Holiday at 33 weeks - would you and where?

[Clare123]

We are expecting our 3rd (surprise) baby, and because of school holidays the only time we can go is when I am 33 + weeks, so would you go abroad and where would you go?

[Lollyheart]

No I don't think I would go aboard, but I am going on holiday at 37 weeks, my last 2 dcs came at 38 and 39 weeks so I'm hoping this one stays put until it's due date at least

[BikeRunSki]

I did, North Yorkshire. We live in W Yorks. We were only 2.5 hours from home.

[2and1ontheway]

I would go on holiday at 33 weeks (am 35 weeks now) but nowhere that involved a flight or very long car journey, nor anything that would require me to rush around keeping them entertained/ safe more than I would do at home... Depending on the ages of your kids and budget somewhere Centre Parks or holiday park like, or a UK countryside holiday, or alternatively a "holiday at home" with days out to whatever is age and interest appropriate to your DC - whether theme parksor petting farms, zoos, museums, theatre/ cinema etc. if your DH is prepared to do the running about and going on rides with the DC, could be just as enjoyable for them.

You could go abroad safely if you stick to destinations with good health care systems (plenty of places have better health care than the UK...) and don't stay off the beaten track, but as there is always the tiny chance of premature labour you wouldn't want to be stuck in a foreign hospital, no matter how good the care, for weeks and weeks due to being far from home and the expense of DH and kids staying there with you or the choice of being separated from them if they had to go home without you and baby if insurance didn't cover them staying until you got out!

I live overseas but wouldn't travel back to the UK during pregnancy for the reason just mentioned - not the available health care but the not wanting to be far from what is home for me, and from my older kids, if baby came early.

SO yes holiday, but within maybe a 3 hour drive of home - you can still make sure your older kids don't feel deprived of a holiday. We went to Austria so DH and DC1 could ski when I was 28 weeks but it is only a 3 hour drive from us!

[nicolamumof3]

no i wouldn't personally travel abroad at this later stage tbh. But we are going to cornwall when im 33w at the end of May as baby due at beginning of Summer hols we thought would be easier to holiday before than with a newborn and two very sleep deprived parents!!

[Leilababyno1]

I went to Centre Parks at 33 weeks, am now 36 weeks...but wouldn't go abroad- I personally think it's a little too risky, up to 30 weeks possibly but definitely not after this point...It's a personal choice though.

If you do choose to go abroad, maybe drive to France or Eurostar somewhere in Europe??

[thisisyesterday]

yep, i would and have! we went to southern spain

[Wafflepuss]

My DD arrived unexpectedly at 33 weeks...really glad I wasn't far from home. In wouldn't travel this late in pregnancy but I guess once bitten twice shy and all that.

[reallygrumpy]

I'd definitely go on holiday but if you're thinking of going abroad there are a few things worth checking out:
Will your travel insurance cover you if you have the baby early? It's also worth having a European healthcare card which entitles you to reciprocal medical care.
Will airlines take you? Some have a 32 week cut off, others have a 34 week cut off and you'll need a 'fit to fly' letter which you can get from your midwife or GP (think they charge for it).
What local medical facilities are there?

We've just booked a week's hol abroad when I'll be 27 weeks and I'm a bit concerned about whether I'll be uncomfortable on the flight which is 4 hours so that's worth thinking about too. If you do want to go abroad but don't want to fly then France might be a good option. We've been to northern France alot with DD and have always gone on the Eurotunnel which is a great way to travel with kids.

Enjoy your holiday!!!

[LadyGoneGaga]

Not quite as later as you but we are going at 28 weeks, returning at 30 weeks. It is my second and first was on time. We are going to Crete. Will make sure insurance etc is all sorted.

[SnapFrakkleAndPop]

Not unless you're fluent in the language of where you're going and have excellent healthcare cover on your travel insurance.

Not to scare you but someone on my antenatal thread was planning a trip to Paris at 32 weeks, ended up in hospital with PE the day before and had her baby a few days later and he's still in the neonatal care unit. That could so easily have happened while in Paris....

On that basis I would only go within the UK but there plenty of lovely destinations even though they're not abroad :)

[FeralGirlCambs]

I have a trip booked at around 31 weeks - to the Basque Country (S. France / N/ Spain) by Eurostar and TGV. Have made sure travel insurance covers pregnancy and premature birth, that EHIC card is up to date, and my French is good, Spanish acceptable. I don't think I'll be fancying flying / dealing with an airport by then. This is my first pregnancy so I might be being unrealistic / mad but there's only one way to find out. [Reckless emoticon] Made sure of getting flexible tickets in case I feel rubbish nearer the time and want to cancel. Happy holidays!

[ng1412]

I went to Europe for a long weekend at 33 weeks. I found it completely exhausting and I would not do it again, the simplest things like going for nice walks were ruined as I could not go very long without either finding a toilet or finding a bench to sit down on!

Flight was pretty grim too, no special treatment and people barging into you. Very stressful.

[BerryLellow]

No. But then I have a history of early children so it would be daft.

I'd be inclined to stay in the UK and make sure I didn't have to do very much

[beijingaling]

I did. At 31w we drove the length (Palermo, Sicily, to Milan) of Italy over a week. Apart from needing the loo frequently it was fine but pregnancy didn't really slow me down generally. I felt exactly like myself but with a smaller bladder. I had health insurance but not travel insurance. Flying from China to the UK was fine as I wasn't in economy but Heathrow to Italy was very uncomfortable for the sections of the flight when the seat had to be upright.

At 33w I went to Hong Kong & Guangzhou for the weekend (about a 3 hr flight) and again it was completely fine.

I would and probably will do it again.

[CherryPie3]

I personally wouldn't but my babies threaten to come early and wouldn't take the risk.

My cousin however travelled to fuerteventura (sp?) whilst 33wks with twins for 2weeks!! Her doctor/mw had to approve it tho.

xx

[MonkeeMummy]

We're on our third, too, and going on holiday when I'm 32 weeks. It's only a 4hr flight and my mw has given her blessing. Managed to get full travel insurance for me and bump with www.ravenhallgroup.co.uk/. Lovely company and will insure pregnant mummies up to 36wks provided you're in good health. Can't wait...

[chinateacup]

Thanks for the insurers name MonkeeMummy sounds like there are a few of us who really need a bit of sun before the new arrivals arrive!

[neverlookback]

im going at 32 weeks to spain, its only 2.5 hour flight, mw said it would be fine, this is my 3rd baby, both have been 2 weeks late! its our own villa so no one will see me hugeness in a bikini! ive got american express ins and they have no limit on how late in pg you travel. All the posts above have made me a bit nervous but this was the only time we could go too good luck x