When To Pack Your Hospital Bag?

[eleephant]

I'm curious when everyone packs their hospital bag? I can't remember what I did for my other 3. I think I'll do it after the 35 week mark. When do you do it? (There is no poll because I'm on Tapatalk.)

[Diordra]

I'm thinking I'll do it at 35 weeks also. I don't even remember if I packed on last time, I was confident I was going to make it to my scheduled induction date but due to a few high blood pressure readings during a scheduled NST I was induced early. I did have a bag packed for DD1 though.

[hayleysmith]

I've been slowly packing mine for a few weeks. It is basically packed now at almost 35 weeks.

[foxtober]

I think I just packed a few things, like underwear and nursing tips ahead of time. My mom was overdue with both of her kids so I was kind of lax. And then I had a scheduled induction so I had a night to pack ahead of time.

I'll probably pack at 37 weeks this time - at least the things I don't use regularly. Especially since half my stuff is still packed from moving...

[summerrain]

This is a good question. I have only packed my bags the day before my inductions for both kids because I knew I would make it until then for some reason. This kid I am questioning if I should start in a few weeks just in case. I will probably do a big target haul with all the necessary after birth essentials and basically use that as the start of my bag.

[ladybrienne]

I grabbed a few travel size toiletries the other day at Target. I will probably get things here and there and I plan to have my bag packed except for last minute stuff by week 35. Which is in like 3 weeks. Wtf man. Lolz

[charlotte]

I dug my bag out from storage around 34 weeks and started adding to it. I finished packing it by 36 wks. I just have to throw in our iPads/chargers when we go. The target travel-size toiletry section is great. The travel-size dry shampoo and listerine are 👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻.

[jillywilly]

I just started thinking about this after the high BP at the OB's last week. I need to run to Target for some of the travel-size toiletries and other immediate post c-section supplies. My first kid was so stubborn about not coming out I thought for sure I'd have until the scheduled c-section, but depending on what happens with my blood pressure the next couple weeks, I think my goal will be to have everything kind of together by 37 weeks.

[expatmama11]

I have mine ready to go with the exception of last minute things that I am still using. I have a list of those things so I can add them later. (Ex. Phone charger, nursing bra, make up, brush)

[SayitaintSnow]

I'm 35 weeks today and in denial so I have no plans to pack a bag anytime soon. I live really close to the hospital though.

[letsgetphysio]

I should probably do this...I'm almost 36 weeks but still in denial about it.

Last time I didn't pack a bag either, which resulted in me calling my parents to grab stuff for me from the hospital bed since I was induced 2 weeks early - nothing more awkward than verbally walking your father through your closet to find your bras and underwear!

[Argyle]

I breezed right past 35 weeks without actually realizing it (thought I was 34 still??) so I am definitely not organized enough for the bag. That should be a goal for this weekend. Maybe car seat too?

[jense927]

I didn’t have one for DS because he was born very unexpectedly at 31 weeks. What are some things that you are packing? Particularly for C-section. I’d like to be more prepared this time!

[Diordra]

Oct 8, 2018 18:14:23 GMT -6 jense927 said:

I didn’t have one for DS because he was born very unexpectedly at 31 weeks. What are some things that you are packing? Particularly for C-section. I’d like to be more prepared this time!

Comfy non binding feeling pants to wear home. They’ll give you a binder at the hospital but I like putting a big ol maxi pad between it and my incision.

[sarcaztic10]

I didn’t have one ready at all with DS1 because I was a total procrastinator. I had DS1 at 41 weeks...

With DS2 I think I had mine totally ready at 37 weeks which is what I am going to aim for this time.

[quijibo]

I plan on being packed at 37 weeks. I had DD at 40+2, so I think being packed when officially full term is a safe bet.

[expatmama11]

Oct 8, 2018 14:25:19 GMT -6 letsgetphysio said:

I should probably do this...I'm almost 36 weeks but still in denial about it.

Last time I didn't pack a bag either, which resulted in me calling my parents to grab stuff for me from the hospital bed since I was induced 2 weeks early - nothing more awkward than verbally walking your father through your closet to find your bras and underwear!

I think that is my fear this time. I am afraid I will go to an appointment and something will be off and dr will send me straight to L&D. Trying to tell my H what to get would end in extreme frustration.

[eleephant]

Oct 8, 2018 18:14:23 GMT -6 jense927 said:

I didn’t have one for DS because he was born very unexpectedly at 31 weeks. What are some things that you are packing? Particularly for C-section. I’d like to be more prepared this time!

In mine, I have an outfit for me, a few outfits for baby, travel toiletries for me, usual things for an over night stay (phone chargers, some toiletries for H, etc). I also bring a swaddle for baby. As far as diapers for baby and such and aftercare products for me, the hospital tends to have all of that. I'm also sure to grab all that they offer and extras to take home (like pads, mesh underwear, the package of diapers, formula for baby if formula feeding.)

I probably forgot a bunch but I'm exhausted and barely forming sentences lol.

