How Many Hospital Bags Do I Need for Giving Birth?
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Giving birth is an exciting, albeit nerve-wracking, experience, especially for new parents. Being prepared is essential, and knowing what to pack before you leave for the hospital is a great start. At the same time, however, having too much stuff can be overwhelming – so how many bags are required?
You need at least one hospital bag for giving birth. As long as you can fit the necessary items for the parents and the baby in one bag, you don’t need any more bags. However, some people may need two if they need to carry additional items or expect a longer than usual stay in the hospital.
The rest of this article will discuss the recommended amount of bags needed for giving birth. I’ll also discuss the importance of a hospital bag and the different instances you might consider taking multiple bags to the hospital.
Is a Hospital Bag Important?
A hospital bag is important as it ensures you have the supplies you need to make the birthing and recovery process as manageable as possible. While the hospital will provide you with necessary medical items, your hospital bag will ensure you have a change of clothes, toiletries, snacks, and so on.
While having a hospital bag is essential, it doesn’t need to be packed to the brim. You only need to bring items you suspect will be necessary, and the bag itself can be of any type you choose.
It’s recommended to pack your bag about a month before your due date. However, women who are pregnant with multiple babies (such as twins) should consider packing sooner, as multiples are frequently born preterm.
Do I Need a Separate Bag for Me and for the Baby?
You don’t need a separate bag for you and for the baby. However, you may prefer multiple bags as it can offer a more organised system and make it easier to quickly find things you need. Additionally, if you prefer multiple bags, you should always go with the system that works best for you.
There are many benefits to packing a separate bag for both the parents and the baby. Not only does it allow you to fit more items in each bag, but it keeps things more organized and makes it easier for both you and your labour partner to find what you need.
Do I Need a Separate Bag for Pre-Labour and Post-Labour?
You don’t need a separate bag for pre-labour and post-labour. The amount of bags a person need varies with the number of items needed or wanted. That said, separate bags for pre-and post-labour can make it easier to find items quickly.
Packing separate bags for pre-labour and post-labour makes it easier to know where everything is. However, having too many bags can become overwhelming, especially when carrying them around when coming and going from the hospital.
If you already bring separate bags to the hospital for you and your baby, you may want to consider having only one bag for yourself, instead of separating your items into pre-and post-labour bags. Instead, use packing cubes so you can easily separate the items depending on when you’ll need them.
If you’re looking for packing cubes, I recommend using the Amazon Basics packing cubes from Amazon.co.uk. It comes with six different cubes, including a laundry bag, which make for excellent organization.
How Many Bags Should I Take to the Hospital for Giving Birth?
It’s common to ask yourself “Should I take one or two hospital bags for giving birth? How many bags do I need to take with me?” The answer to this depends on how many items you want to bring with you, as well as your personal preference.
You should take at least one bag to the hospital for giving birth as you will need some items for yourself and the baby, including a change of clothes for yourself and the outfit you’ll bring your baby home in. You can take multiple bags if you prefer, but it’s usually not necessary to do so.
If you’re unsure about what all you should bring or how many bags you’ll need, Healthline has a great article that has a checklist of what you should include in your hospital bag here.
The amount of bags also depends on the size of the bag. If your bags are smaller than average, you may need to use two bags to fit everything. Alternatively, consider using packing cubes – they are a great way to fit everything you need in a smaller space while still remaining organised.
However, if you do choose to bring multiple bags, keep in mind that you will have to carry them around if you need to move rooms numerous times. Furthermore, you’ll also need to carry them in and out of the hospital.
The main thing to consider when packing a hospital bag is convenience. You don’t want anything that’s going to cause unnecessary grief or that will be overwhelming.
As long as you think ahead and consider all of the advantages and disadvantages to one or more bags to make your decision, you should be fine with either option.