around 35 wks and packed at 37 wks

Don't do what I did, pack it while on the phone to maternity because my waters went at 36weeks. I was more prepared with dc2 and packed it at around 34 weeks.

Around 35wk.
Earliest I've delivered was 38wk with twins via elcs.

A tip I found really helpful from on here was to get some of the bigger zip lock food bags and in each put nappy, vest, baby grow, so that each time I changed baby in hospital I could just grab one.. It took up a lot less space in bag too (I packed 7 which sounds excessive but we ended up in for 5 days so actually needed more bringing)

I packed a small pack of newborn nappies, 8 pre made aptimal bottles with teats
Water Wipes and Nappy Sacks

Muslins

Blanket
Hat
Cardigan

With car seat in car had an additional blanket ready for coming home

For myself I had

2 Nightshirts for Labour
2 Thin Pyjamas
Thin Dressing Gown (if wanted)
2 Packs of BIG pants
Some slide on slippers/flip flops
Maternity Pads
Nipple Pads
Toiletries, small hair brush and bobble
Toothbrush and Paste
Deoderant
Headphones
Phone Charger
Lip Balm, Face Spray
Change for Vending Machine/Car Park
Comfortable leggings and top for coming home

Personal preference I added water, a can of red bull for afterwards, snacks,

I packed at 30 weeks as was 5 weeks early with DS1 and went in at 38 weeks with DS2

Thanks everyone, these are so helpful! I didn't realise I'd need so much - definitely glad I asked!

As for the snacks and books - good shout!

I didn't.

I had bought most things at 35 weeks, with the plan to pack (and add to) after I went on maternity leave at 36+2.

Instead I was admitted to hospital at 36+1 (😭), induced at 37 weeks and gave birth at 37+1. Went home at 37+3. My husband had to pack everything for me. And since he isn't me, he got it wrong. Multiple times. Doesn't matter how explicit my instructions were, he still managed to get it wrong. Never again will I be caught out like that. If there ever is a next time, I'm packing it at the start of the third trimester.

Some good lists already. My addition is to bring your own pillow. And all the snacks. Other than the post labour tea and toast, I hadn't eaten for nearly 36 hours. I was ravenous by the time I got to the post natal ward. Those snacks were vital.

Random bits of advice I've recieved speak to labour ward/midwife to see what hospital supply to cut out excess, for example when u was with Royal Hampshire they provide formula but MK don't apparently. Some provide big towels some little ones and some none.

Think separate bags, pre labour, labour, after baby and baby so everything is nice and organised and again you don't have excess as you can send each bag home with partner when done with it.
I'm having elcs this time so have a slightly different list so to speak but worth looking at c section lists just in case and just seeing if they is anything you can put in carrier to stay at home but can be brought in just in case ie really big pants to avoid section scar lol.
There are really good lists on Google as well.

Good luck xx

Totally forgot to say starting packing both times around 34 ish weeks but probably completed about 37 on first, still adding bits to this one. As looking at growth scan to see size of clothes, I'm going to pack newborn size with 3 x spare outfits (0-3) on side in nursery in case he is bigger than we think.

I didn’t pack one either. I did get some pads and put them in the bathroom cupboard with some knickers so I could easily reach them from the loo. Without having to waddle around to the bedroom getting fresh pants.

I didn’t actually need a bag so glad I didn’t pack one or buy special things.

I’m 36+4 and my bag is half packed.

I started with a list at 30 weeks and each week added bits to it. I've literally just fully completed the bag and I'm 38 weeks, like others have said though I know someone who went into labour at 28 weeks and another at 32. So better to be organised.

This thread is really useful so thanks OP for starting it.

Might be a stupid question but when people say 'bags' what are you all taking?

Eg large rucksacks, holdall or cabin size suitcase etc? And is there a limit to how many bags you can take, as some of you are saying separate bags for yourself and baby etc. I have visions of rocking up looking like I've packed for a month of travelling while everyone else has a small holdall 😂

I've had mine packed since 22 weeks, but my last baby was born at 30 weeks so I wanted to be prepared.

Don't forget a towel. Im having my 3rd baby and I've forgotten a towel every time, so I've made sure to pack one this time. Hospital towels are tiny where I am.

I've packed some protein bars too. Hospital food makes me want to cry into my massive knickers.

I bought a battery pack for my phone too. I've got a charger, but sometimes the sockets are far away and I'm going to want my phone a lot because of the no visitors rule.

Good luck!

@luckyelephant1 im taking a cabin sized suitcase, but im having a C section and im likely to be in a few days.

Even if youre going to be in an out I find suitcase or bags on wheels so much easier though.

Thanks everyone!

@Luckyelephant1 I asked my sister what she took last year and she took a hand luggage bag for both her and baby. Although she did say she took her make up. Don't think I'll be quite as dedicated to making sure I look good!!

I started at 23-24 weeks but a month later I haven’t done much more to it. I just got some pijamas and night shirts.