https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 19 May 2026 15:30:40 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/babys-arrival-before-being-ready#post-341709 Mon, 15 Oct 2012 15:49:23 +0000 Mrsbells 341709@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I also worried the baby would come early to the extent that I put my hospital bag in my trunk weeks in advance. This turned out to be a great move because even though I went past my due dat I had complications and got induced unexpectedly and it was great that my hospital bag was already in the car </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/babys-arrival-before-being-ready#post-341686 Mon, 15 Oct 2012 15:41:44 +0000 lovehoneybee 341686@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>FWIW I didn't pack a hospital bag until the night I was in labor...about an hour before we left for the hospital. I did, however, have a list of every item I wanted to put in there, so all we had to do was run down the list and throw it in. The only thing I really had ready ahead of time (for the bag) was the folder with my insurance card (in case I needed it), birth plan, and call-list. </p> <p>Really, the rest is just details...except the car seat, that's important...but if need be can be done at the hospital...some of them even have techs there that will check it for you (ours did). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/babys-arrival-before-being-ready#post-341660 Mon, 15 Oct 2012 15:27:15 +0000 shopaholic 341660@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I love all the good tips from all the moms here!<br /> I am kind of a list junkie though and need to be prepared for things, so I would do a list by priorty. That waybyou can check off things in the order of importance, and hand off the unfinished list to the hubby or other family members if u need anything else and the baby comes early. Best of luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/babys-arrival-before-being-ready#post-341646 Mon, 15 Oct 2012 15:19:33 +0000 SusieQ 341646@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Our baby totally arrived before we had a chance to do a lot of things on our list (like pack the hospital bag, install the carseat, buy cloth diapers, and fulfill our baby registry among other things). She was born at 37 weeks. </p> <p>My water broke at 12:30 a.m. but I wasn't having contractions and we had to go in within 2 hours because even though I had my group B test done earlier that week the results weren't back. So we slept for one and a half hours, then quickly packed a bag (going home outfit for me and baby, nursing bra, toothbrush, hairbursh, two pillows, gatorade, birthing ball, iPad (for watching movies if labor was long), iPhones and chargers, and the boppy) and went to the hospital. Baby was born three and a half hours after we showed up at the hospital. We thought it would take longer since she was our first, but she came quick! The ONLY things we used during labor was the extra pillows we brought and the gatorade right after I delivered. </p> <p>The thing is, for labor, you don't really need anything. I even forgot my id and my insurance card and the hospital didn't care. After labor you can send your husband home to get whatever you think you need. Really, less is more in this situation. </p> <p>About 24 hours after I gave birth, my husband went home to shower, sleep for two hours, install the carseat, and grab my deodorant, shampoo, and flat iron. He was only gone for about four hours and me and baby slept almost the whole time he was gone. </p> <p>The registry fulfillment and buying cloth diapers didn't happen until baby was a month old (she's 7 weeks now), but it really wasn't a big deal. </p> <p>Also, being a bit effaced doesn't necessarily mean anything. I was 1 cm dilated and 50% effaced at 32 weeks with baby very low and made it to 37 weeks (long story as to why I was checked, but I chose not to be checked again for the rest of my pregnancy). My ob said that SO many women walk around 1 to 3 cm dilated and 50% effaced for weeks and weeks before giving birth. She said she has had women like that who ended up having to be induced and women who are not dilated at all and 0 % effaced give birth the next day! </p> <p>Basically babies come when they are ready. But it's nice if you're totally ready when they decide to come :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/babys-arrival-before-being-ready#post-341615 Mon, 15 Oct 2012 14:59:49 +0000 Pink Champagne 341615@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had my baby at a little over 36 weeks... so we were NOT prepared. I had, however, always felt from day 1 that he would be an early baby. So if you have that feeling.. get ready. :)</p> <p>Pack your hospital bag NOW. Toiletries, comfy sweats/tank for coming home, extra clothes (I would say two sets) for DH, toiletries for him, coming home outfit for baby- put it in a bag NOW. I honestly think those are the main items you need to bring- anything else is just extras. </p> <p>Install the car seat.</p> <p>Make sure you know where baby is sleeping when you bring LO home, and have that ready. We had to have a bassinet overnighted to us because we had no where for DS to sleep when we came home! </p> <p>Nursery, nursing bras, etc. etc... that stuff can seriously wait. You're going to be at home, do you really need to be wearing a bra? I seriously would just whip my shirt off the first few weeks because I was at home without an audience and it was hard enough figuring out nursing. But I like to lounge bra-less, so it's whatever your preference is. :)</p> <p>So in summary: Hospital bag packed, car seat installed, and place for baby to sleep when you get home. Those are top three IMO. