To go on holiday to Brittany when 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.

[idontlikealdi]

I wouldn't, no way. Sorry.

[Annunziata]

I wouldn't. Will you even get travel insurance at that stage?

[TiredFeet]

My son was late, and all my mum's babies were late, and all my sister's.... My dd arrived a week early

[Iggly]

No way! Not withstanding that your baby will probably be late (sods law), it will be umcofortable as you'll feel like a whale.

[GatoradeMeBitch]

If you're going by train I don't see why not. I would find out where to go and costs if you happened to go into labour there though!

[OcadoSubstitutedMyHummus]

No way would I do it unless I was totally relaxed about giving birth in a random French hospital wher I didn't speak the language, didn't know the protocols and could cover the costs. If you insist on going ahead then you must check out the healthcare and what the e111 will cover and not as French healthcare is largely private and expensive and you will not be able to get travel insurance to giver this.

[Needadvice5]

only you can decide! I personally can't think of anything worse,all that travelling whilst being full term.
no thanks!

sods law baby will come while you are away!

[Waltonswatcher1]

Stoopid ! As my 2 yr old says .

[EatDessertFirst]

I wouldn't. I began 'nesting' at about 36 weeks and being away from home for any period made me tetchy. I was the size of a whale and sleeping terribly (as I had to get up every hour to pee).

Both my babies were a week late.

If you are definate about going, you'll need contingency plans. And good insurance.

[IamRechargingthankYou]

If you're up to it when the time comes I would - the worst that can happen is a slightly early baby born in France instead of the UK, which might delay your return sorting paperwork out. Or in the Channel Tunnel...if it was a quick labour and birth.

[freezation]

No way! My daughter was 10 days early. It's not worth the risk. Would you be able to bring the baby back without a passport? It all seems far too risky.

[OcadoSubstitutedMyHummus]

I would also investigate what giving birth in France is like and post natal care. My understanding is that on the whole it is more medicalised, doctor orientated and meh at best about breast feeding.

[BikeRunSki]

If you have the baby in France, how quickly can you get it a passport to come home?

Or, if it is ill in any way, how long would you happily stay in France for it to get better?

Or if you become ill out there/during labour & delivery?

[tilbatilba]

Agree - a plan B and good insurance !

[Perspective21]

I've just popped on to say all my 3 DCs were born just into week 37, this is classed as term and very normal. Please don't be away from where you want to give birth at this stage of pregnancy. You may be a woman who does almost 42 week pregnancies, but you may not!!

[Perspective21]

Just read you are having an easy pregnancy, I had 3 easy ones but by week 36 your body and breathing and peeing and general comfort level are so different. You may not want to do more than amble about locally.

[WhoDaresWins]

I wouldn't, for all the reasons stated above.

[museumum]

I have an English friend had her baby early in Inverness while on holiday. That was tough enough with a short stay in scbu etc. expensive and stressful. A foreign country with another language? - no thanks.
38wks is full term. I was sure I would go late but went into labour at 39+1.

[WhoDaresWins]

Also, what about your ante natal appointments? With DC2 I went for my routine check at 37 weeks, feeling fine, but when she checked my blood pressure, it was up. Got sent up to hospital, assessed, admitted and had a section three days later. This was after a perfectly normal pregnancy.

[redexpat]

I couldnt get insurance when i wanted to travel at 36w. The blue eu health card doesnt cover you after 36 either. So yes ywbu.

[catherinemm]

Thanks for the responses. Am feeling a bit more wary. Last time I didn't feel like a whale - went on mat leave far too early and ended up working in my husbands bakery with him just to pass the time I was so bored. But I guess it could be different this time. Looks like the European healthcare card does cover you for unexpected birth in France - www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/Healthcareabroad/countryguide/Pages/healthcareinFrance.aspx
And bottom of this page www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/Healthcareabroad/countryguide/Pages/healthcareinFrance.aspx
Feeling a bit torn and annoyed!. Really want a holiday and this pregnancy came earlier than planned grrr

[KERALA1]

Madness. I got eye rolled by parents for refusing to go on a weekend away in mid Wales (we in London at the time) for dads 60th when I was 37 weeks because "first babies always late" apparently. Waters broke on the Saturday lunchtime...

Dd2 arrived at 35 weeks so in my eyes you would be bonkers!

My sister had a holiday at 30 weeks luckily in uk. She had a terrifying and dramatic bleed but could race to the nearest hospital. All was fine but dealing with that even somewhere like France would be stressful.

[RelocatorRelocator]

Totally easy pregnancies here but I had ds at 37 weeks. Just saying.