Almost 34 weeks. Should I start preparing?

Question

Being that I am about 8 1/2 months along now, should I start packing my bags and putting the car seat in one of the vehicles, or do you think I still have a few more weeks before getting the necessary things together? Also, is there any signs that anyone can share through their own experiences that told them they might be going into labor soon. Not the first stages of labor, but just the signs before the first stage? I have noticed that the baby has dropped significantly in my belly, is this a good indication something is happening... possible before I expected it to? I have also started experiencing some cramping here and there that reminds me of premenstrual cramping, but not all that often. Any ideas?

Answer 1

yes times a waisten there are lots of things to do 1 start  a list gather what you need to have i.e. crib car seat ect.

2 wait when you start to feel need to prepare your sub conscious is telling you your hormones ect. are ready

Answer 2

yeah it is time to get prepared. when i started having labor pains, i had pain in my lower back and i dropped my mucus plug. it sounds like you could go anytime i was four days after my due date, and ended up being in labor for twelve hours before the doctors gave me an option of c section.

Answer 3

I would wait until you were far enough along to have a healthy full term baby.  Of course you could pack and put the carseat in now, but I never bothered.  If you went into labor now, or sometime before 37 weeks there's a good chance the baby would have to stay in the NICU for a while.

Answer 4

It never hurts to be ready earlier. It will put your mind at ease knowing that if you went into pre-term labor you at least have everything ready to go at home. It is a lot easier to install the car seat when you are smaller. Your tummy will grow a lot in the next 6 weeks and just be more in the way. Get as much done as you can now.

Answer 5

There's no way to really tell.  But the baby dropping is a good sing.  Also if you are having loose bowls that's a sign.  At 32 weeks I think that's' when I started to get ready.  My car seats are in and I'm packing my bag today.  I'm suppose to be induced on the 4th but he thinks I'll go before then.  Also later on when you get into your 9th month he will start checking for dilation and so forth.  And that will help you out to.

good luck

Answer 6

Yes it sounds like it's coming soon. I had contractions several weeks for hours at a time and had my first 5 days early.  I would have a hospital bag ready because you think you have everything and then your realize you need this, this, and this.  Have the car seat in and ready but cover it with a blanket or something so nothing gets on it. The baby dropping is also a big sign.  So be ready because when the moment does happen all planning goes out the door.

Answer 7

If I were you I would definitely start preparing for your little bundle of joy, it never hurts to get the bags packed and the car seat ready for take off, because really it could happen any time.  As far as signs that things are changing everyone is different.....I remember I experienced very uncomfortable braxton hicks for about 2 weeks and I just knew it would be soon.  Good Luck and Congrats!

Answer 8

A lot of people say the baby dropping is a good sign, but my baby dropped at 28 weeks and my doctor told me it is really not an indication of impending labor, especially if this is your first baby.  It wouldn't hurt to start getting things ready, though.  Make sure the baby's room is together, you have all the stuff you need, set everything up the way you want, etc.  I'm sure you will be more tired as time goes on, so it will be nice to get it done.  You could start packing your hospital bag..I;m sure you will continuously think of things you left out, so it's better to not do that in a rush. I personally wouldn't put the carseat in my car until about 36 weeks, but that's just my opinion.  Congratulations and I wish you the best of luck with your new baby!

Answer 9

prepare all of the important things like car seat higtchair bassinett bedroom and books!!! LOL goodluck

Answer 10

There's really nothing to tell you before you go into labor.  Everyone on here will have different tell-tale signs of going into labor, but everyone gets different signs and sometimes they mean labor is coming and sometimes they don't!!  

I had nothing - not even dilation or softening before I went into labor.  My son was a week late.

As for being ready, you will have PLENTY of time to put the carseat in the car and pack a bag before you even get far enough along in labor to merit thinking about going to the hospital.

Especially if there's a husband around, don't worry about the carseat - make him install it on one of his dashes home to eat.  After all, you'll be in the hospital two days...

What I DO do to prepare is make two lists of what I want in the hospital bag:

Bag for mom/bag for baby

You make it a working list over the next few weeks - if you just pack the bag without this you're bound to forget something.

Also - if something happens and you have to go to the hospital fast, your hubby can always pack for you!

NOTE:  This way you aren't just sitting around with a half-packed bag - there's always those everyday items/favorite underwear, etc. that you can't pack until the last minute anyway!

Answer 11

I started packing my bags the night I went into labor, without knowing I would be in labor because I wasn't even 38 weeks yet! Then with my son I got prepared ahead of time and was waiting and waiting! Then I recently was watching this thing where they spoke of not going to the hospital immediately (I did with my first only because my water broke), but to use that time to pack your bag!! I thought it was perfect cause then you are moving about, getting things going, as well as keeping your self occupied so you don't rush to the hospital to wait and wait!

As for signs, it can be so different, but if you trust in your body, you will know for sure! My son woke me up right before midnight, I waited a little while and then it came to me that he was coming that day and he did! My daughter was different since my water had broken, but I wasn't actively laboring.

Answer 12

YEAH. i'd go ahead and start if you feel up to it, considering the fact that you may be more tired in the weeks to come......

Answer 13

That's a part of the fun stuff..preparing.  when you lose your mucus plug that will be close to the time.