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/babys-arrival-before-being-ready#post-341540 Mon, 15 Oct 2012 14:28:30 +0000 creativemomma15 341540@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Don't stress too much! My DS surprised us at 36 weeks and we were not ready! I was making a list of last minute things to pick up at Target that day when my water broke! I threw whatever I could think of in a bag for me, grabbed some basics to throw in a diaper bag and my DH put the car seat in the trunk of our car. Our nursery wasn't finished yet and I hadn't gotten things that I had wanted for me in the hospital (comfy pants, nursing tanks, etc) Looking back it was all okay. My mom was awesome and picked up what I thought I needed and we made it work otherwise. </p> <p>Good luck and enjoy these last few weeks! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/babys-arrival-before-being-ready#post-341498 Mon, 15 Oct 2012 14:13:52 +0000 MamaBehr 341498@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My second LO arrived at 37 weeks and I was NOT ready (when my water broke I cried because we weren't ready!). My bag wasn't packed and my Mom, who was suppose to come to watch DD while I was in the hospital, was across the country, and I don't even think the pack-n-play was set up for him to sleep in! It was stressful at the time, but it was fine. Anything that I forgot (which was a lot) DH got for me. And, the carseat just needs to be installed when you take baby home. So if you go into labor and it isn't in the car, no biggy! Your DH will have a day or two to get that done :)<br /> Moral of the story, don't worry about it! If your LO comes and you aren't ready, you don't REALLY need anything in the hospital. It's not like you are going to a foreign land, just having a baby! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/babys-arrival-before-being-ready#post-341486 Mon, 15 Oct 2012 14:08:02 +0000 wheres_c 341486@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm feeling a little anxious and overwhelmed too. I'm a little behind you guys, but I was told baby may make an early appearance.<br /> The biggest issue for me is that I'm not even sure what NEEDS to be done. Installing the carseat is the obvious one, and packing my bag - but what else? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/babys-arrival-before-being-ready#post-341440 Mon, 15 Oct 2012 13:50:46 +0000 Baby Boy Mom 341440@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would suggest just tossing the car seat in your trunk. That way if you don't have time to install it, your hubby can always do it in the hospital parking lot before you come home. Not that I have experience with that or anything... ;)<br /> Also, for some reason the last couple days before I went into labor I became super chill about everything. I call it the calm before the storm, and from some friends I have talked to, it seems pretty common. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/babys-arrival-before-being-ready#post-341433 Mon, 15 Oct 2012 13:48:07 +0000 sorrycharlie 341433@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I totally thought she'd come early and had my to-do list done by like, 37 weeks...but I kept adding things to it in a nesting panic, and she ended up coming on her original due date anyway. No worries! Put your list in order of what you NEED done versus what would be NICE - such as, install carseat and don't stress about bleaching the freezer (in my case. lol.)</p> <p>and actually - we didn't install the carseat until we were leaving the hospital. we had the security guard do it because he was certified! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/babys-arrival-before-being-ready#post-341426 Mon, 15 Oct 2012 13:46:15 +0000 Periwinkle 341426@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Also, @Jesslc, I love your view on what the baby only actually needs. You are so right about that and I know I psych myself out by all of the "extras" that we talk about :) Thank you for that important reminder! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/babys-arrival-before-being-ready#post-341423 Mon, 15 Oct 2012 13:45:19 +0000 Periwinkle 341423@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am loving all of your support and reassurance! I have been feeling so anxious lately and by the time I come home to check things off the list, I am exhausted and need to sleep.</p> <p>@Yoursilverlining, @highwire, @jesslc- great suggestion about ordering online. I have gotten a few things that way but have a list of many little things that I can get more easily in the store. Also, I am hesitatent about buying nursing bras online as I am not sure how they will fit. Tomorrow might be a day when I stay home from work and run some of these important errands. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/babys-arrival-before-being-ready#post-341410 Mon, 15 Oct 2012 13:41:42 +0000 SleepyMonkey 341410@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Meggo5: @highwire: hah I JUST ordered my nursing bras too. I'm 37w4d today and my hospital bag isn't packed yet either. I have made a list of what should go in the bag, but haven't gotten around to the actual packing yet. Our nursery isn't even close to being done, but I feel like the only things that baby really needs are some clothes, diapers, a place to sleep and a car seat and me/dh! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/babys-arrival-before-being-ready#post-341399 Mon, 15 Oct 2012 13:36:28 +0000 yoursilverlining 341399@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had a feeling my LO would be early and during 37/38 weeks was a couple of cm dilated and almost 100% effaced. My OB ordered extra ultrasounds so I ended up seeing her 2x a week for the last few weeks and each visit she would say she did not expect to see me again….then I’d be there for the next appointment! LO was both 2 days late; who knows how long she would have stayed put if I didn’t have a scheduled c-section! So; try not to stress too much because you never know :D</p> <p>That said, what about getting the most essential items done quickly – like the car seat because you can’t leave the hospital until you get that done. Can you order nursing bras and items online, so that you don’t have to make an extra trip to the mall?