When Should I Pack My Hospital Bag!?

K.,

Congratulations! It's not too early to pack your bag. I was surprised at 28 weeks.

K

I had my bag packed at about 34-35 weeks, just in case my kids came early...which they didn't. But it doesn't hurt and it's one less thing on your mind.

D.

I didn't pack early on either of my pregnacies. My first I packed after I went into labor and my second was a planned c-section so I just packed the night before. The things I found most valuable were a robe, slippers or the socks with the rubber tread on the bottom for walking around the hospital (with a c-section you have to walk several times a day), underwear, toiletries (toothpaste, toothbrush, deodorant, faciial cleanser, moisturizer), barrettes or ponytail holders to pull my hair back, camera(s) - video and digital or 35mm, cell phone (for all my friend's and family phone numbers), and a going home outfit for me and baby. The hospital had things like soap, body wash and shampoo. The hospital we used had plenty of snacks for mom and dad in several refrigerators on the maternity floor that were accessible at any time day or night so food and drink were never an issue like some of the other people mentioned in their posts. I had no desire, nor time really, for reading, puzzle books or video games, but something like that for dad would have been good if we had thought about it. When he wasn't helping with baby or talking with visitors, he was mainly napping or watching TV. Congratulations and good luck!

I didn't have my bag packed for my 1st cause I was going in for a stress test, I never imagined I would be staying so hubby had to pack my things.
I packed my bag at 30 wks with my last because of all the complications I had, I rather be safe than sorry.

I packed soap, shampoo and conditioner, razor, deodrant, slippers,socks, panties,toothbrush and toothpaste, chapstick,brush, scruncies for hair, pj's,outfit for baby and carseat.

Good Luck and I am sure you'll be fine.
God Bless
M.

I packed around 35-36 weeks because I wanted to be ready just in case the baby came early. No such luck but I felt better knowing I was ready. The hospital should have good food for you depending on where you deliver but not for your husband. So it would be a good idea to bring snacks for him. Also, in my experience the rooms have always been on the cool side, which I didn't mind, but my husband did! So the 2nd time around we remembered to have him wear long sleeved shirts. Don't forget the camera! And also any phone numbers of friends and family so you can call them. Best of luck to you! Enjoy each moment!!!

Ha!
Go ahead and pack if it makes you feel better!

I can't imagine it would ever be too soon to pack your bag, but I would make sure to have it done a few weeks prior to your due date unless you have had any indication that you could have the baby earlier.

At my 36 week check up my doc strongly encouraged me to get my bags packed and the car seat in the car. Based on where my daughter was she could tell that I was going to deliver "any day". At the 37 week, she was much more serious in the 'advice' of packing my bags. 5 days later I was in the hospital delivering. Lucky I took her advice the second time!

As for what I packed...my ipod, sudoku puzzle book, nintendo ds (both for me and hubby), camera, and clothes. What I wore into the hospital (shorts and tshirt) is the same thing I wore checking out. Once you get admitted you change to hospital garb so I was only in the check in clothes for the drive to the hospital (we went in at 2 am, so I had changed from my pj's). For the rest of my stay I just wore comfy pj's. Other things to pack are a couple of pairs of undies, a nursing bra or two, socks (if you want), flip flops (I wore my grubby ones to the hospital and also used them as shower shoes), pillow, toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, and deo. You might also want to pack a toothbrush, deodorant, and pillow for your hubby. Of course also have the outfit to take your little bit home in!

i know what the books say about packing a bag...but i had mine packed very well and only used a few items out of it. They kept me in the hospital gowns quiet a bit...which is good why ruin your own? and i did need shampoo, razors etc....if your thinking about taking a book...i would be willing to be you wont want any entertainment!

good luck!

I packed my hospital bag at 30 weeks because didn't want to have to worry about doing it last minute. There was a book that I had checked out from the library that gave a good list of what to take. That way you don't "over pack". It's called questions and Answers about pregnancy, I believe. I also like you like to plan ahead. Good thing that I did, because my son decided that he wanted to be here at 35 weeks! It's very good to be prepared!

I am very much a planner and I enjoyed packing my hospital bag! I half packed my bag (with things I did not need, like the baby's outfit and stuff), then I wrote a list of the other things I needed to remember. When my water broke, I packed the rest of what I needed. FYI, in most cases you will be in a labor for awhile before you actually have to go to the hospital, so if you wait, it is probably not a big deal.
Two things that I might not have thought to pack were, snacks and quarters (for the soda or snack machines), it was very nice for my husband to have!! Also I made a list of names of people to call after the delivery, that made it easier for my husband to remember who to call! Dont foget an extra outfit for your hubby!

I am a total planner and was packed at 7 months because I had blood pressure issues and was in and out of the hospital a couple of times. I didn't want my husband having to wing-it and guess what I may want. I learned packing is highly overrated! I used very little of what I took. My toothbrush, lotion, housecoat and houseshoes were all I used. I wore home what I wore to the hospital. Good Luck!!

Just wanted to add that you may want to pack some extra snacks that you love. I cant tell you how frustrated I was the first night when I was awake nursing, and was starving!! After that, my husband brought me a few things, and when the other 2 children were born, I went prepared. Also, gum is a great help and some chapstick or lip gloss. Another fun thing a girlfriend brought me was magazines. I dont usually read them often, but it was fun to read an article here and there, without the depth a book requires. As for the car seat...please make sure you know what you are doing. I never realized how difficult people find the carseat, until I watched A Baby Story a few times. It can be tricky, so play with it sooner than later, you can even take it to various places to check it for safety. Congratulations and best of luck with your last few weeks. ~A.~

If you are ansy (like I was), I went ahead and packed, it made me feel more restful and prepared. My son was 4 days late, but both of my sisters kids were very early, so it couldn't hurt to pack!