Would you go away on a writing retreat at 36 weeks pregnant?

[Greenstone]

I wasn't sure whether to post here or on the Pregnancy board, but I thought some of you writers might be in a good position to comment :)

Earlier this year I was lucky enough to get funding for a lovely writing retreat. However, I since found out I was pregnant, and the only available slot that suits me/they can fit me in is when I'm 36 weeks pregnant . It's about a 3.5 hour drive away from where I live.

I'm wobbling. It feels like the last chance I'll have to really get some work done on my novel, and in the best possible environment (I have a toddler so the quiet time would be nice!). But I'm wondering if at 36 weeks pregnant will I actually be able to focus properly? Will I just be knackered? My last baby came a day before EDD so I'm not overly expecting to go over my dates (though who can tell).

Any thoughts?

[strawberryangel]

I'm not a writer but have had 3 babies, and I think it sounds wonderful!

[Thurlow]

I would say if there is a hospital nearby on the off chance that something happens, and your DH can get there and leave your toddler with someone, and you still feel fit and healthy, and it wouldn't be the end of the world re the money if you can't go at the last minute - then go.

The odds are probably very low that anything will happen at 36 weeks, but you just need to be comfortable with what you'll do if you do feel unwell or go into labour.

But chances are it will just be a lovely relaxing few days away before the baby comes!

[Greenstone]

Thanks all for your thoughts and encouragement :)

I know that part of my wavering is probably to do with intimidation - the thought of being surrounded by important artist types while slow and heavily pregnant (I know: this makes no sense, it's my own issue).

Another part is that it's 5 days, so pretty long, and I'll have to rope in grandparental childcare (DH won't have any spare holiday days to look after DD because he's saving them up for when #2 is born). I think I'd feel OK about asking GPs to take time off work if I wasn't 36 weeks pregnant because I'd feel more like I'd definitely make the most of my time there.

And the nearest hospital looks to be just under an hour away with no traffic.

Oh I'm making excuses to myself now.

I can defer my place. But realistically it'd probably be another 2 years before I got the chance again and then more of a logistical issue.

[Mmmicecream]

I guess it would depend on how tired you'll be. In both of my pregnancies it was like my brain switched off at about 30 weeks and didn't switch back on until I had a 2 month old So, if it had been me I wouldn't have got anything from it at that point in pregnancy. But, you may be quite different of course.

[Greenstone]

Thanks, mmicecream (are you a writer?). This is pretty much what I'm worried about actually. I'm 30 weeks today and can already feel the slide into tiredness and a preoccupation with my various bodily discomforts, and my mind is ticking over with all the planning and preparations yet to do....

I'm leaning towards cancelling at the minute. I might just take the few days I've booked off work (they're before the start of my official maternity leave) and hunker down in my own house to write.

Thanks for all the thoughts anyway :)

[Mmmicecream]

I am a try-hard writer Not published, but am working on my third novel in the hope this one will be good enough to submit (I haven's submitted the others yet as am a perfectionist!)

[Greenstone]

Update is that I've cancelled the retreat. Feel better now that I've made a decision! I just don't think that my head would be at the right place. Another time hopefully!

[Mmmicecream]

That's good you feel better at least!

And you never know what might happen later - I managed a novel with a baby and a toddler. Not sure it'll ever get published, but still did it nonetheless

[Greenstone]

That's really encouraging mmmicecream, thanks I'm about 40,000 words in, there's a huge job of work to be done, but if I can even complete the first draft within the next 5ish months I'll feel content.

[nomdemere]

I wouldn't. DC3 arrived at 36 weeks, took an hour and a half to be born! I was very lucky as a few days before I was on a 5 hour train journey. I would probably have been charged by East Coast for not having a ticket for the new arrival

[Greenstone]

Just saw this message nomdemere. I'm nearly 36 weeks now and glad I made the decision I did. I can see now that I'm really not in the right headspace at all. I'm still thinking about and working on my project, but think I'd feel a bit lost and frustrated with myself on a retreat where everyone else was wafting about discussing arcane literary topics and I was mentally going over the contents of my hospital bag.