Hospital Bag/ carseat while traveling in the 3rd trimester

Katm89 · May 2016

hey ladies,
It hit me today that when we go on vacation in July that it is entirely possible for me to go into labor... I will be 35 weeks pregnant when we vacation in Maine for a week and will be 36w4d pregnant when we go to Lake Placid NY for a long weekend. My midwife is fine with us going its a 4 hour drive to these places, so my doula would still come and my midwife plans on sending me with my records to NY just in case... so we were planning on bringing the carseat/ hospital bag to NY. However, my husband doesn't think we should bring the carseat to Maine. His reasoning was that worst case scenario is that my In laws can let us use their car seat and it would be a pain in the but to drive with the dog on both trips with the car seat installed in the car... Maybe I can put it in the trunk idk. What would you ladies do? I'm a FTM so I have no idea when I will go into labor, but no one in my family has ever been "early". Also, when are you ladies opening the boxes of car seats/ pack n plays/ bassinets and packing hospital bags? When should I prepare for that?

Nikkoli98 · May 2016

Idk, maybe in the worst case scenario have your husband run out and purchase the exact same car seat, and return the unopened one when you return home?

Katm89 · May 2016

@Nikkoli98 do you think I can return an unopened carseat without a receipt? It was purchased off my amazon registry... but not sure how I could return it months later... I think its limited to 90 days

Nikkoli98 · May 2016

If you have to purchase a second one and it's exactly the same, you could probably return the first one using the receipt for the second one.

ballofmeat · May 2016

Our pack n play, bassinet, and car seat are already unpacked and assembled. The reason I wanted to get them together early was in case of a defect or missing part that could be taken care of right away. As far as the hospital bag, I started a list on my phone this weekend, but I probably won't pack it until about 4-6 weeks out.

MamaKSquared · May 2016

As far as my bag, I'll probably pack after our birthing class, which we will finish at 34 weeks. We're giving birth at a birthing center and I want to double check with what they recommend me bringing and what they will provide, etc. before putting in the effort to pack and organize everything.

For the car seat, I think for the trips, the trunk would be a good option if you have the space. That way you don't have to worry about relying on someone else to get you a car seat, having the find an identical one in an unfamiliar place when you're already stressed because baby is coming or having to figure out the return process with Amazon.

Fremdschamen · May 2016

I think the chances of going into labour are slim and I'd leave the carseat at home. If you're in an accident on the road, even just the littlest fender-bender, the carseat will be unusable and you'll need a new one.

SkiChic626 · May 2016

I'd personally have the car seat installed, inspected and ready to go. Once the police officer fixed my seat for me I didn't touch it until we had to to switch to the convertible seat when DD was 9 mos. I'm going up to Lake George at 36w, coming home at 37w2d, so I'm in the same boat. I hadn't even thought about bringing my stuff with me, though we have considered that if he's born while we're there his middle name will default to George lol - it's about a 3 hour drive for us. Def going to be installing the car seat and bringing my hospital bag.

Katm89 · May 2016

@SkiChic626 I definitely think its necessary for the NY trip 36w-37w... but should I even bother from week 35-36? it seems like I'm jumping the gun... like people will think I'm silly for having the car seat in my car. Not to mention the dog being in the back with a brand new car seat... drooling and shedding all over it kind of bothers me lol. Haha Oh well!

SkiChic626 · May 2016

Katm89 I personally would, especially being 4 hours away from home, but that's me. I had ours installed around 35/36 weeks with DD. I didn't keep the seat in the car, but the base stayed put - we didn't go on vacation that late in the game with her, though. Maybe just install it then cover it with a sheet or something so it doesn't get dirty.

Katm89 · May 2016

@SkiChic626 Thanks will do.

bananers · May 2016

I think the chances of you going into labor that early are slim, and if you did, you could just buy another car seat. Labor isn't usually the crazy, frenzied mad dash to the hospital like it is in the movies. Most likely, you'd labor at home for several hours before heading in, during which time you could send someone out to buy a car seat. Or someone could get this for you while you're in the hospital. Amazon is usually pretty reasonable with their return policies. I've returned stuff after 90 days before.

SkiChic626 · May 2016

Doesn't Amazon have a 365 day return policy? Or am I thinking Zappos?

Katm89 · May 2016

@bananers I'm not sure if its different because its a car seat and it has an expiration date, plus what a pain in the butt it would be to ship it back... I may just leave it at home when we go to ME bec my niece will also be in the car with the dog in a honda civic... maybe someone can drive to my house to pick up the seat or my parents when they drive up to the hospital can pick up the seat.... since my mother would get in her car from NYC and be passing my apartment pretty much

texasmama2014 · May 2016

1. You will likely be checked before the trip to make sure you're not at risk for pre-term labor. Possibly a cervical check (can't remember when we started those... But I do remember they suck.)
2. I would leave the seat at home. Even a slight fender bender would put it out of commission and insurance doesn't replace seats in most instances, unfortunately. You could maybe pick up a cheap convertible for spare instances which you can use later when you're out of the bucket seat.

As long as you are cleared for travel though I wouldn't worry too much. Would anyone from home come to see you at the hospital even if its far away? If so, maybe they could bring the seat too.

ThisisNumber3 · May 2016

I would leave the seat at home.

Amazon has a great return policy and since it was from your registry you should have no problem returning it. Or have someone bring it up to you if you go into labor.

Stephanie7693 · May 2016

I would leave it at home. Most likely if you deliver that early you will know by then that you are at risk for it. My first was born at 36w, but I was on bedrest for a month before. My second was 38.5 weeks with no warning. So while it's possible, it's unlikely. Worse case senario you can buy a cheap one somewhere to get baby home. It's also possible you could get one from the hospital. I'm skipping my sisters wedding in july, I'll be about 37 weeks. But with my last kid being born in week 38, it's possible this one will come earlier. Being a first time mom you have no idea, but first timers without issues TYPICALLY deliver close to or after due date.

Katm89 · May 2016

Thanks Ladies, My husband said he would return it with amazon so I won't need to worry about it, or my mom could pick it up.

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Hospital Bag/ carseat while traveling in the 3rd trimester

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