[jillywilly]

Oct 8, 2018 18:14:23 GMT -6 jense927 said:

I didn’t have one for DS because he was born very unexpectedly at 31 weeks. What are some things that you are packing? Particularly for C-section. I’d like to be more prepared this time!

After my c-section, I had my mom go out and buy me some super, super high-waisted underpants that would go well over the incision, because I didn't want any seams going anywhere near it, so I'll be buying those probably at my next Target run. I've also already bought some yoga pants a size larger than my normal where instead of folding them over, I'll just roll them up over the incision. 

Also, not necessarily hospital bag, but in the immediate week or two after my c-section I was supposed to try and avoid stairs as much as possible. Especially since this time I'll probably want to be upstairs to say good night to DS, I'm planning on putting a little basket of snacks and making sure I have a water bottle, etc. upstairs and downstairs so I'm not constantly sending H up and down stairs for stuff. Likewise, downstairs I'll make sure I have extra pads, nipple cream, etc. Basically, having the essentials in easy reach all over the house. 

[Dramaphile]

I guess I should pack my bag since I'm 37 weeks today. I feel so under-prepared this time around! Need to wash and pack my robe and comfy clothes/nursing bras for labor and hospital stay, ring sling, swaddle blanket, outfits for baby, labor snacks (probably nutragrain bars/fig bars, honey sticks, fruit snacks, peanut butter packets, gatorade, etc), nipple cream, extra device chargers, breast pads, travel size toiletries (last time I forgot shampoo and conditioner and had to use my body wash on my hair), Depends, hairbrush, hair ties

[sarcaztic10]

I will plan to have one or 2 changes of comfy clothes including comfortable underwear, nursing bras, and cozy socks. Clothes for H. A couple outfits for LO and a zip up swaddler like the Love to Dream one or the Woombie, lip balm, snacks for me, an extra charger for our phones, my kindle, my own pillow, and a couple other things I know I am forgetting right now.

If everything goes smoothly with labor and LO checks out ok I will be begging to leave the hospital about 24 hours after I give birth. They let me go around that time after DS2 and we are going to shoot for that again. I hate hospitals and all the noise and interruptions.

With DS1 we were in a birth center and they sent us home 5 hours after he was born.

[quijibo]

H and I cried when they told us we could go home 😂 What do you mean we’re officially in charge of this tiny human? Leaving the safety net of the hospital was overwhelming. I am the type to overstay my welcome. lol

[Dramaphile]

Oct 9, 2018 10:30:49 GMT -6 sarcaztic10 said:

I will plan to have one or 2 changes of comfy clothes including comfortable underwear, nursing bras, and cozy socks. Clothes for H. A couple outfits for LO and a zip up swaddler like the Love to Dream one or the Woombie, lip balm, snacks for me, an extra charger for our phones, my kindle, my own pillow, and a couple other things I know I am forgetting right now.

If everything goes smoothly with labor and LO checks out ok I will be begging to leave the hospital about 24 hours after I give birth. They let me go around that time after DS2 and we are going to shoot for that again. I hate hospitals and all the noise and interruptions.

With DS1 we were in a birth center and they sent us home 5 hours after he was born.

I am really hoping to be let go in 24 hours as well, I don't sleep well not in my own bed and I know all the noise and lights and interruptions will drive me nuts.  I loved going home 8 hours after giving birth to DD in a birth center.  People thought I was crazy, but I was so happy to be in my own bed.

Ooh and good idea bringing my own pillow!  

[sarcaztic10]

Dramaphile I hated being woken up by DS2 in the hospital then by the nurses coming and going and the hospital staff/cleaning crew being in and out. Between one thing or another I don’t think I was able to get more than 15 minutes of sleep at a time! There was a lady who came in just before we left taking a survey about our stay and one of the questions was “were we quiet enough/were you able to rest enough after your delivery.” I swear I probably gave her the worst look and she is lucky she didn’t get chewed out.

[notelsie]

I packed B’s overnight bag and the baby bag last week finally.

As for my bag.. I’m anxious it isn’t packed, but also having some anxiety over packing it. I need to do it 😬 I’m 37w, and worried about him getting here sooner than expected.

[Dr. Cox]

So far, I just have a toiletry kit and the baby’s coming home outfit. I way overpacked last time and need to figure out what I actually need. I don’t think I used even a third of what was in my bag.

[hayleysmith]

Oct 9, 2018 14:57:25 GMT -6 Dr. Cox said:

So far, I just have a toiletry kit and the baby’s coming home outfit. I way overpacked last time and need to figure out what I actually need. I don’t think I used even a third of what was in my bag.

Same here. I'm bring a few toiletries, cell phone charger, my tablet, giant comfy pants plus nursing tanks, and the baby's clothes. That about sums it up!

[Dramaphile]

Bought some labor snacks at the grocery store yesterday - fig bars, Justin's peanut/almond butter packets and swedish fish. Should do some laundry when I get home tonight so I can pack a few comfy things.

[quijibo]

I did a lot of vomiting during labor. How do y’all eat snacks?!

[charlotte]

Don’t forget the chapstick! (If you’re an addict like me)