Dear Dilemma... advice appreciated!

So glad you went HM. One of my best friends got married when I was heavily PG with DS3( about 7 weeks to go) and we very nearly didn't make because DS2 was ill.

Anyway we did go and I think I cried more than half her family purely for the fact that I was so glad I made it. She looked amazing and it was a beautiful. I would have hated to miss it so I know how you feel about not missing it for the world.

I expect you got just as much attention as the bride too, I know I did.

That's brilliant news Hellomama, so glad you made it.

HelloMama SO PLEASE YOU HAD A GOOD TIME

I went to dh's Xmas work do on a boat trip when I was 39w. We took the labour bags and my notes with us, and both our mobiles, and had a great time.

Go ahead and enjoy yourself.

BTW, many cultures consider it to be incredibly lucky to have a pregnant woman at a wedding!

I'd go too - so ling as there was a nmaternity hospital somewhere in the region - check out the telephone number in advance if you can. And as someone has recommended take your baby car seat and notes with you in advance. We stayed with friends when I was about 37 weeks and we just took everything with us - even through in a couple of nappies and a baby gro. We also moved house same week!!! And we organised to go out for a huge family meal on my actual sue date too. LOL!

DD ended up being two weeks OD so really glad we did go.

See how you feel on the day you would travel. If you really don't want the hassle, then stay at home and relax. If you do desperately want to be there but you're worried about giving birth, go but take your notes and hospital bag and first stage car seat ? surely some relatives could drive you back when your db is a few days old? Could you book train tickets that wouldn't have to be used on a particular train ? I mean do book a seat but if you miss the train you haven't wasted your money? Ask the booking office ? if it's your home town you would probably use the tickets at some point.
Head engaged doesn't necessarily mean much, my ds's head was engaged for weeks yet he was 8 days after due date. First babies are often 'late'. Very few babies turn up on their alleged due date; something like 5 per cent. 37 to 42 weeks is 'term'. After all, medical science doesn't actually know when you conceived.
I went to a work function on my due date; was very entertained by the thought of going into labour in a roomful of doctors (GPs don't deliver babies any more so they were all terrified!). Really enjoyed myself and everyone was very sweet about looking after me. But it was just across the river from the hospital at which I was giving birth so a lot simpler than your situation.
My best friend's sister was due the day of my bf's wedding at which we were both bridesmaids. It was fine, nothing happened and she had a lovely time.
Good luck whatever you decide.

Hellomama were you an early baby? If you have siblings were they early? Any siblings with kids that you can check dates with? I just ask because in my family babies come two weeks early at the latest. My mum was an early baby, so was I, so was my sister, and her baby, and mine. If the professionals think you will deliver early it might be worth asking a few questions to see if you can predict it? If I had gone to a wedding 10 days before my due date I'd have had a week old baby with me!!

Message withdrawn

Message withdrawn

You are planning on going by train?!! - not sure I'd want to do that because, as you say, if you did give birth (unlikely) how and when would you get back home? also, how long is the train journey - will you be able to get into the loos?!! it may seem funny but if there are delays on the train and you need the loo, what will you do cos I am little and not pregnant and I can barely get into a train toilet!

i agree with pph. you don't need the stress and say it is making you nervous. i can only think people here who are urging you to go had easy 3rd trimesters. i've got 5 wks to go and i feel like s*e.

If you follow our advice .... looks like you are going .... hope you have a nice outfit

Erghh - I am sorry I meant "...if you do it will arrive when you are at the wedding..."

I'd go - if you don't the baby will be late and if you don't it will bound to arrive when you are at the wedding - but if it does you can always make your excuses and leave and drive back to london. Very few women have really quick 1st births. If you go when you have the 1st twinge then you have time to go home have a bath and then go to the hospital. If you don't go you'd regret it and if you have the baby at the wedding - well it will always be a talking point /

Go! My first was 10 days late and my 2nd was on time and engaged for the last 4 weeks of my pregnancy. I went to a convention that I'd been looking forward to all year the day before I was due and went into labor at the convention and insisted on finishing the tour of all the booths before leaving. As my 1st had been a 40 hour labor, I figured I had plenty of time. We got stuck in London rush hour traffic leaving the convention and it took 1.5 hours to get home. My father was in the back seat panicking as I was driving (parents from usa and didn't want to drive on the wrong side of the road) and had to keep stopping dead in the middle of traffic to let a contraction pass . We even stopped by my house to pick up my dh before going to the hospital. I had the baby 2.5 hours later.

pph - that's the whole point .... when you think that it's getting boring / tedious and that a party is the last thing on your mind .... that's the time "retire" ....

You'd be amased at how many of my friends felt that they needed to check up on me .... we had our own little party !!

Go! Ds' head was engaged 6 weeks before my due date, and he was 12 days late. What were you when you were born? That is often a good indicator of when you will give birth. And if you do go into labour, it will be a good story to tell everyone at your baby's 18th, and would really make the wedding unusual! Seriously though, see how you feel, and if you feel well enough, then go and enjoy yourself!

Go, take your notes and first stage car seat with you and enjoy yourself.

I'm going to sit on the fence. I'd tell the friend that you'd like to go but please could you reserve the right to decide not to go the day before since it all depends on how you feel. She should be understanding, especially if she's a good friend. If you feel great, go; if you feel like something's happening or you're too tired, don't.

I am the second voice of dissent - OK so one maternity unit may be pretty similar to another, but what about the consequences of being stuck 200 miles away a couple of days after birth - can't say I would have been in any state for a 200 mile journey for a fair while after birth. You should be OK 10 days before due date (touch wood,cross fingers, salt over shoulder!) but you never know....

just crossed posts with princesspea head - I disagree. I attended weddings at the end of both of my pregnancies and worried that I would feel fat and frumpy. instead they did me the world of good, dressing up and "forced" into relaxing and socialising. Two nights in a hotel gave me a new lease of energy just when it was all getting too much ( first one I was about 7 months I think and second I was 4 days away and overdue by ten days - had thought i would be taking a new baby!!!)

As everyone else has already said - Go, take your notes and check out the nearest hospital, make sure you know of someone who is not drinking and relax, enjoy yourself. Don?t sit at home all miserable missing it just because you "might" be early. Both of my babies heads were engaged ages before they were due - Ist one arrived on due date and second was just over two weeks late so not a great indicator in my book.