Going over to Belgium to give birth, how late should I go?

[Gemmitygem]

Just wanted the wise MN-er thoughts.

I'm due to give birth in Belgium, due date is 12 October. Before that I'll be in the UK (I live in Central Asia which is part of the reason for all these complicated arrangements).

I was thinking of going over to Belgium (by car, about a 4 hour drive) at 37 weeks. Do you think this sounds about OK?

Any advice appreciated!

[suzywong]

No

sorry but I don't. I would go at 33 at the latest. Just in case, you never know.

[alexsmum]

don't understand why you are going to belgium????

[olivo]

Gem - will the ferries let you go that late? Maybe you should check because i believe that they are similar to the airlines and may not let you go so late ie- after 34 / 36 weeks.

[pupuce]

There is definitely an insurance issue that you need to look into. I think I'd travel by 35 weeks latest. Can I ask where you plan to give birth in Belgium ?
I am Belgian and live in the UK and would MUCH rather give birth in the UK than Belgium! The care is better in the UK and the choice is greater.
Private Belgian clinics are of course cleaner!!!!

[pupuce]

I meant travel insurance.

[lummox]

i'm British but live mostly in France and have decided to have my second child in the UK (where i had my first).

the journey to where we are staying in the UK is about 3.5 hours door to door.

i will be heading over at 36ish weeks, as my ds was two weeks early.

the way i thought about it was that although i don't want to have the baby in france, that is about personal preference rather than because I think that it would put me or my baby at any risk. so if the worst comes to the worst i will have the baby here (obviously, i have checked out where to go/what would happen if i went into labour early), but the very strong chances are that i will get to the UK fine and be sitting around waiting!

sorry - bit of a long one. good luck whatever you decide.

[Gemmitygem]

thanks for tips..

pupuce I'm living and working in Central Asia, about to fly home (at 30 weeks). They closed the maternity unit where my mum lives, and the nearest hospitals are not great and a long way away. I have relatives in Antwerp (Belgium), and decided to give birth there, and I must say I was very impressed by the care I had so far there: the hospital was really clean, they had a progressive, woman centred approach, 1 on 1 midwives, you have a designated obstretrician who looks after you, birthing pool which you can actually use, mobile epidural, plus you stay in for 5 days afterwards being seen every day by the breastfeeding consultant and physio, in your own private room with bathroom, and they help you with the baby at first. It also doesn't cost that much, anything like what a private hospital in the UK would (for example the ultrasounds, blood tests etc and 20 min chat with the obstetrician cost 108 Euros) but I am insured in any case..

Hmm, but maybe 36 weeks is more realistic, just in case.

[Gemmitygem]

thanks bb!

Actually I quite want to stay in the hospital for a while, just recovering and getting used to the baby.. I don't want to rush home, as I'd have thought it was enough of a shock having had the baby and it would be good to have some kind of halfway house before going home without a clue!