to want to drive 160 miles to visit a friend at 37+5?

[Bathlee]

Good friend lives 80 miles away. I want to visit her and her baby. She doesn't drive and her baby is little so she's not ready to brave a long public transport journey yet.

I feel fine driving... would you drive 80
Miles away from home once you were full term?

Madness.

I wouldn't. Leave it until later and your baby is born

I did and I would again. Baby was late anyway. If she has a tiny baby soon you will also have a tiny baby and not want to drive so it’s probably your best chance for a while.
But I did a 2 hour train journey to go to the theatre at 39 weeks and went to my work Christmas party at 39+5 so maybe I’m not the best one to ask.
I also didn’t have a hospital bag at 41 o’clock so ow and my husband had to go home and pack it.
Just have a contingency plan. I had family nearby and would have gone to a different hospital if needed.

I think the fact that you have posted this question, tells me that you suspect you shouldnt

So long as you have a sensible plan and know where hospitals are on route, and are comfortable in the car for that period of time, go for it!

Yes I would. Things like that wouldn’t faze me though.

I would.

It's not that I suspect I shouldn't, it's just that I have absolutely no idea! I really want to go and feel fine to. I don't feel like baby is nearly here but then how do you ever know?

It's more that I'll be 2 hours away, on the tiny chance that baby does happen to come on that day...

I'm having almost the exact same issue, except it's my sister that has just had her baby! I'm 37+4 today and have decided not to on balance. Though I have had one premature baby (labour started at 36+1 with no prior warning) so am probably a bit cautious due to that!

If you're happy to do it I'd just say to make sure you research local hospitals for where your friend lives (I'd guess they can probably help there if they've just had a baby though!) and also all hospitals along the journey. Make sure you have your notes and hospital bag with you just in case too.

Chances are it'll be fine, but be prepared!

No I wouldn't. Possibly if OH was with me, but not alone.

I definitely would, if you feel well, why not? I drove right up until mine were born, literally in one case (not a recommendation ).

@Howhot OH won't be at the birth anyway as he is stationed abroad so that doesn't make any difference. It's more the idea of being away from the hospital as I'm consultant led and have had a tricky pregnancy...

I think I'm going to go... I feel fine! If baby comes I'll have to go to a different hospital and take it from there.

I would go too. Just take your time and plenty of stops if you need it. Listen to your body and you'll be fine

good luck for when the baby comes

I would. I did in fact. We live in the South West and we went to London for the day when I was 39+3. I took my notes with me just in case. Baby was born at 40+1, so I was back in plenty of time.
I also remember not buying concert tickets at the beginning of the same pregnancy as the concert date was when I was 36 weeks. I was in a rotten mood all day on the day of it because I was absolutely fine. I may have kicked a kitchen cupboard in temper

Bathlee fair enough, I was more thinking at least having someone there who could drive you home if you started getting niggles and felt you didn't want to drive back. Remember to take a car seat with you just incase but it'll probably be fine

I wouldn't. I had DD at 37 2 days and didn't even have a braxton hicks!