Hi everyone.
I am just wondering when is the best time to have your hospital bag packed, just to be on the safe side.
I am now 30 weeks and feel that I will have an early delivery. Thats just a hunch that I have had since the beginning.
Also can you suggest items that you think are handy but no-one ever mentioned?
Thankyou
Hi Blueflower,
I packed my bag at about 35 weeks. I had a list from the hospital as to what i should take but i think there is a difference between public and private. I went private so they supplied baby clothes and pretty much every else i needed for bubs. As for me the only thing i would do different is probably take alot more normal clothes to wear, instead of just pj's. The only thing they really specified was to take some maternity pads (surfboards) as they didn't supply these.
I tell you what though if your planning on breastfeeding get yourself a tube of LANISOH for your nipples, it helped me so much - still hurt like hell but my nipples never cracked, i put after the first feed then for the next 3 weeks - boy did i know it if i forgot.
P.S: Once your bag is packed and in the car - don't be stupid like me and then decide when your labour starts to pull it out and double check every thing is there, then forget to put it all back together just as your water has broken and you are on your way out the door.....doh:
I packed my hopsital and labor bag around 35-36 weeks just to be on the safe side as just like you i have had this feeling of going into labor early not to sure why just a gut feeling i have had for a while but theres no harm packing it when u feel like you should. Hope all goes well! xXx
I started packing mine @ 30 weeks and just chucking in things here and there after the weekly shop. Now I am 35 weeks, is just about all ready to go - I just have a note on it to grab bag out of the fridge which has sports drinks and Jellies etc. in it.
I packed my bag when I was around 28 weeks!! sooo early i know, but i kept thinking what if she's born early and I have nothing packed??
My hospital gave me a list of things to bring. This was a public hospital and they provided me with pads for myself, and nappies, clothes and wash for bub.. so all I really had to bring was clothes for me, an outfit to dress bub in to go home, toiletries and some "comfort" things. I wish I brought my own pillow, but I didnt think of it!
With Lexie I was packed at 39 weeks...........sense a pattern here?!
I also packed a portable CD player and CD's, and loads of snacks for me.........packets of biccies and dried fruit etc..........I always get really hunfry when BF in the middle of the night!
I had a hunch too, and I should have paid attention to it! Everyone told me not to go crazy packing my bags too early, but my waters broke at 35 weeks and I had to finish packing before leaving for the hossy! It wasn't much of a drama, but it would've been nice if it was already done
I pack my bags around 36 weeks. But I've started buying pads and toiletries now.
It's easy to put aside all the toiletries, baby items and birthing things that you'll need. But some clothes may be the ones you use on an everyday basis -for these items I make a list and keep it in my bag for the last minute grab.
One thing that is a must (especially in a public hospital) is a roll of nice soft toilet paper. The stuff they supply in the maternity ward is hard and scratchy - not good for sore tender spots.
Another priceless thing to take is a pen and pencil. There are heaps of forms, meal menus, feeding records etc to fill out whilst in hospital. (Guard your pen when your there, they tend to go walk about - I think the nurses accidently 'borrow them' ... LOL)
With My First I Was Young And At 37wks Was Told They Were Inducing Me So Mum Wrote A List While In Labour Ward And Then Went And Got It All.
With My Third I Was Packed At 34wks Because My Other Two Had Been Early But Had Her On My Due Date Felt Good And Less Stressful To Be Organised I Had To Supply Everything For My First And Third Child. It Was Like Packing For Month Away Haha
I have a small one packed now, but, when i start maternity leave - will pack a proper one.
The one i have now just has the basic essentials in it - pads, knickers, toileties, and 2 pairs pj's. Just in case.
They say you should be packed by 34weeks.
Am also packing extra cloths for my DH - mainly - underwear, shorts, and extra toothbrush, deodrant etc, and something to sleep in.
Hello Blueflower, im 36 weeks this week and I feel I need to start to pack this week sometime .. hehe. With my last child I packed my bag around the same time as well. One thing that must say is that I agree with Kerrie L is that don't forget to STOCK UP on LANISOH for the nipples.....Its a heaven sent item for those that breastfeed.! I already have a tube to take with me to hospital... Also invest in a Nipple Shield as well. You can get these from Target or a Chemist. I got mine from Kmart and they don't cost that much. Sometimes breastfeeding is trial and error. Some of us can take to it with ease, whilst others find it won't work out. Just be patient and make sure you are in a relaxed mode when trying. (can be hard when you got a new bub with a good set of lungs in working order at times I know! hehehe) Another good item to pack is a pacifier/dummy. Some prefer not to use, but I found it can give you a few more nap times when you are new to it all. Just don't get yourself to the point of relying on it. The first few nights can be the longest. I also packed an extra nighty to deliver in. So that way after I have bub I can get into a new set after I deliver. Some hospitals allow you to get up in the night to make a cuppa as well, so if you have a favourite cup you use pack that too. Hospital cups are just eyewash size...LOL. Make sure you put your cup away in yur bag when you are finished with it though, sometimes the cleaners clean more than they are suppose to!! Enjoy your pregnancy experience and I hope you have a safe and memorable birth..... Ps....i agree with seventh heaven too on the toilet roll issue, but if you are in a public hospital and you have a share room be sure to pack it in the bag after so only you use it.!! hehehe
With DD i packed my bag at 38 weeks and everytime i had to go to the hospital i took them with me! FInally was in labour and our friends had dropped us off and took my bags home with them...lol... we didnt know if they were going to admit me so didnt take them up to the delivery suite....and i was admitted but forgot to get the bags out the car....
In your bag.. pack THONGS for the shower.... i hated having my bare feet on the shower floor....so ill make sure they are packed this time!!
When to pack Hospital bag
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