Hospital bag - when to pack

christy1009

How many weeks before your due date are you/did you pack your hospital bag?

What items did/are you packing?

With my DS (first pregnancy), I fell and broke my ankle and we never had the chance to ever pack a hospital bag, so I'm trying to get things done this round ahead of time

Thanks!

atcwag

I'll probably do it around 36 or 37 weeks.

JackieA2013

My doctor recommends packing a bag at 34 weeks.

sugarkissed

I was wondering this as well! I guess I'll have to start making a list...  

smilejenn

I might throw a few items in a bag this week (37wks), but most of the toiletries I plan on taking are products I use everyday. I have a packing list to follow and have packed a hospital bag while in pain before, so I'm not too concerned with taking on the task just before heading to the hospital.

RoosterMemphis

Ill do it next week (37weeks). We live a mile from the hospital, so I'm not too worried about packing anyway. If I forget something, DH can always come back and grab it real quick. 

caramia582

Honestly, I probably won't pack until we leave for the hospital.  I simply don't have a lot of "comfy" clothes in the rotation and don't want to buy more, so instead, I have a post-it reminding me of what I need so right before we leave I can just pack it all then.  I have been on top of laundry so at all times there are enough clean clothes to pack about 3-4 days worth.  

AlwaysForgetful

I won't pack mine till the night before my Csection. BUT I have my robe and any lounge pants/tops I wish to bring in a pile by my bed.

With #1 I went in for a visit just before 28 weeks and was sent to the ER and delivered the next day. So I have it ready just in case.

As far as toiletries, I just ask the hospital for them. It is less to bring home. They can give me a toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo and conditioner, and I use their pads and "undies" until I go home anyway. My car always has a spare brush in it. So I am good to go that way.

Creedon778

I am semi-packed at 34 weeks.  It can be difficult to pack as you probably use many of the items you'll take with you on a daily basis.  Even if you don't fully pack your bag, I think it's important to make a list of exactly what you need/plan to take and leave it next to the bag you're going to use so that if the contractions start you know it's time to finalize the bag and you don't forget anything.

ELauren88

I started packing today, at 35 weeks. By "started" I mean that I put all our travel sized toiletries in the bag, along with a warmer swaddle blanket, a fluffy towel, my "hospital flip flops", and extra clothes for MH. We'll pack LO's clothes, and my stuff when we get a little closer, probably around 37-38 weeks, simply because I do not have enough outfits to make it 5 weeks without those clothes! Ha!

I also printed out 3 copies of my "birth plan", copies of insurance forms, and our preregistration form to have handy. Also, I already packed away a small notebook with pen, and our point and shoot camera (fully charged). 

magdalina.h

Soon because if increased BH

CaliforniaDream87

Meh, probably around 38 weeks.
I'm really not in a rush to pack my bag.

rissa06

Mine is packed, but need to finish the kids.

Millie1984

I keep saying I have to do this.  Im basically thinking of it as if i was going on an overnight trip.  Everything that I would need for a shower, PJs, slippers, an outfit to go home in and maybe a book. 

Arielle27

I'll probably do it sooner rather than later... I was in and out of the hospital three times with my second child, from 33 weeks on, and I am very nervous that it might happen again this time.

Babybabybabyohhhhhhh

I have a pile of things ready to go but I am waiting for some comfy clothes that I ordered to come in the mail.

dondraandluis

With my DD I did probably around 35 or 36 weeks. This time I just did a little over a week ago and I will be 39 weeks on Wed. It's actually only partially packed and I have a list of the last min things I'm going to put in. I'm going in for induction thurs morning.

reason00

I did it in labour last time. Just grabbed some comfy clothes, change of clothes for baby, and some toiletries. It's all I used.

ilovetolaugh

I'm thinking soon.  PTL has kicked in and put me on bedrest.  All LO's tiny clothes are washed, so I'll throw a few of her outfits in and some general stuff for me.  We've been in and out of the hospital, so bag packing in a hurry is getting easy.

lisamoe

I Packed at 37.5 weeks.   I felt like I did it way too early last time (and way too much stuff) so I was minimal this time and waited a bit longer.

kcox123

I have a pile 'o stuff going... But I should probably put it in an actual bag along with a list on top of items that need to be added on the way out (camera, batteries, make-up, etc).

My second was born at 37 weeks with no warning and in two hours start to finish so I really have no excuse to not have things packed at this point. 

406chandler

I did it this weekend. Went out of town so wanted to have it incase. I packed, 1 "can get dirty" dress, 2 easy to nurse dresses., underwear, nursing bras, glasses/contacts, flip flops, head phones, shampoo/conditioner, toothbrush/toothpaste, belly bandit, compression top, 2 outfits for baby to wear home, a couple diapers and wipes, and car seat and base all in the trunk of the car.  I will add meds, deodorant and make up (although I doubt I care about that at the time. Not a picture person) later. That is what I remember packing anyway. There could be more.... Im soooo ready...

pinottoparenthood

I packed my bag between 38 and 39 weeks. At that point the wait was getting bearable and it was nice to have tasks to distract me from it. Bear in mind at a few things that you use every day may not go in until you're leaving. I left a list next to the bag of the stuff we needed to grab on our way out the door (my makeup, the car seat). I actually just put brand new toothbrushes in the bag to make sure that we'd have those. And don't forget snacks, especially for DH during labor! At the end of it all, I went past my due date and was induced so having my suitcase sitting by the door for weeks wasn't even necessary.

PriscellaDs

With my son, I went into labour at 36 weeks and had nothing packed. This time I'm planning on having it packed and ready just in case but I'm only 31w3days right now so I'll still wait a bit.

