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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

When should I pack my hospital bag?

26 replies

GavisconGirl · 17/06/2010 11:31

Am 33 weeks today. I'm thinking about leaving it till I'm on maternity leave, which will be in two weeks. I haven't got anything stuff together or even got a list together yet! I also haven't got any baby clothes, although I plan to order them on-line once I'm on maternity.

Any advice?

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

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KSal · 17/06/2010 12:30

I would get a list sorted this week and pack at least a minimal bag. Order a few basic baby gros and a little hat from mothercare or something so you have something to put baby in. and get some newborn nappies.

you can always review it and add to it once you are on maternity leave...

I say all this because i had only been on maternity leave for two days when my baby came at 36 weeks... not all first babies are late! i would have been really stuck without a bag - i delivered quickly and my trousers were soaked on the way to hospital. I would have no clothes for myself or baby, no nappies etc. I had only packed my bag a few days before...

nikkisbump · 17/06/2010 14:20

I packed a bag for me and a bag for baby at about 34 weeks, but just repacked and sorted through everything again yesterday (am 38+3) partly because I'm a bit bored, and partly because I had missed half of the stuff out without realising!

mistressploppy · 17/06/2010 14:22

Get stuff ready now....DS was a month early and came so quickly that I delivered in my work clothes! DH had to grab stuff for me and he was clueless, bless him. No baby clothes so poor ds spent his first few hours just in blankets and then a pink babygro that one of the other mums lent us!

Original poster

GavisconGirl · 17/06/2010 14:39

Thanks for the advice. I will try to get at least a minimal bag packed this week. I'm normally obsessed with getting things done far in advance and am trying to be a bit more relaxed about things than usual and not get stressed and worried about doing everything miles in advance, but I was wondering if in this case, really I should be getting organised!

OP posts:

japhrimel · 17/06/2010 15:10

Remember that the baby clothes need to be washed before use, so you can't just stick them straight in the bag when they arrive.

Original poster

GavisconGirl · 17/06/2010 16:35

Good point japhrimel - thanks

OP posts:

Jacksmybaby · 17/06/2010 16:57

DS spent his first few hours of life in a hospital gown matching mine! He was born at 35 weeks and although I did actually have a bag packed (and had done since 29 wks!), I had to get myself to the hosp on my own in rather a panic and didn't take it with me!

The moral of my story is twofold:

1)It's not a disaster if you end up giving birth without having a hospital bag with you - you will manage fine, so don't stress unduly about not having done it yet.

But on the other hand I would do it soon. Pack a separate, small "emergency labour" bag, with just a couple of essential things in it (few nappies, couple of vests/sleepsuits and a change of clothes for you). I had a massive holdall which was one of the reasons I didn't/couldn't carry it with me to hospital (that and the fact that I was generally panicking and not even sure I was in labour but that's another story ).

Original poster

GavisconGirl · 17/06/2010 17:01

That's a really good idea Jacksmybaby! I have been worrying about what happens if I have to go in on my own as my husband works over an hour away and my back is not up to me carrying much at all.

OP posts:

Jacksmybaby · 17/06/2010 17:07

Thanks!

Just thought - I would also add a few maternity pads into the emergency bag. And some cash for either taxi or parking.

KnitterNotTwitter · 17/06/2010 17:11

And keep your maternity notes in the bag too so you can just pick up one thing and GO!!!

MtnBikeChick · 17/06/2010 19:46

Just a thought but I reckon that if it is a bit of an emergency last minute thing, it probably isn't the end of the world if the new baby wears a baby gro that has come out of a packet and not been washed first. So if your husband or mum/sister etc had to nip to mothercare or JL and pick up a packet of sleepsuits if wouldn't be fatal!!! People give birth in third world countries and war zones, after all - where washing baby clothes probably isn't top of the list!!!

sawyerKaiandmummy · 08/07/2010 18:51

Hi, you can buy pre packed hospital bags from here and then all you need is your clothes...
www.mumma-and-bubba-bags.co.uk. Quite a few netmums have bought them recently.

crumpetsolo · 08/07/2010 19:50

Pack now! I packed mine ridiculously early at 28 weeks but was bloody glad I had when I went into labour at 33 weeks 300 miles away from home, and could just ask my parents in law to collect the bag that was waiting under the bed rather than having them rummage through my knicker drawer to pack a bag for me.

flower1988 · 08/07/2010 21:46

We've just done ours at 30 weeks. Ridiculously early! But the OH is a worrier and now feels much better that it's done.