<br /> If you are feeling the urge to pack your bag; can you do that tonight (except for your makeup and daily items)? If you live near the hospital, it isn’t totally necessary to have a bag packed in advance, though its always helpful. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/babys-arrival-before-being-ready#post-341392 Mon, 15 Oct 2012 13:32:06 +0000 mrsmenow 341392@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Make a list and start with the things you NEED. Carseat in the car you will take to the hospital is #1. Even if you don't have your bag ready, you won't need it until after delivery anyways, DH can always grab the things you need.</p> <p>That being said, I am only 30 weeks and have been making lists and doing things too. I have a lot of anxiety about being due so close to Christmas (EDD-Christmas Eve) and not having things ready for my DDs. The lists do help so I feel I am getting somewhere:) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/babys-arrival-before-being-ready#post-341385 Mon, 15 Oct 2012 13:30:40 +0000 DillonLion 341385@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Meggo5: I'm due 11/23. I just ordered the items I need for my hospital bag that I didn't have yet (nursing bras, makeup remover wipes) so I'm really excited that they are on the way now. </p> <p>Our nursery isn't finished yet either, but it is SO close. And I know DH can go in there and bang some nails into the wall and hang stuff up...and then it will be completely finished so we are really close there but if she has to come home to a nursery with naked walls, it isn't the end of the world. </p> <p>My MIL is ordering our stroller/carseat this week, so that is finally able to checked off the list and is something we definitely need ASAP. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/babys-arrival-before-being-ready#post-341380 Mon, 15 Oct 2012 13:27:47 +0000 Periwinkle 341380@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@highwire- I know! It's the craziest feeling! I am totally OK with the nursery not being put together yet (which it is basically not) but I just feel like I have some major things like our bags, the carseat, and even just getting to the mall to buy some nursing bras! What's your due date again? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/babys-arrival-before-being-ready#post-341378 Mon, 15 Oct 2012 13:27:18 +0000 DillonLion 341378@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Meggo5: Smart! That's what I did. I made a big list, and then assigned myself 1 or 2 tasks for each day. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/babys-arrival-before-being-ready#post-341376 Mon, 15 Oct 2012 13:26:23 +0000 Periwinkle 341376@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Artbee- I have just felt a pretty big shift in how I feel and I am feeling I now need to get ready! We have just not had the time to take care of any of the basics and now it's upon us. I am trying to devise a list for each night of the week so I can check some things off my list and at least be able to enjoy the next few days/weeks until baby is here. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/babys-arrival-before-being-ready#post-341375 Mon, 15 Oct 2012 13:25:05 +0000 DillonLion 341375@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ha I was just coming on here to write a post similar to this! I just ran into a friend of mine and she looked at me and goes "You won't make it to your due date". I was like "OH gosh, don't even say that. I have so much to do!"</p> <p>I'm just trying to keep on getting things ready as best I can and hopefully as much of it will be done as possible before LOs arrival, whether she comes sooner or later. If the walls are naked in the nursery, that's not necessarily a huge deal. I'm trying to prioritize and make sure the most vital things are taken care of and hoping for the best. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/babys-arrival-before-being-ready#post-341361 Mon, 15 Oct 2012 13:18:32 +0000 heffalump 341361@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If it makes you feel any better.... my doctor kept saying that she didn't think she'd see me at my next apts and my baby would come early blah blah blah. She said this from 37 weeks on and my LO didn't come until her due date exactly. </p> <p>We did all that stuff at 37 weeks because I also started freaking out when the doctor said that. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/babys-arrival-before-being-ready#post-341352 Mon, 15 Oct 2012 13:15:49 +0000 Periwinkle 341352@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am 37 weeks today (yay!) but have a very strange feeling like this baby might be making an early arrival. I had my 37 week checkup today and the doctor also thinks that I might not make it to my due date, although she did not have any sense about when we might actually be able to meet our baby. I am not yet dilated at all but am somewhat effaced as the baby's head is extremely low (the doctor stressed this).</p> <p>Of course we are anxious to meet our baby, but I am also so nervous about baby coming sooner than expected. Above and beyond wanting the baby to grow as much as possible before birth, I am no where near ready in terms of the logistics. We have not yet packed our bags (I seem to be really hung up on this) and we still have to install the carseat which we are hoping to be able to do this weekend, if baby stays inside.</p> <p>Has anyone felt this "crunch" right at the end? Also, has anyone had an experience with baby arriving before you've had a chance to pack your hospital bag and take care of some last minute details at home? I am getting very anxious and feel like it's crazy to be so worried about the details like the hospital bag, but I have just not had the time to do anything of late with wrapping up work. </p>