Jessica Simpson Checks Into Hospital -- BABY TIME?!?!

It's been 87 months in the works ... but IT'S FINALLY HAPPENING ... Jessica Simpson and several members of her family arrived to an L.A. hospital this morning ... because it's BABY TIME!!!!

Jessica, her mother Tina and her sister Ashlee just arrived to the hospital ... along with Eric Johnson's parents.

Jessica has looked like she's been ready to pop for weeks ... but the little Johnson inside her wasn't ready to come out.

It's POSSIBLE Jessica has already given birth ... but we just don't know yet.

So far, no word from Jessica's people.

9:00 AM PT -- Toldja so ... Jessica and her fiance just announced the birth of their baby girl Maxwell Drew Johnson.