Hi,

I am currently 25 +5 weeks. I had a bleed and Threatened Pre-term labour at 24+4 and was airlifted to my closest hopital with NICU Ward which is 3hrs away from where I live. I am now back home on rest (NOT complete bed rest) orders but want to be sensible and as prepared as possible in case of another transfer to hospital, as I'm told that next time I will be staying in until baby is born.

As my previous pregnancies were uncomplicated and went to term, I had NOTHING packed and so was very lucky that my DH was able to get a friend to have our other girls so he could drive the 3hrs to come see me and bring some clothes etc.

I have no idea on the needs of a Prem (I'm guessing not much from me??), and assume the hospital have everything in that regard. But then like I said, I have no idea!!! I will also be having a c-sect (after a failed VB & Vbac) if anyone has experience with pre-term C-sect?

As Mum's of prem's what do you suggest I take for both preparation of a Prem Baby and/or a long haul of bedrest!!!

Sorry if i'm rambling, my head is swimming with everything atm, both being prepared myself and having the house, husband, children prepared as best I can. I do have my Mum here from intersate for a few more weeks to help out but I cant really keep her here forever!!

Am hoping I wont really need any of this and that things go to term from here in. But I would just feel so much better being organised!!

Thank you so much xxx

Sorry, no advice. (Came in from recent topics)
Just want to wish you all the best and say to bubba, stay put in there where it's nice and comfy!

Sorry to read that you are going through this. My waters broke at 31wks and I was transferred by RFDS to a larger hospital 3 hours away. I had been admitted with pre-term labour a week beforehand and then sent home on meds so thankfully I had my bag packed. However when I was flown out I was only allowed to take a small bag with the bare essentials...so I think that I had a pair of pj's, 1 change of clothes and toiletries and I squeezed in a camera. DH brought the rest of my things down later on.

You won't need anything for the baby as they will supply everything while in NICU/SCN. I did have a special beanie but they also provide those as well. When she was transferred closer to home and was out of the isolette I did use my own clothes and blankets for her.

I wish that I had taken my medela breast pump attachment and fenugreek (for milk supply) because I had to go searching for those after our DD was born. Thankfully the hospital did have a chemist (and shop/newsagency).

I found that after DD was born my day was taken up with expressing, walking between the hospital and Ronald McDonald House and trying to rest. When she was transferred closer to home I would sit beside her crib and crocheted beanies. So maybe if you are into craft you could pack something like that. I also spent a lot of time reading (everything from trashy magazines through to novels), and doing puzzle books like Sudoku.

If you want to chat or ask any questions feel free to PM me. I hope that baby stays inside for a good bit longer. All the best.

I was in & out of hospital from 21wks, until my twins were born at 30wks & I had nothing packed. I got DH to take things home & bring them back all the time (we lived 1hr away, so a lot easy than it will be for you).

As Nayjay has said, everything will be supplied for your baby if it's in NICU/SCN, so you wont need to worry there. As for a long bed rest stay, I can suggest books, puzzles, laptop with mobile internet... Anything to stop the boredom.

Good Luck & hopefully you wont need to worry.

hi there
I am sorry that you even have to be thinking about this issue. I take it you are in a regional area.
What I would do is contact the hospital where you were sent to and ask what accomodation options are avail for both you as well as the family and what do they provide.
If bubs is born prem then you will be discharged before bubs. Many hospitals have ronald Macdonald Houses or Hostel accomodation that you may be able to access

What to pack.
For you
Heaps of clothes, tops, pants underwear etc for both your hospital stay and post delivery so you don't have to get someone else to send down extra clothes .
A pen and note book that you can jot down all your questions, notes, milestones etc
Camera
A decent size mug (if you end up in hosp on bed rest a decent mug is a lifesaver for when you can get someone to make a cuppa for you)
all chargers eg laptop, phone,camera etc

If bubs is born really early then they wont need anything as such for a while, The NICU will provide them with what the need closer to discharge you would need your car restraint etc which can come down with the family

I would also have packed a bag with a few days worth of clothes, pj's activities for you othre children so that if you need to up and go the children are ready regardless of them coming with you or going to grandma etc

If you have time I would also sit and look at what is in your diary over the next 15 weeks and get someone to get a planner etc for you i would mark out any known excursions, mothers day stalls at school basically anything that as a mum we just do so that your DH or who ever is looking after the kids can just look at your planner and run with it. Also if you have a schedule for the kids write it down.

With DS2 I was admitted for a few days and just stressing to make sure that dH had change to give the kids for the fathers day stall and that he packed the right things for lunch etc.

If you are into reading, craftt etc stock up on some supplies or even invest in a portable DVD player and some DVD's etc. If you have a laptop it will become your best friend as there is very little that cannot be shopped for and delivered to you on line if you end up in hosp on bed rest..

best wishes and I hope you don't end up needing to use this advice.

Between them the pp's have put together a pretty comprehensive list. You hospital bag will be all about your needs and not bubs if bubs comes soon.

I'm going to emphasize CAMERA. One of my regrets is very poor, grainy birth photos taken on DH's mobile.

And depending on the hospital: soap. My toiletries go left at bedrest hospital in the ambulance rush and birth hospital didn't even supply soap . A lovely nurse raided somewhere and found some for me but it wasn't easy.

Hoping bub's decides to stay put and you don't need your bag soon.

Thank you so so so much.

I ventured out today and brought some small Travel Packs of toiletries so that I can have them in my bag without constantly moving things to and from the bathroom. I've grabbed my Breast Pump out and pj's etc. I'll worry about clothes IF I need to.

Funny though, the one thing I grabbed on my way out the door to head to hospital was my camera!!!

The hospital I was transferred to does have a Ronald McDonald House but I was silly enough to turn down chatting with a social worker so I'm not sure if they would put me up or not? I have an appt with my local hospital in a couple of weeks so will bring a list of questions then.

I have put together a list of all of our online banking details, passwords and everything else I could think of that DH may need. I already have DD's school activities typed up inside the kitchen pantry so I can see what I need each morning, so he should be OK with that. I will do up a book of phone numbers for DH as thats one thing I found hard was having to find numbers of people for him in between having injections and pills & consulting with Dr's/midwives etc.

I'm really scared that I have no control over any of this, so I'm trying to just be as sensible as possible and keep clam by keeping things as organised as I can.

Oh and Razman, with the soap!!! I brought some lovely Sandlewood soap today as my hospital also had no soap and I had a roomie who smoked and the smell really got to me. If I end up back there again I'll use my PHI and request a single room if I can - then I can enjoy my nice lovely smelling soap all to myself!!:))

Thanks again ladies, just hoping now my bag gets to collect dust!!! xxx