I packed a bag with just a few absolute essentials that I knew I wouldn't have readily available while I was giving birth, like breast pads, maternity pads, a comfortable change of clothes, some soap and toothbrush/toothpaste, and nappies, baby clothes, etc. I also put together a birth box with everything I planned to use during my home birth, like snacks, candles, essential oils, TENS machine, towels, blankets, my hypnotherapy CD, 1 nappy and vest for baby to go into after birth, etc. so I'd have all these to hand when I needed them. I didn't need things like breast pads or maternity pads right next to me while I was giving birth, nor a change of clothes, so I didn't want all those typical hospital bag extras in the way. So for me, packing my birth box and then a separate 'just in case' bag was really reassuring. I packed the hospital bag probably around 32 weeks and just put it away somewhere so I didn't have to look at it or think about whether I needed it. Some people don't like to pack anything, but for me, it was important that if I needed to transfer, that the transfer process was a quiet, calm and stress-free as possible - and that meant I didn't want to be shouting at my husband to grab this thing or that thing and put it in a bag. I liked knowing the basics I needed were stored away and someone could just grab the bag and go if we needed to without me stressing about anything I might have forgotten. I had a lovely home birth and didn't need the bag, but it was nice to know it was there just in case. I plan to have another home birth next time and I'll do the same again.
