When did you start packing???

CantWait wrote: Just wondered when everyone started packing for their trip to the hospital. Robbie was 5 weeks early and I hadn't started, was actually planning on doing the following week.

Am planning to do it about a month before this time also. Hopefully no early baby again.

momofajcl replied: I made sure I was completely packed and ready to go at 34 weeks. LOL! Ds#1 was born on his due date, ds#2 was 5 days late and ds#3 was 1 day late.

MomToMany replied:
I was packed about a month before my due dates. DS#1 was 4 days late, DS#2 was 15, DS#3 was 17, and DD was 9 .

booey2 replied: Hi, I thought I had plenty of time and even planned on leaving work 3 weeks early to finish up the nursery and pack and do all those things that needed to get done. Well ds #1 decided he wasn't going to wait til his due date and arrived 2 days after I left my job. I finished working on a Wednesday, started labour late Thursday afternoon and he was born Friday after 12pm. So I wasn't packed and DH had to go home and pack my bag for me. For DS #2 I thought I would be all ready, had the bag packed at 6months. But I forgot stuff because I did it so early, I should have packed a disposable camera because we were still using ours at that time. So needless to say we had no before baby, in the labour/delivery room pics. Oh well I at least didn't want to not have the bag packed. DS #2 didn't want to wait for his due date, he arrived 2 weeks early and I went to work the day he was born and was fine in the morning, by noon not so good, left work at 2pm DS#2 was born at 11:30pm that night ( another Friday baby). That's my story.

supermom replied: With the first one, I was all packed and ready at about 36 weeks. Then I ended up being 2 weeks overdue So with the last three, I waited until about 38 weeks before I got packed. I've been late with all of mine, so I've never been rushed.

MommyToAshley replied: I was bad...really bad. I thought about packing early... but didn't really finish until the day the Doc said I was going to be induced. LOL

supermom replied: LOL
Well, I probably could have waited, because I am "famous" for my lists - I start making lists on my computer when I know I am going somewhere/needing something so that way (usually) by the time I get down to actually doing it, I've got my list to refer to. Sometimes it drives DH nuts, but I (usually) don't forget anything either.....well, except for the one time we went to Kansas City for the weekend and left early - so we didn't dress Anders before we went, we just scooped him up pajamas and all - I forgot his shoes!!!! <ack!!!> That's ok, he got a new pair of Bob The Builder tennies that weekend -

KatieLeigh79 replied: Well we have finally hit 35 weeks and the Dr. told me at last check up the baby turned and is "low" already - so should i find a suitcase I can see me doing it - getting my hopes up and going way late, or i will keep putting it off and wake up some night and go there with nothing packed - im wondering if im not already waiting to long?

Schnoogly replied: My doula told me to at least get a carseat by 32 weeks so I wouldn't be caught without one (her first was born at 34 weeks and she didn't have a seat--had to send a friend to sears to get one! Luckily hers was healthy and could go home with her even though a preemie).

I bought the seat, but I put off packing for a while. I had some things I didn't use often in a suitcase by about 32-33 weeks and then a list of things to be jammed in once it got closer. We brought so much stuff it took DH two trips to the car to get it all! (suitcase, cooler of food for him & doula & me, big body pillow, regular pillow, bag for him, my purse, diaper bag, & birth ball!! The hospital staff knew us as the people with the ball & the giant pillow) I ended up doing a lot of packing once I was actually in labor He was 8 days early.

The ball saved my life though since I couldn't get in the shower (had to stay on the monitor) but I could rock on the ball while hooked up.

MamaMartie replied: I am such a goof. After 2 PTLs, I've got it stuck in my head that if I don't pack my bag, I won't go into labor. I know, it is completely irrational.

With the first 3 I was packed by 30 weeks. But now I am 35 weeks and not packed. I've done everything else though. The nursery is ready, the clothes are clean & in her dresser, the pack & play in in our office, the swing is in the family room, I made child care arrangements for any time of the day or night, I even put the car seat in the car. But I just cannot get myself to put things in a suitcase. it is as if I think she'll see me doign it and think it is ok to come out. I am totally wacko.

I have a list, and I have started putting a couple things out on the dresser. Somehow in my mind that is organizing, not packing.

Maybe I'll ease the suitcase out of the closet this weekend.

MommyToAshley replied:
LOL! Not wacko...it's worked so far!

Hillbilly Housewife replied: Heh heh.... I had NOTHING packed, nothing was even bought. lol! On the Thursday night, I went on a walking/shopping marathon with my DH and my mom, we bought a whack of baby clothes, the baby bag, diapers, toys, sanitary pads, hospital stuff...etc etc etc.... we must have spend well over 1000$, walked for 3 or 4 hours..... and my water broke about 8 or 9 hours later, I gave birth 3 1/2 horus after that. lol!!!

maliksmommy replied: I was packed about 4-5 weeks early but very upset that I didn't get to use all my stuff I packed to pass the time while I was in Labor. I had brought music and movies but we were only at the hospital for 3 hrs. before Malik was born. I was stubborn and wanted to stay at home because I was sent home the night before and wasn't about to get sent home again so I waited until my husband made me go to the hospital:)

5littleladies replied: I always start packing about 4 weeks early but never seem to finish until it's time to walk out the door. lol I always worry that I will pack something I need.

dolfinrse replied: I started packing about 4 weeks early, and just added stuff as I went along.

dolfinrse replied: Oopps double post.