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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

2 car hour journey at 37 weeks pregnant

34 replies

Mammie81 · 17/11/2010 08:28

We are going to visit my grandparents at the weekend in norfolk. We live in north London so looking at a 1.5 - 2 hour car journey. Its only one night.

We are taking the hospital bags and enough clothes with us for a week in case I go into labour and have to stay there. Oh and my mums coming so both my birth partners will be there.

Thats not unreasonable is it? The hospital there can only be better than our local one (2nd worst in London and closing next year) and besides, nothing might happen.

DP wont tell his family we are going away as they'd try to stop us... [hmmm] Makes me feel like Im totally crazy!

OP posts:

kreecherlivesupstairs · 17/11/2010 08:32

I think you are doing all the right things. you've prepared well and Norfolk is lovely. Are you sure your child will want to be known as a swede basher for all his life though? My DS was born in Norforlk and for some reason that's what she is known as.

NewbeeMummy · 17/11/2010 08:33

You'll be fine, my only concern would be being uncomfortable for the drive, but I was huge.

Original poster

Mammie81 · 17/11/2010 08:35

Im glad you agree. It made me laugh when he said they would try to stop us! What will they do, take my car keys??? Im nearly 30!!!

I'll be comfy, I love sitting down

OP posts:

elsiemarley · 17/11/2010 08:36

Not at all U, especially if the hospital is better....perhaps DP's family would tell you not to go because they wouldn't be in the thick of it if you delivered in Nolfolk (I'm a tad cynical clearly).

Original poster

Mammie81 · 17/11/2010 08:36

Ive never heard swede basher... I quite like it! Even more reason to go!

OP posts:

PrettyCandles · 17/11/2010 08:44

Perfectly fine.

Even though that is a journey you might normally do in one go, this time make sure you stop for a puddle and a stretch halfway. Sitting still, with legs bent, is tough on a very pregnant body.

Have a nice time

Quenelle · 17/11/2010 10:03

Just factor in lots of wee stops to the journey time.

Poshpaws · 17/11/2010 10:07

It's fine. My Fil lives in Devon and I did the 3.5 hour journey when I was 38 weeks pregnant with my 3rd (had done it before with 1st and 2nd as well.) As long as you make sure you are comfortable and factor in lots of stops (which I had to do anyway with 2 other small children ), then all should be fine.

Fontsnob · 17/11/2010 10:29

We drove up to Scotland when I was 37 weeks (7hr drive) and I was fine. Sat on my giant pregnancy pillow the whole way up. We did get a lot of "you don't want to do that" from family before we went though, which was indeed quite annoying. It's only because they care though.

sapphireblue · 17/11/2010 10:31

Personally I wouldn't, but that's because I had my DDs at 37+1

It'll be fine. And if anything does happen, you will be well prepared. Don't forget to put baby's car seat in the back of the car before you go

lalalonglegs · 17/11/2010 10:34

We did a four hour drive at 38 weeks - it was fine and, like you, I packed some birth things (including my pool in a box). It would have been quite good if I had given birth while away as we were staying with my in-laws so there would have been lots of help on hand for the new baby plus my older children. The baby did turn up a week early but I was home again by then.

VinegarTits · 17/11/2010 10:35

i was still doing a 2 hour commute to work and back every day right up until 39 weeks when i was preggers

why do his family think they could stop you anyway? are they the Mafia?

trixie123 · 17/11/2010 11:14

i will be doing a 5 hr drive to my sister's wedding at 38 weeks. They have hospitals in wales right? you'll be fine..

classydiva · 17/11/2010 11:46

Whats wrong with a two hour car journey? Pregnancy is not an illness, I was jumping fences in the middle of a motorway, worked up to the week before.

Jeez you having a baby, not got terminal cancer.

theywillgrowup · 17/11/2010 11:55

thoughts just as vinegar,loads of women do along journey each day heavily pregnant,

have a great time though

TryLikingClarity · 17/11/2010 12:15

I went on a plane from Dublin to Aberdeen (around 1 hour) at 35 weeks. I live in Belfast, so had to sit for 2 hours on a bus to get to airport.

Was no problem.

You'll be fine. You'll be in a car, not a submarine you can't get out of.

Have fun :)

DancingThroughLife · 17/11/2010 12:19

Me and DH drove 8 hours to an Aberdeen wedding when I was 36 weeks. One stop all the way (steel bladder me )

I got a lot of "You're either brave or stupid" type comments, but you know your body so it's not anyone elses place to comment.

Trixie, not only hospitals but running water and electricity

ProfessorLaytonIsMyLoveSlave · 17/11/2010 12:22

Perfectly reasonable, and Norfolk and Norwich university hospital is apparently the best in the area (SIL just had baby there this morning).

peppapighastakenovermylife · 17/11/2010 12:23

Trixie no sorry - we all give birth amongst the sheep here

MaudOHara · 17/11/2010 12:53

Like Vinegar I was commuting up to 39 weeks with DS; and DD at 37 weeks - less with her as I finished on the Thursday afternoon and she was born on the Friday morning

Lots of wee stops and you'll be fine

MusieB · 17/11/2010 13:23

I visited my family for Christmas (5hr car journey from home) at 38 weeks. Took all the hospital and newborn stuff (incl carrycot and carseat)- car packed to the ceiling. Just as well DD wasn't born until we returned home as there would have been no room for her plus all the kit!

CarGirl · 17/11/2010 13:24

I went for a day out to meet with friends 2 hours drive away a week overdue and with my 3 younger dc in tow, I packed my notes and tens machine...........

diddl · 17/11/2010 13:26

If it´s a better hospital-can you stay until you give birth?

How lovely to still have GPs whilst pregnant

Showaddywaddy · 17/11/2010 13:30

I live in Norfolk, at 37 weeks I went to London for a week so obviously I think it's fine. You could drive home in early labour anyway if it's of average duration.

Whereabouts will you be? Just so I know which hospital you think is better than this terrible one in London?

I gave birth at the Norfolk and Norwich hospital...

Lizcat · 17/11/2010 13:40

I drove myself at 38 weeks on a 7 hour round trip to see my Dad, who they thought would not live to see my baby. No Loo stops 1 hour at hospital back again. Fortunately the doctors had it very wrong and he's still here 7 years later.
You've also got one of the best hospitals in the country Rosie at Adenbrooks half way back.

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