Izziwotnot cream gift cot bed blanket. Unless you give birth by a planned C-section, you'll never know exactly when your baby will be arriving, but you should have your hospital bag ready well before your due date. The NHS advises to pack it two to three weeks before. Finding the balance of how much to take can be tricky, especially if you're a natural over-packer! It’s a good idea to pack an extra bag with spares and leave it at home, which your partner can bring in if needed.