I've had my baby's bag packed since 37 weeks im now 38 weeks nd i just packed my bag last nite well some of it the rest of the thing i will need i wrote it on a checklist so i wont forget anything
I also wrote a list and packed our bags at like 34 weeks and I'm 37+5
I did mine this week. I'll be 37 weeks Sunday. My OB said 5% of women go into labor at 36 weeks so it's a good time to be packed by.
What do I need to pack? We will be in the hospital for 3 days.
I packed my bag at 38 weeks. I packed. Comfy clothes, granny panties, socks, slippers, coming home clothes, a puzzle book, some of my own pads, breast pads, nipple cream, travel size of my own shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, and body wash,camera, snacks, a change of clothes for hubby, lotion, a back massager, my mp3 player and head phones. 2 coming home outfits for baby, ( incase he messes one) baby book, nail clippers, feeding pillow, snow suit, car seat cover.. And I made a list of the things I use everyday. Like my make up, robe, pillow, phone charger, toothbrush, hair brush. So I dont forget anything. I probably over packed. But id rather be safe than sorry. A lot of women would rather wear the hospital gowns, and mesh underwear, and toiletries they provide but I'm picky. :)
Dont bring diapers or wipes. The hospital provides plenty for your stay. And you might want some hard candies and gum and chap stick, cause the hospital can be very dry. I packed ear plugs because even at night hospitals can be noisy.
Shorti has a good list. I normally wear make up there so I don't take any. Once I give birth, I don't care. LOL! I do wear their underwear and the gown that first night but then once I shower, I like to have my own PJs on. But I do wear their mesh underwear until I go home. Fits the big pads in it better than my regular underwear. They provide nipple cream. I don't wear nursing pads there because normally your milk hadn't come in yet so it isn't necessary. Travel size things for bathing. The car seat must be in the car for the baby to go home. In fact, my hospital checks how you have put the baby in the car seat and how you secure it in the car, before they let baby go home.
Yeah, I'm gunna try and keep my clothes on instead of the gowns. With my daughter I had her all natural and they let me go home after 36 hours! I felt uncomfortable in those gowns that your boobs hangout of! My dad came and his girlfriend who I had never met before and then some girls from school who I had gotten to know and grew up with her dad, plus grandpa on dads side and my brother, so it was quite awkward wearing those!
Can't believe I forgot to mention the car seat!! Lol I have mine installed.
And I will definitely be wearing their underwear! I don't want to ruin mine lol. Plus theirs is a little looser for the pads like you said!
When I registered at the hospital they provided a list of things I might want to take. Of course I don't plan on taking everything that is on the list just the basics, like pajamas, flip flops, socks, extra pair of clothes, phone charger, iPod and charger, toothpaste/brush, makeup, I was also told to take my own shampoo/conditioner and towels, then some snacks and my vitamins. And for the baby I'm taking the basics, diapers, blankets, clothes, etc. I did pack my bag at 34 weeks because I had a false alarm (premature labor) and was ready just in case they wanted to deliver and keep me.
And of course your insutance cards.
I got some comfy nursing pjs that I wore at the hospital. Because their gowns do tend to fall. My boobs are always hanging out. LOL! And I am always trying to cover myself, etc. I had my last baby in August and I had some cute pjs that were shorts and a nursing top set. They are made of cotten/t-shirt material and were super comfy at the hospital so I was glad I had them.
I am weird but I never take anything for the baby. I just let baby wear the t-shirt that the hospital gives them. And they give a couple of those nice big swaddling blankets that they put them in. I literally go straight home so I just let baby go home in that. And the hospital provides diapers and anything baby will need while you are there.
Also IF I do forget anything, hubby runs to a nearby Walgreens or grocery store. And most hospitals have a gift shop where you can get things too so don't worry. Don't forget the phone charger and camera though!