Trying to pack hospital bag

But finding this rather complicated as we have to stay for the week before baby is due in the town where I am giving birth which is 1.hrs from home.

So, I was reading that some people pack labour bags and after birth bags and wondered if this was sensible, then I can pack everything that I want to take into a large suitcase and too bad if the hospital things I am wacky haha, and then have a smaller bag for the essentials during labour, including things for DH.

But then I was thinking that it is still hard coz realistically I could go into labour tomorrow so need to have things pretty much packed but then will also be needing some things over the next two weeks. sigh, so complicated!!

And another thing, while baby will be supplied with most things in hospital, we will have the 1.5hr drive home so should I have a couple of outfits in case baby needs a change?

The town we are gonna be in is not large either so not like can just go out and get stuff (plus shopping hours are crappo over here), and obviously it is a bit far to send DH home to get stuff!

Does anyone have any advice on this coz I am getting in a blimmin muddle (with all sorts of stuff all over the show).

Oh and should I take breast pump with me to hospital or would I just use their one if needed...or is it better to have mine in case I need to use it and they can show me how hehe....we live in the sticks and when I come home there will be minimal support, no midwives out this way, only the Dr who I find hard to understand. My mum will be here with me but couldn't breast feed so she ain't gonna be much use haha!

I think Linzy's suggestion of a small labour bag and then a suitcase with a few more outfits for you and bubs and DH is a good idea.

Re the breastpump, if you're worried about how to use it etc when you get home I would take it just so they can show you (you don't have to actually "pump" but they can at least help with positioning). Or you could call ahead now and see what pumps they have at the hospital, they might be able to give you a demo with theirs.

Assuming the hospital provides everything for the baby, including nappies, wipes and clothes, I would pack a "going home" outfit and then just one or two AIOs for "just in case," a pack of newborn nappies, pack of wipes or cotton balls and a bottle of water and some cloth nappies or muslins for spills.

I live over an hour from where I gave birth. I lived out of my hospital bag for the week or so before my daughter arrived (just in case!). I ended up being induced so had plenty of time to make sure I had everything.

I had a labour bag (back pack) with heat pack, drinks, snacks, outfit for baby and comfy clothes for me for after, also had bodywash etc so I could have a shower straight away. Oh and vaseline to put on babis bum to stop the meconium from sticking!

In my hospital bag (small suitcase) I had 3 outfits for me plus breast feeding singlets and PJs.
A few outfits for the baby plus nappies, nappy cream, wipes, burping cloths, 2 wraps, hat
I also took my own maternity pads just in case I didn't like the hospital ones.
Make sure you take lots of comfy knickers just in case you need them. I took old ones that wouldn't matter if they needed to be chucked.

It's better to take small amounts to the hospital and leave the rest where DP is staying he can always bring things you have left with him in. Remember that you will have the baby and other extras to pack in the car when you go home! It took about 1/2 and hour for us to pack everything up when we went home because of all the stuff we got given!