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I'd take all of my hospital crap with me and leave it in the car.. I gave birth at 35.5 weeks unexpectedly, and didn't have anything packed yet..So I'm all for packing early!

I was in this exact situation- went 1.5 hours away at 36 weeks. I had PLANNED to bring the car seat only. I figured, everything else, I'll make do on the slim chance that anything came up (it didn't). But I didn't want to have to buy a new car seat to bring the baby home in. There was a Walmart where I could buy PJs, newborn clothes, whatever, so I didn't stress about that.

Then I got overwhelmed with packing and forgot to bring the car seat anyway.

I'm paranoid and OCD so I'd better be safe than sorry! The good thing is if you pack it now, then you're just done & ready!

@youboots: Your doctor is probably going to tell you not to travel more than 1-2 hours away at that point.

@SweetiePie: If you have room you could throw in your hospital bag.

I know two people who delivered at 36 weeks. What's the harm in bringing it all? You'll feel better.

I would have the car seat installed regardless as it's better to get that done when you're not in a rush and my bag would definitely be packed. However, whether or not I would bring my bag all depends on how far away I lived from the hospital and how much room I had in the car. I don't think I used anything from my hospital bag while physically in labor. I take it back, I wore a pair of flip flops that I brought (induced in November in Chicago) so as long as you weren't too far away from the hospital, it would have been easy to have someone get my bag.

@SweetiePie: Labor can take forever, but I do think a lot about my one friend whose water broke at 36 weeks and three hours later she was holding her baby. Life can come at you fast

Like someone else said I was going to bring the car seat when I traveled 3 hours away at 38 weeks but forgot it. Nothing happened with me. But we were just away with friends and her water broke at 32 weeks and she had nothing with her. Not a big deal when she got there but tough telling her DH what to go home and get.

I'd bring whatever I planned on having at the hospital with me and I'd also be doing a little research in case I couldn't get back into Manhattan in time. I tend to prepare for the end of the world scenarios, though, so take my two cents with a grain of salt!

@SweetiePie: I can't believe it's almost time!!!

@SweetiePie: I would definitely install the car seat. Probably the only thing I was so glad to have was my own pillow, which is probably unnecessary for most people! But the boppy can totally double as a comfortable pillow.

Can I say that I'm jealous that you're hanging out on a beach soon? And Yay babies!!

I didn't. I figured someone could go out and run to the store if need be and baby came early. And for the first part you're just in hospital clothes anyways.
I traveled with my husband for his interview about 4 days before giving birth (within a week of due date) so he could be there if baby was born, then I had a hospital bag.