Whenever you do pack your bag I recommend taking a book or a couple magazines with you and lots of snacks for after! Also don't forget about chargers for cameras etc. and a brush and some hair ties! It'll come in handy!

audreid

With DD1 I was induced at 7:00 pm, so I packed the bag around 5:00 pm that day.  This time, I guess I should pack one at least for DD1 (she will be staying with my parents) sometime soon.. As for my bag, I am going shopping this weekend for a few of the things I need (travel sized shampoo and such) so I will probably take care of it sometime in the next couple weeks. I'm really not in a rush, because packing our bags is the last thing on my "to do" list, and then I just have to sit and wait for DD2 to arrive!

BelhurstBride

I'm a fan of packing while in labor. Packing a month before your EDD is just going to lead to over packing. 

What to pack is not all that complicated. I just pack what I would normally want with me for a 1-2 night stay someplace. 

Don't forget that everything you drag to the hospital you have to drag home, along with anything well wishers bring along and that new baby. 

MissyCee

I was thinking about starting to pack this weekend, when I'll be 37 weeks, and adding things as I think of them. We live only a few minutes from the hospital so I'll add the toiletries and things like that last minute.

PSUBean22

I already packed mine and it's in the car, but we packed very light as if it were just an overnight and went into a duffle bag very quickly with a lot of leftover room!

snookums2013

I just did it this week (between 36 and 37 weeks) and it was making me really nervous that I didn't have it done until then.  I still have a few small things to add and will feel better once I do.  I had a hard time deciding what clothes to pack that I won't miss wearing in the meantime, but I packed a few comfy outfits, pajamas, undies, nursing bras, one pair of socks, a robe, toiletries, allergy meds, makeup, one outfit for my husband, clothes for the baby, receiving blanket, chargers, ipad, camera, and pics for focal point in my suitcase.  Then I have my boppy pillow, snacks, and car seat separately that need to come too.

leahaustin

I have begun putting mine together now but just adding little things to it here and there. I want to have it completely put together by 36weeks.

kelseyjohnston

I am going to do it right after my baby shower next week, so I will be 33 weeks. I had my daughter at 34 weeks so I really don't know how long I will carry this little guy! 

melosch

christy1009 said:

How many weeks before your due date are you/did you pack your hospital bag?

What items did/are you packing?

With my DS (first pregnancy), I fell and broke my ankle and we never had the chance to ever pack a hospital bag, so I'm trying to get things done this round ahead of time

Thanks!

Oh dear, you broke your ankle while pregnant? You poor thing! 

I broke mine last August, then surgery in September and am still not 100%. I can't help but think how hard it would be to not only be pregnant but also have a newborn while recovery. Serious kudos to you!

I am closing in on 36 weeks and plan to pack my hospital/birth center bag this weekend. 

Here is my full list for me, husband and baby. Might be a bit more than most have on their list, but we're using a birthing center that has a full kitchen and we'll be staying 2 nights. 

For car ride 

bucket, garbage bag & old towel

Mom

toiletries - toothbrush & toothpaste, lip balm, deodorant, a brush, basic makeup, hair brush, hair band & hair ties, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, poof, lotion (face + body), meds + vitamins

post-birth - giant pads, tucks wipes, stool softener, new momma sprays and salves (nipple & bottom) 

clothing - bathing suit top, 2 nursing tanks, leggings, tanks/t-shirts, robe, pjs, socks, extra undies, target nursing bras, nursing/breast pads, flip flops

comfortable clothes to go home in

pillow, music and ipod dock, essential oils+diffuser, towel, journal, baby book

phone + charger

food - coconut water, 6 bottles recharge, dried fruit, fresh fruit, veggie sticks, hummus, rice cakes, iced tea, popsicles, smoothie supplies, lollipops/hard candy, lactation tea, herbal tea + travel mug, gum

laboring candles

Dad

toothbrush & toothpaste

swim trunks

lounge clothes (pjs, t-shirt, boxers, slippers)

towel

camera, charger, memory card

laptop + charger

phone + charger

food & snacks (sandwich supplies, frozen burritos, cereal & milk)

books/magazines

list of folks to call after baby arrives

Baby

car seat pre-installed!

2 rooming in outfits

going home outfit (including mittens, socks & hat)

swaddling blanket, dog blanket, car blanket

diapers

jessalynn521

Eh, I am picking up some of the things I need for it, but I am not sure when I will actually pack it. I have made a list, and know what clothes I want to bring, I have a going home outfit for baby that I know I could pack already, but I am not too incredibly worried. Over the next couple weeks though, since I have been having so many signs of false labor already. I should add I am literally a 2 minute drive from my hospital. It will take longer for MH to get home from work than it will for me to get to the hospital.

MJHershey

I packed around 36 weeks.

meep13

I'm 39 weeks and keep thinking I need to pack but just haven't gotten to it yet...I really should get it done though as we have an hour drive to the hospital and my labor with DS was only 9 hours start to finish.  He also came two days early. I've heard that first pregnancies usually last the longest so I probably should throw some stuff in a bag I guess...

laurakaz13

I packed while I was in labor with DD.  It never really occurred to me to pack early.  I just brought flip flops, toiletries, a sundress, yoga pants and a tank top.  If I needed anything DH would have gotten it for me.  But I really didn't need much. 

hawtness21

I started packing at 20 weeks. I started with toiletries and her clothes. I also packed a set of pjs for me with slippers. I'm able to fit more because I played tetris with my bag. I have to pack a coming home outfit for me and a few other items.