When did you pack your hospital bag?

Starting to think about buying bits i need for this now-can't quite believe how quickly it's coming round! Just wondered when you all aimed to have yours packed by and if you have any particular tips on what to pack and what not to pack?

I have been thinking about buying some new PJ's for hospital and was thinking of some button up ones for feeding. Does that sound like a good idea? Also, the webssite lists all suggest taking a dressing gown but i am pretty sure it will be really hot and i can just stroll around in my PJ's?

Thanks in advance,

K (32 weeks )

I packed it over a few weeks, probably started around the number of weeks you are but only put the last thing in it last week (39 weeks). I found that it was easier to throw stuff in the shopping trolley as we were shopping to spread the cost, so a pack of maternity pads and breast pads with the weekly shop, etc.

I wanted to be done by 37 weeks, but then they wouldn't measure me for a nursing bra until 39 weeks because my bump was too high, so that's why it didn't get finished until then.

I was due on 15th January but didn't pack my bag until about 10th and that was due to lots of nagging from my H. I knew I didn't need it as M didn't arrive til 2nd Feb!! 

I took a thin cotton dressing gown. It was nice to have it to walk around the ward in. You had to make your own breakfast etc

1and broken spacebar!!

i packed by about 35 weeks and bag was in the car from 37 weeks. i bought new pjs as i had no button up ones. i followedthe list on the wiki but itsworth finding out what your hospitalsupply - i didn't needclothes forsarah other than to come home in or nasppies, towels or maternity pads as they weresupplied. didn't bother with dressing gown for on the ward but people havesaid they used one in labourwhen u can get cold but i was in the pool so didn't need it. i madea batch of flapjack and put it in the freezer which wegrabbed out before we went to the hospital - it defrosted quite fastand was a godsend for H - i couldnm't eat anything but the MWs enjoyed it!!

In my first pregnancy I packed it around 36 weeks. In my second pregnancy I packed it at 40+5.

I never took a dressing gown - your PJ's should be fine and yes I had button up ones.

Good Luck!

Think I had mine packed by about 35 weeks last time (havent even thought about it this time though and I am 31 weeks) 

I had a bag for me and a bag for the baby, so that it was easy for H to find the baby things as he got her bathed and dressed the first time. 

I had cheap nighties from Asda to labour in and they went straight in the bin.  I got dark underwear and pj trousers from Primark and wore vest tops as I found it so hot in the hospital.  I took a light dressing gown just to cover up wih for walking around when visitors etc were in.  I also got dressed during the day, just in joggies and vest tops, made me feel more human tbh. 

I made sure H knew where to find more breast pads/mat towels in the house incase I ran out, which I did as ended up staying 3 nights. 

Oh and I took a black towel for showering, meant it didnt get any obvious dirty marks on it!

My midwife started nagging me from around 30 weeks.  I had most stuff in the house just didn't quite manage to actually pack the bag until around 38 weeks when I had a bit of a panic as had to go in for monitoring and was told to bring my bag !

I think i started buying stuff (using the list on the wiki) at about 30 weeks but didn't actually get a bag and pack it until a couple of weeks ago (so at about 36 weeks) but there are still a few things that need to go in it but am still using/ need now (ipod, food etc).

I had mine pack around 39 weeks, maybe a bit later. Actually, my H was chucking stuff in when I was in the bath groaning through my contractions

I took a light cotton dressing gown I bought in the market in Brixton (£5 - didn't want to spend much on something I'd not use again) and didn't wear it at all. I had pjs with buttons on the top which were good and a cotton nightdress with buttons down the front too. I'm still using the night dress, although I look like a frump. It's practical though

I also packed things that my NCT teacher had said I'd need, but never used them (ear plugs, hand held fan, I pod and speakers for example)

It's so exciting packing your bag, knowing you'll come home with a little baby [fluffy icon!!!]

mine will be packed to take with me for my next scan at 23 weeks as i've been told to bring a bag just incase!  that's coming up in jan so i need to get on with it.

so given i ended up with 48 hours of clothes to last 2 weeks last time I'm going to make sure I'm prepared this time.

Fingers crossed i don't need it but you never know.

Like GF, I started buying bits at about 30 weeks, and have been adding to it over the weeks. It's still in carrier bags at the moment, as H needs to get my suitcase out the loft. I have a list of bits I need to get, but there's nothing really which I couldn't get H to get from Tesco round the corner when I'm in labour (so long as I don't go into labour on Friday... ). I need to pull my finger out to go and get them myself!

Snacks & drinks will go in at the last minute.

At ante-natal classes we were told it should be packed by 27 weeks, as if you go into labour at that point they won't try to stop it.  I went into labour at 34+6 and my bag consisted of a pack of maternity pads   So my tip will always now be, pack it yesterday!!!!

I would definately say to take a dressing gown.  I used to like to cover up just a bit when I wandered to the bathroom or if I had visitors.  I was in for a week and was very grateful for my joggers as 'day clothes' too

37 weeks (after we started the anti natel classes and H discovered a job he could usefully engage in, if it had been left to me I probably wouldn't have done it until I started labour!!  Yes good idea with the PJs, another thought, just in case you end up with a c-section and need to keep the pressure off your tummy is mothercare do maternity nighdresses which button up the front and work for feeding.

Both times I started packing at around 35 weeks, adding and taking away as the weeks went on...still didn't have anything practical to give birth in when I went into the delivery room the 2nd time around though!

x

I packed mine at 30 weeks i really dont think you can be too early.