I was going to ask this the other day, does anyone have any tips on good things? Or things that really helped to put in hospital bags? x

GiraffeYoga · 08/07/2010 22:00

do an advanced search on what to put in a hospital bag. There have been loads on here and some have got brilliant lists.

good luck ladies!

Dysgu · 08/07/2010 22:12

I am another one who agrees that you should at least put the basics together now!

DD1 arrived at 32 weeks - no reason but too quickly to stop it hsppening - and no bag was packed. I was not on maternity leave but luckily it was a Sunday so DP was home.

We should have learned from that...

DD2 arrived at 35 weeks - again, no reason as above - and we still hadn't packed the bag! We were so sure it wouldn't happen again! This time DP was at work - had a ferry to catch to get home.

Pack soon - but don't worry if it all happens before you've got it sorted. I turned up with nothing (but a towel!) on the first occasion and it was fine! DP went home later to get some stuff but needed to be told where to find it, had to make several trips to Boots etc.

blondieminx · 08/07/2010 23:46

I will recycle my top tips (gathered from mumsnet late last year before dd arrived)

pack some mini bags within your labour bag - one for your dp/dh of snacks and baby clothes to put on the baby immediately he/she is born, and another for just after you've given birth (extra nice smellies for your shower, big pants in 2 sizes larger than you normally wear with maternity pads and some clean ironed pj's and with a top which will accomodate breastfeeding if that's what you're planning to do), and another one for one the ward in case they keep you in. Getting organised now will save you or Daddy searching for something one handed, at 3am!

a couple of sports cap bottles of lucozade while you're labouring (can be glugged at any angle!)

ARNICA tablets. Start taking them as soon as you get your cup of tea after the birth!

japhrimel · 09/07/2010 10:39

If you're taking Arnica, make sure it contains active ingredients of Arnica (unlike homeopathic Arnica which probably won't contain a single molecule of actual Arnica!).

I'm planning a home birth but will be packing an emergency bag of what I think I'll need for labour and the 1st 24 hours in case the home birth doesn't happen, but so I don't have to take a huge bag in. I'll then have a pile of extras for DH to bring in later if needed.

One tip I saw that I'll definitely make use of is have your DH help with actually packing the bag so they know where everything is - I've heard a few stories of the men not being able to find things and as my DH sometimes can't find his keys when they're right in front of him, that'd be him!

MrsC2010 · 09/07/2010 12:40

I'm half packed (at 37 weeks). I have pretty much all the stuff (bar snacks etc) in the room, kind of on top of my bag if not in it! I must finish it and get sorted this weekend.

parkj83 · 09/07/2010 13:07

I've been thinking about doing the same japhrimel thanks for the tip

I've started getting little bits and pieces for at home, but yes, I may now put together an emergency bag, just in case!

I have to say though, DH would find it - it's usually me who can't see my keys under my nose! lol

JamieJay · 09/07/2010 13:16

Well I'm 37 weeks and haven't packed mine if that makes anyone else feel better about being disorganised!!

I think I have everything I need to put in it spread across the house, just need to bring it all together and get my overnight bag back from the inlaws!!

pinkpeony · 09/07/2010 15:48

My waters broke at 38+1 and I packed my bag that evening (DS born the next day)... Had prepared a list before though so didn't have to do too much thinking. With DC1 you will probably have time to pack once first signs of labour start. But would highly recommend having a list ready.

Feliena · 09/07/2010 20:01

im pritty much sorted apart from going home outfit for me and snacks - ridicoulasly early at 29 weeks but its just for peace of mind - also decided that after attempting to fit things in sensible sized hodals that it just wasnt practical and decided to take my medium sized suitcase thats on wheels so if im on my own i should manage to wheel it around although i am a little worried that they are gunna see me with it and think im crazy and have gone totally over the top with too much stuff!!!

Issy42 · 09/07/2010 22:46

My dd made a complete surprise appearance at 32+6, so I would say pack now. The only clue with hindsight was a small bleed at 31 weeks which panicked me enough to start buying everything and packing basics. Don't worry about baby things yet though as if you do have an early one the hospital have everything and normal size nappies and clothes will be way too big anyway.

Trolley case on wheels is a great idea. I was moved from triage to ward to labour suite, another room post labour and back to ward on day of birth and another 3 room/ward moves whilst still in hospital with dd.

Babieseverywhere · 09/07/2010 22:54

I am really going to have to pack a bag soon, nearly 38 weeks pregnant and nothing ready yet. I will do it tomorrow.

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