Holiday to France at 37 weeks pregnant . . .

[catherinemm]

So, we haven't had a holiday in a while and couldn't plan one for earlier on in the pregancy as though we'd be moving. Move now off and am desperate to get away before the baby comes and before my husband's work will make holidays almost impossible, which is likely from October onwards. We are also a bit on the skint side and have possibility of pretty much free holiday a gorgeous town in Brittany in early august. Only thing is I will be 37 weeks pregnant (I'm 28 weeks now) and in to the 38th week on way home. We'd get there via eurostar and train which has no restrictions on pregnant travel (we'd go that way whatever as live in central london). I wasn't that concerned about how late it was in the pregnancy until I did some googling - most messages on forums seem very against it! I guess I'm looking for sine reassurance that I'm not mad though will take heed if I don't find any. The reasons I think it's ok is: I'm having a very easy pregnancy (still cycling to work etc) it's my 2nd and my son was 17 days late and there's a lot of overdue babies in my family. I also felt very good til about 41 weeks last time and I think it was being overdue rather than heavily pregnant.

[WhoMovedMyVuvuzela]

What time of year was your DC1 born and how hot will it be when you are away?

I was full of energy with DC2 right until the end partly I think because it was so cold.

I am 37 weeks currently and this heat is killing me, I also only really encountered braxton hicks from DC2 on-wards...I had walking to do yesterday and the pain was ridiculous, I was so slow walking in the end. I think you also need to take into account some 'what if's', complications that mean you need an appointment with a consultant etc or what would happen if you were early.

[catherinemm]

Mmmm, winter! Maybe I will feel differently this time though it would be nice to be near the sea if hot rather than in hot and sticky central london which is always uncomfortable in the heat. Damn shame teleporting not invented yet!!

[Eastwiththem]

I'm going to wedding at the other end of the country at 36 weeks. DH doesn't want us to go but otherwise we'd just be sitting at home doing nothing and I'm bored of being pregnant already. Like you we are trying to organise a move so going to the wedding is our only chance to get away from things (plan is to go up early and come home late so we get a few days either side to chill out).

My opinion is that if I did have the baby at 36 weeks, it would be premature so the birth plan isn't going to happen anyway. I'm already starting to struggle with walking (doesn't help that DH is a foot taller than me and power walks everywhere) and the heat, but the plan for the holiday is to just potter about National Trust houses and then eat a huge cream tea in the cafe so it's not exactly high impact.

As long as your DH and DC don't expect an action packed holiday (or are happy to leave you on a bench with an ice cream while they do something more adventurous) then I'd go. Especially as the holiday is cheap so if you do have some weird last minute complication you can cancel without losing much money.

[mssleepyhead]

I think this is a really personal decision and it's up to your what you feel comfortable with. For me, I'm too risk-averse and would be worried about going into labour somewhere I don't know and where I don't know the language and hospital system etc. But if you feel more confident, why not? Brittany can be very rural though; probably worth looking into facilities and what would we do if... before you decide to go. Who would look after your other child, for example?

[tricot39]

Have you checked whether you will get travel insurance cover?

[thenightsky]

I went to Buckingham Palace Garden Party at 37 weeks on one of the hottest days of the year.

I suppose if I was in France I'd be a bit fretty about getting back if I should go into labour. All that queuing for the tunnel etc.

On balance I'd not go abroad.

[Shenanagins]

I would check your travel insurance to see what is covered in terms of medical cover and late cancellations.

i had two easy pregnancies but by week 38 of my second i barely went anywhere as i just wanted to potter in the house and I was overdue again by a week. It was very weird as normally I hate being stuck at home.

[idontlikealdi]

Nope, nope and more nope, same as the other thread (sorry if that's not you). Just too risky unless you fancy labouring and delivering I France, potential language barrier and ant health issues.

[whereisshe]

Why do you have 2 threads?

[MirandaWest]

With DS at 37 weeks id been in and out of hospital for two weeks.

With DD I'd have been fine to travel.

