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AIBU?

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Original poster

To go on holiday to Brittany when 37 weeks pregnant

158 replies

catherinemm · 14/06/2014 21:03

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.

OP posts:
ikeaismylocal · 14/06/2014 21:24

I think I probably would, I think going away to France at 37 weeks pregnant when if you did give birth the risk of having a poorly baby is low is less stupid than going to thailand when you are 27 weeks pregnant when the risk of a poorly baby if you give birth is very high.

Ds was late and I'm pregnant with dc2 at the moment and I can't imagine this baby being anything other than late.

The worst thing that will happen is that you will have to give birth in a french hospital and have the faff of bringing the baby home without a passport.

The french hospitals are probably nicer than the NHS hospitals, they would have to be really terrible to be worse.

Billygoats · 14/06/2014 21:25

I'm going against the grain and would yes. Dd was 9 days early and we were travelling when she was born 4 1/2 hours from home. Although if was in England still so I'm not sure about the legalities for you if you give birth abroad.

You will know your own body in terms of how capable you were at 37 weeks lay time in terms of travelling. Some women are just lucky that they don't feel discomfort or 'like a whale' until labour hits I guess. Me being one of them.

Just make sure you check out all the insurance Etc.

RelocatorRelocator · 14/06/2014 21:25

Also you may struggle to get travel insurance and in any case it won't cover you for giving birth so do your homework really carefully on costs and care if you did go into labour.

Bogeyface · 14/06/2014 21:26

Easy pregnancy does not guarantee an easy birth. While giving birth in France wouldnt bother me in itself, the thought of having complications and possibly not being able to come home for several weeks if the baby was ill for example would put me right off.

That and the fact mentioned above about passports etc.

FairPhyllis · 14/06/2014 21:38

Not unless you want to come home avec un bébé français.

No guarantees there would be an English speaking doctor - can you imagine if there were complications and you couldn't communicate?

Plus would you have insurance for you and the baby if born there?

ikeaismylocal · 14/06/2014 21:39

Just think if you did have a baby in France it could possibly get French nationality, very useful if the UK leaves the EU ;)

Needadvice5 · 14/06/2014 21:40

What would you do about the babies passport if it was born in France?!

Surely you couldn't travel back without one?

Original poster
catherinemm · 14/06/2014 21:42

I guess you contact the British consulate, just as you would if you lost yours! I feel like the biggest risk taker ever here . . .

OP posts:
ikeaismylocal · 14/06/2014 21:45

I don't think the passport would be such a huge issue, obviously not the sort of thing you would want to be sorting out in the days after birth but I don't think they will prevent you bringing the baby back to the UK.

Original poster
catherinemm · 14/06/2014 21:48

Just re-read the replies and someone said eu health are card doesn't cover you after 36 weeks - anyone got any links on this as what I have found online says you are covered unless you travel to give birth.

I also think the provider I was thinking of getting travel insurance with will also cover me as long as pregnancy straightforward but will ring them to confirm before making a decision

OP posts:
RoganJosh · 14/06/2014 21:48

You'd have to stay for a few days at least afterwards. Just another thing to consider.

LadyMacbethWasMisunderstood · 14/06/2014 21:49

I wouldn't.

DD1 was 10 days late.

Every baby in our family has been late.

DD2 was born by emergency section after I started haemoraghing at 37 weeks. Up till then it had been an easy pregnancy.

But I did go on holiday with DC3 (DS) at 36 weeks for 2 weeks. We stayed in a chalet near the sea an hour from home and I came back for my midwife appointments. It was very relaxing. Maybe you could find something closer to home.

bigTillyMint · 14/06/2014 21:51

Both mine were late and I LOVE Brittany and speak reasonably good French, but I'm not sure....

What would your worst case scenario be?

MrsMaturin · 14/06/2014 21:51

I would go. They have lovely hospitals in France and the EHIC card should cover any emergencies.

OneLittleToddleTerror · 14/06/2014 21:53

I wouldn't but that's only because I went into labour at 37+3. I am planning for another 37 weeks arrival so will stop working earlier. But your first is late so I think chances are the second would be late too?

LittleMisslikestobebythesea · 14/06/2014 21:56

If you feel happy to go then go, just take your notes and a bag with your stuff.

I went on holiday (in the uk though) at 37 weeks and came back at 38 weeks, even though DS1 was born 11 days early, I thought my parents are with us to look after him, DS2 came 5 days early so I was fine, had over a week after we got back from hols in the end.

If you are happy to do it and are covered, then go!

Original poster
catherinemm · 14/06/2014 21:57

Worst case scenario - giving birth in France I guess and no

OP posts:
ChasedByBees · 14/06/2014 22:00

as what I have found online says you are covered unless you travel to give birth.

Just wondering - since you would be full term, would you need to prove (and how would you prove) that you weren't travelling to give birth?

Could you not consider a holiday in Cornwall or somewhere? Beachy, relaxing but without the stress of having to get a baby who arrives early an emergency passport?

I wouldn't go to France at that point. I had a very easy pregnancy. A less easy birth.

Original poster
catherinemm · 14/06/2014 22:00

One speaking English and my French speaking friends not around to help out! Should say I have a good friend who lives in France who would be 3hrs away (so not close!) and a friend coming with us who speaks fluent French. However am very much doubting now and resenting the timing of the pregnancy!!

OP posts:
Original poster
catherinemm · 14/06/2014 22:01

Proving you weren't travelling to give birth : Not sure, maybe ticket back for before due date?? Surely if you were planning to give birth you'd be there for the due date

OP posts:
Indith · 14/06/2014 22:03

I don't think it is daft so long as you are prepared, so double check insurance etc. birth should be fine with ehic but idoubt more than that will be. ehich covers you like a local but you will need the funds or the insurance for accommodation for your other dcs and oh should you have to stay longer than planned which could happen even with a normal birth, eg you give birth on the last day of the holiday. You will also need to check provision for of things go wrong so extent of cover for neonatal care, repatriation to transfer you or baby to hospital closer to home of stable enough to transfer. If you know you are covered and you don't mind giving birth abroad if necessary then why not? Just pack a baby bag!

MsVenus · 14/06/2014 22:03

No. I stayed close to home after 24 weeks into my 2nd pregnancy because ds came at 26weeks and dd came at 38 weeks.

JKSLtd · 14/06/2014 22:05

Is there no way to go away (even somewhere else) earlier?

Or else find somewhere lovely in the UK, not too far away from home.

I wouldn't, my DC have been born all over the place (though admittedly later each time).

Find something fun to do though or you'll be annoyed when baby doesn't come until 42wks+!

yummymumtobe · 14/06/2014 22:05

You say it's your second pregnancy. Will your first child be going on holiday with you? If you go into labour who will look after him/her? I have also had 2 children. Second pregnancy almost passed unnoticed as I was so busy with a toddler but then at about 35 weeks I experienced tiredness like I have never known. I wasn't huge by any means but I literally couldn't barely put one foot in front of the other. So be prepared that you might not be feeling so bright and breezy by the end. Why not wait until a few weeks after baby is born and go then?

rallytog1 · 14/06/2014 22:05

I feel like I'm going against the grain, but if you feel fine, then i think you should do it. At 36 weeks I just knew the baby wasn't going to come any time soon and would have happily gone anywhere. In the event, dd was born at 42 weeks. Is it something you can decide on nearer the time? You might have more of a sense of how things are progressing by then...