when should you start getting your hospital bag ready?

[Cassius2]

Oh and i just remembered that like someone else mentioned I left a list of labour bag stuff on the fridge...just in case DH had to do the packing...

[Shanti]

I have lost my list of what i need to pack in my bag pg brain.... its somewhere....

I have bought breast pads, maternity pads, PJ's for hossy, few toiletries, singlets, and few other bits and pieces and I'm going to start packing my bag within the next 2 weeks.... hope to have it done by 32 weeks.

[Brunette01]

I am going to wait to pack mine until I have finished ante natal classes - that way the midwife will probably have reminded me of anything I've forgotten. For people who have already done the whole labour thing before - what kind of clothes did u take with you? Like pyjamas and stuff? I've been looking at buying some as I just wear old stuff at the moment but don't know what would be okay. Also how many maternity and breast pads would you recommend having with you? I get a bit freaked out thinking that I'm going to take all the wrong stuff! If only my mum was here I'd get her to do it!

[Misskylie]

I started packing my Hospital bag at around 30 weeks and have been adding stuff since then.


Brunette01-This is just a list of what I packed

2 pairs of comfy PJ pants
2 large comfy tops
2 open front nighties
Summer dressing gown
Slippers
Thongs (for shower I get paranoid about catching tinea and I have a shared bathroom at my hospital)
2 day out fits (they are both breast feeding tops)
lots of cheap soft black undies (about 15 )
2 maternity singlets.
Socks
Camera
Burnt Cd of my favorite songs
Back massager
A book (what to expect the first year lol) and some mags to read



Toiletries-
A pack of breast pads I think there is about 50 (my hospital only supplies a small pack)
Maternity pads- 2 packs (my Hospital also supplies 1 pack)
Toothpaste/toothbrush
Soap
Shampoo and conditioner
Hair brush
Hair bands
lip balm
Some make up for photo ops
Extra soft toilet paper (just incase the hospital toilet paper is like sand paper)

I may have gone over board but Im not a huge fan of hospitals and I wanted to feel as comfortable as possible.

[Cassius2]

i'd recommend loads of breast pads and maternity pads. also, i found that i preferred in the early days to have the big fat squishy pads over the libra thin ones that i bought as the extra cushioning can be a bit more forgiving on the tender post-birth regions IYKWIM

another tip i have is to get a bra that is one cup size bigger than what you are as sometimes when the milk comes in the engorged boobies can be rather large (i had to send DH off with MIL to get a 12e - i was a 12d at that stage). i used the bigger bra until they settled down...

hair brush and some lip gloss never goes astray in case of photography emergencies! LOL!

and a nice 'visiting hours' nightie...

[SamiH]

#1 - around 32 weeks - and then kept taking stuff out and putting it back - silly - like hair dryer etc

#2 - had bought the pads etc but packed nothing - then I got bad gastro at 35 weeks and they said if I threw up once more I would have to come in for saline etc so I ran around and packed a bag just in case arrived early cos I was so sick

#3 - again bought the pads and stuff around 30 wks - had a bag on the bedroom floor and kept a list on top of stuff that I needed to pack if in a hurry etc or last minute - like hair dryer!!! Lucky, cos my waters broke 10 days from EDD and my mind went to custard

My advice, put the bag out now, put in the necessities that you can and make a list of the last minute stuff - rescue remedy, lip balm, hair ties, clothes that you still wear to pack etc

I packed mine fully, and this time came home again in less than 24 hours anyway

Good luck

[satya]

I think I started to pack mine around 30 weeks as I was paranoid I'd go early. I didn't.

Brunette - I wore PJ's & nighties for the first 3 days then trackie pants & maternity tops for the other 2 days. I suggest you pack enough for 5 days in case you get a sick bub (like I did). Yes I know that your partner can get stuff for you but it's not always easy trying to explain exactly what you want nor where it might be found (for instance the purple mat top you love could be in the laundry basket, hanging on the line, or in your wardrobe).

I didn't use any breast pads at hospital or at home. I never got enough milk to need them.

Maternity pads - 3 packs. Hospitals sometimes do provide them but I saw what my hossy provided & there's noway I'd wear them. Aldi overnight ones give the best coverage - never had any leakage with them, but I did with the maternity ones that were a popular brand (can't remember which one).


One last thing I just remembered. A strong pain killer of some sort. If like me you get discharged to a bonding room you don't get given any drugs anymore. If you've had stitches you could have quite a bit of pain and you will appreciate what you've bought with you.