A fluid collection pouch ( 23 ) is made of flexible plastic material for surgical drapes or towels ( 24,25 ). It consists of two layers and includes an opening along which the layers are unattached to each other, and two side edges extending on opposite sides of the opening along which the layers are attached to each other. At least one portion ( 12,13,10,11 ) of at least one of the layers of the pouch includes at least one fold.