To go to the beach on my own at 40 weeks pregnant during heatwave?

[SenoraSurf]

I live in a coastal town and usually spend the entire summer holidays down the seafront. Currently waiting to have DC1 and know my summer will very soon be changing for ever!

I want to go to the beach but don't know if I'm being completely ridiculous. It's a 15 minutes walk from my house to the sandy end of the beach (half that to the pebbled end).

I'm a loner (mostly by choice) and DH and family are all at work so don't have anybody to go with.

Any tips to keep me occupied/comfortable down there? Or should I be boring and stay inside with the doggies and drain yet another long boring day away.

I wouldn't find it fun, I'd be looking for a shady park at 40 weeks, but there's no other reason not to go if you want to.

I can’t see why not; just keep yourself hydrated.

You should definitely go, it will be lovely.

25 years ago, I had my DD after a morning on the beach, it was boiling. I left the beach, went home for lunch, my waters broke and she was born that evening. I truly believe that because I felt so relaxed it was such an easy birth.

Have a great day.

Take your mobile phone and leave packed bag at home easy access for anyone else, I think its fine so long as you have phone and reception. Be aware it won't be dignified having your waters break on a public beach and being collected by ambulance but if you are prepared for that then go for it. I would stick to cooler parts of the day myself so early morning till around 11 and the aftr 6 in these temps.

Not long to go!!!

What do you want to do at the beach that you cant do at home ?

What an odd question

Sea. Sand. Breeze.

Presumably, at 40 weeks, you have someone on standby (DH?) to whisk you off to the hospital at any minute ? So does it really matter if they pick you up from home or the beach if you need to go?!

What do you want to do at the beach that you cant do at home?

Eh? What an odd question!

Your baby might not arrive for another 10 days OP, and I’m sure you don’t want to spend that long on house arrest!
Of course go out and about as usual, but be careful in the heat and take sensible precautions. Keep well hydrated, stay in the shade, don’t over exert. And as PPs have said, have a charged mobile phone on you at all times, and a hospital bag ready at home.
If this is your first pregnancy, labour is unlikely to be rapid, so you should have plenty of time to get home for your bag and get to hospital.
Best wishes for your eventual delivery!

I'm only 6 months pregnant and sitting on the beach would be a dream.

Let me live vicariously through you, go to the beach!

Be aware it won't be dignified having your waters break on a public beach and being collected by ambulance but if you are prepared for that then go for it.

Eh? Women don’t need to be taken by ambulance to hospital if their waters break

I’d go!
I’d take a windbreak for shade, loads to drink, swim if the water is flat / calm, and enjoy yourself.
Surely no one confined themselves to a less than 15 min radius walking distance from home?

Lol at waters going: on a beach where loads of people are dripping wet and getting changed? Ideal place

Have a lovely day OP.

Go for it, I was out and about every day at 40 weeks pregnant with my first (no energy with my second). I say keep yourself busy. Only thing I would say is slather suncream on and try to protect yourself from the sun as much as physically possible. I got awful sunburn on holiday when I was pregnant (I never usually burn), I think my skin must have been more sensitive to it while pg. So do be really careful. Sunburn while being heavily pregnant in this hot weather is absolute hell I promise you

IAskTooManyQuestions Wed 24-Jul-19 09:16:20
What do you want to do at the beach that you cant do at home ?

I'd love to see your house if this is your question! 😂 A lovely sandy living room? Waves lapping gently round the kitchen door? A horizon stretching as far as the eye can see where the rest of us have a potted plant and a smart TV?

Do you have one of those cooling towels? A damp one of those draped around your neck will really help.

I had my twins at 35 weeks but for the previous 8 weeks I could barely walk a few steps - if you can manage the walk there and back, do it. Would a cab be an option if you’re not up to the walk?

It sounds like a lovely idea but please make sure you keep hydrated, wear a hat and lots of sun cream. Also ensure your mobile phone is fully charged in case you need to call someone in an emergency.

I'm sure they'll be lots of other people around but it's always best to be fully prepared.

Yep I’d do it. I know some women just start in spontaneous labour like the movies but I think that’s fairly rare. You’ll be fine.

If it was a long journey away then doesn't sound sensible, however in this case it sounds great! Personally I'd wait until it was a little bit cooler (after about 3pm) and have a gentle wander with loads of water. But as you know it well if there's shaded parts etc then I'd go whenever.

I couldn't have stood the heat when I was heavily pregnant OP, but if you think you can of course you should go. Bring plenty of cold drinks, a fully charged phone, a book, some nibbles and perhaps a little spray mist thingy and enjoy.

I'd go! Sitting relaxing on the beach has never been quite the same with kids. 8 years in and I would love to sit and read a book by myself on a beach. Water, suncream, hat and a good book, great way to spend the day.

Go!! I was still going for long walks in the countryside when heavily pregnant (I didn't make it to 40 weeks) with DC1. I got some funny looks but it was lovely to relax myself, and enjoy some solitude before baby arrived. I can tell you I haven't had that degree of freedom since (DC1 is three and DC2 six months) so make the most of every moment!

Obviously just be sensible in terms of sun protection, seeking shade, drinking plenty, etc.

You’re only 15 mins walk away from home, go and have your lovely day at the beach.

I would go! Why is it ridiculous? You're in your home town, not far from home...? I took the tube across London at 40w pregnant to sit an exam - going to the beach sounds much better!

If you feel up to the walk you should go for it.

Personally I wouldn't because it's supposed to be into the 30s today and I hate the heat but YANBU if you'll enjoy it. I woudn't recommend the sea for a water birth though.