I probably wouldn't do it, but that's how I'd have felt.

[catherinemm]

Posted in pregancy but then realised I'd get way more responses in the other forum, and I need to make a decision relatively soon

[LittleBearPad]

Nope. Had DD at 38 weeks. She had to be induced and was back to back after I sat travelling for hours in a car the preceding weekend.

Second nope is unless you have cast iron and excellent travel insurance then if you deliver early it is going to be a very expensive trip.

[Viviennemary]

It's a completely personal decision. Some people will say great and others no. I wouldn't even consider it myself.

[allisgood1]

I wouldn't travel past 36 weeks. Unless you are happy to give birth wherever you are going.

[MissMilbanke]

I think you are a little bit mad for even contemplating this.

Babies are unpredictable - the fact that late babies run in your family means squat - I had 2 overdue babies then one turned up a month early at 3.5kg but still needed scbu .

28 weeks is a completely different kettle of fish from 38 weeks.

[LBNM19]

I personally wouldn't my first pregnancy my son made an appearance at 37 + 2 you never no xx

[catherinemm]

I considered this as in my mind I am preparing for my baby to not make an appearance until 2nd week of sept and this is early august because of last time but I guess I really cannot rely on that! Plus I have literally hardly noticed being pregnant this time. Damn damn, really want a holiday but guess I should consider fact she could arrive early, though I expect to be sat at home very annoyed by nothing happening during the first week of august.

[icklekid]

I wouldn't - am 36 weeks now but is my first. I think that you would have to be prepared to give birth in France even if you expect to be late....? If your french is good enough and you can relax and do nothing whilst there then go for it if not is devon/Cornwall an option?

[CoolCat2014]

I wouldn't personally, the language barrier if you need assistance or go into labour being the biggest issue. Also if you did give birth early you could end up stuck I'm a French hospital for a couple days, and would have a long trip home with a newborn!

Could you maybe have a holiday in the UK? Then at least you know the language and the system if you need help

[strawberryjam]

I am 36+3 and was planning to go away next week after having xa completely uneventful pregnancy have had to cancel as now have to go in on Tuesday for a scan and iron infusion. So I would say no and book for early weeks once baby is here

[Romann]

Only if you've checked out your covered financially for delivery in France. My ds3 was born at 37+0 (totally uncomplicated pregnancy and he was fine). It's probably much nicer to have a baby in a French hospital than NHS though!

[Shahsham]

Also you need to consider how you'd get the baby back if he turned up early - passport, sling/pram, clothes etc.

I've given birth twice in France and I liked the experience but if you dont speak French it can be daunting. Plus you have to stay in hospital until a) baby is 3 days old and b) baby has started to put weight back on

Also, traveling so late in pregnancy might get things starting earlier!

[Crazeeladee]

If your travel insurance does cover you, which most won't, take a car seat and your hospital bag in case, you would also need to get a passport for baby if you delivered over there, and with the backlogs at the moment, you could be there for a few weeks. You also need to consider the fact that if something wasn't right at delivery, and your baby was in the neonatal unit, as a lot of term babies are, how you would cope with that in a different country and the language barrier. Every pregnancy is different,so don't just assume that you'll go over x

[BikeRunSki]

Thing is, you are pregnant, you will have a baby. Insurance is to make things better, that weren't supposed to happen. Why on earth would they insure you when you are full term pg?


Had you thought that your baby might even have arrived by 37 weeks? Ds was, it's not unusual.

[annielewis]

I travelled to Greece for a wedding at 36 wks with my first into 34 deg heat. We had travel insurance and I was ok with the thought of giving birth there, I reeeeeaaally wanted to go to that wedding!!!!

As it turned out DD was 2 wks late anyway.

If it's any help both my kids were overdue ( I'm from a family of late arrivals as well)

It's a totally personal choice. Would you be able to refund the holiday/tickets etc if you do have baby early? Would you be ok to labour/give birth in France??
Good luck - and have a great holiday if you do decide to go for it!