Advice on traveling late in pregnancy

Famousamos1231 · January 2012

I plan on talking about this with my doctor but when I will be 37 weeks pregnant DH's fraternity is hosting a large anniversary celebration in our college town which is about three hours away. We are starting to discuss whether it's even a possibility to go. Whether that's him going with out me, us going together or staying home all together. It's hard for me to know how I will feel when I am 37 weeks but I do know that I won't go if my doctor says no. If she says it's okay I am just curious to hear from others who have been pregnant if they would make such a trip at that point. I am very hesistant to go at this point for several reasons. I think three hours is a car will be hard for me, I don't want to buy a formal dress that I will wear once and never use again (most likely) and while this sounds dumb I just don't have much desire to spend an evening when I am that pregnant with a bunch of DH's fraternity brothers who will be partying and drinking all night long. And my last question is would it be crazy for me to send DH and stay home?

alliapistor · January 2012

I may not be the norm, but I was perfectly comfortable at that point. (Honestly, I was perfectly comfortable at 42 weeks though so I'm probably not a good gauge.) And I would have been fine going somewhere 3 hours away.

The dealing with drunk people is another issue though. I went to an all weekend, all you can drink softball tournament about 1.5 hours away in August heat for 2 days straight at around 39 weeks and honestly the annoying drunk people were the worst part.

If you go, I would get a hotel very close by so that you can leave early if you want to but your DH can stay and party on.

melissainabq · January 2012

I wouldn't do it. You never know what that stress would do to you/your body at that point. I would send DH, though, and just relax at home.

Fraux · January 2012

When I was pregnant with Logan and went about 2 hours away at 36 weeks, my doctor wouldn't give me the official okay to go because he was covering his rear end. What he did do is tell me that if I was going to go away, to take a copy of my records with me just in case something happened.

I think it will depend on how you feel. I was always up for any get away at any point in my pregnancy. It might be nice to get away before the baby arrives. If you do decide to go, I would def have a plan to leave and go stay somewhere peaceful if you get tired of the drinking and partying.

Almost forgot to add, that there's nothing wrong with sending DH and you staying home if you don't feel up to/wanting to go.

katiedom · January 2012

I traveled 4.5 hours away from home for a wedding exactly a month before Carter was born. I made sure to take lots of breaks during the car ride, and take it easy the whole weekend. I had no problems, and my dr had also given me the OK to take the trip. I agree with some of the other girls....it really depends how you feel. I had a great pregnancy so it was an easy choice for me. As long as you are going someplace with a hospital nearby, you will be fine.

naylon511 · January 2012

I would not, only because I never go to DH's fraternity stuff

But, even if I did, I probably wouldn't. I'd let him go, and I'd spend the time enjoying some time to myself.

mrs.dilligaf · January 2012

At 36 weeks, I was 0-0 at the doctor appointment. At 37 weeks, she was born. I felt fine up until my water broke.

Is this a trip DH could go on alone?

amybyrd · January 2012

I went to denver for a class at 36 weeks. My doctor was kind of wary but my inlaws lived there and she said if anything happens get to a hospital. The car ride sucked but my friends stopped often. I ended uo spending a lit of time sleeping in my room instead of doing some of the activities because they were too much.

Soon2BMRS615 · January 2012

I wouldn't go. I had zero signs of being ready or going early, and Benjamin was born at 38wks 5days. My MW had told me she thought I was going to go late bc of how high he was previously.

Whether or not to send DH depends on who you have living close by. Again, not the norm, but my labor was quick and had I listened to what the Dr's/MWs say about when to go to the hospital, he would have been born at home. I don't remember if you live close to your parents/sister. Maybe if DH goes, somebody can come stay with you for the weekend.

rockymountaingirl · January 2012

I think if you're feeling fine at that point and you Dr. gives you the ok, I'd go. I drove to Minnesota over Thanksgiving weekend at 35/36 weeks, which is a 13 hour drive. I felt perfectly fine in the car. Actually, the drive was the most relaxing day I had in a long time. I didn't have a single contraction while driving and I got some much needed rest, it was great to spend the entire day off my feet. Whenever we stopped for gas and bathroom break my pelvis was really achy when I got out of the car, but that was really the only discomfort that I had.

As for the party, I would only go if there were places to sit and still socialize. If it's going to be lots of standing, I wouldn't want to go. Also, like someone mentioned, if you have the option of leaving early while your DH stays longer, than I would consider going. As for dressing up, just wear something comfortable, like dress pants and a nice shirt, I don't think anyone would criticize you for not wearing a formal gown.

If you happen to go into labor while there or driving, being 3 hours away from your hospital most likely won't be a big deal. Labor usually lasts a long time, especially early labor. And if your DH does go by himself, chances are he'll have plenty of time to get home. But if he's going to be drinking, then that's not really an option for him to quickly come home.

Jennrs · January 2012

I felt great at 37 weeks. We were doing a lot of travelling at that time for family Christmases and I never had an issue besides the occasional discomforts.

To me it sounds like you don't really want to go, so if I were you, I would probably just stay home and relax :-)

Mrs.MillerJune2008 · January 2012

I still feel great physically - very minor discomforts. However, there are a lot of women on my birth board who are extremely uncomfortable all the time - so you just don't know. But I agree with Jenn, your post makes it sound like you really just aren't interested in going regardless. If you don't want to go, I wouldn't stress about trying to make your DH happy by going. Let him go and have a good time; maybe discuss what the plans would be if you were to go into labor before then. If he has to make reservations etc. does it include up front cost? Is he willing to eat those costs if you go into labor early etc.

Rangergal9 · January 2012

I was advised to not travel more than an hour away after 36 weeks when I was pg with Abby. Plus I don't think I could have sat in a car for 3 hours anyway!

And my DH went away for the weekend when I was 37 weeks pg, so I would probably send him and just enjoy some alone time...lol

aflowers · January 2012

After going in to labor at 37 weeks with my first, I will not be going anywhere farther than work and back once I hit 36 weeks. I know multiple people who had babies at 37 weeks or earlier. I would definitely talk to your doctor. I wouldn't be comfortable being that big and in a car for 3 hours either.

Famousamos1231 · January 2012

Thanks for all the opinions ladies! I will see what the doctor says. I would like to see some of our college friends who will be there from out of town but I am just really worried about not actually being able to have much fun if I am feeling crappy. We have to pay up front and would lose it if we don't go so I am going to have to make a decision soon. DH might be going to this one alone.

Advice on traveling late in pregnancy

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