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 would go as long as there was somewhere shady to sit at the beach and you've got plans for what to do if you go into labour.

If there's no shade then a walk in the midday heat and sitting on the beach in the heat seems a little risky or foolish to me

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

You do realise it’s only in american tv land where waters break in public with no prior warning, requiring dramatic and immediate transfer to hospital while every person the mother knows or is related to sits in the waiting room for a couple of hours until the baby arrives?

In reality contractions start long before waters break. Even if waters do break you have plenty of time, and will usually be told to go for a walk to get labour started. So worst case is o/p has a bit of a damp walk home, cleans up, calls partner —in 24 hours— when labour finally starts.

@TheOnlyLivingBoyInNewCross
@MaverickSnoopy
@adeline

I don't think its a stupid question at all - seeing as the OP says she is 40W pregnant, we can only project our own experiences... waddling across pebbles, shingle in your shoes, sand between your toes , the inability to sit, stand or walk very far, let alone in heat - so again if the OP is looking for a nice stroll with two dogs, hoying them out of salt water and hosing them down after isn't my idea of 40w fun. But it might be hers

If on the other hand the OP is a serious sea swimmer and fancies an unfettered dip, or has the bonkers urge to build sandcastles, that is another matter entirely

Personally, a deck chair in the shade would be my idea of bliss - and shes unlikely to achieve that on a beach without lugging parasol, smearing in sun lotion, yet more sand sticking to her bits

However, I had forgotten how ridiculously rude some posters are, with so little in the way of imagination.

If you havent gone yet dont go till about 5-warnings are for vulnerable people to stay out of the sun ni the middle of the day

Go! It will be the perfect place today. I used to set my chair up in the shallows so I could lounge around with my hot feet in the cool water. Lovely.

@IAskTooManyQuestions

You asked what she could do at the beach that she couldn't do at home. Surely you can see there are plenty of things that you can do at the seaside that you can't do at home! Off the top of my head:

• paddle in the sea
• swim in the sea
• fish and chips on the pier
• sit in a nice air-conditioned cafe or coffee shop with a view of the sea
• speak to/see other people
• enjoy the fresh sea breeze

You can't do anything like that at home unless you happen to live right on the beach next to all the amenities!

In reality contractions start long before waters break. Even if waters do break you have plenty of time, and will usually be told to go for a walk to get labour started. So worst case is o/p has a bit of a damp walk home, cleans up, calls partner —in 24 hours— when labour finally starts

My waters broke with no warning and no prior contractions. I got a taxi to the hospital and was already 7 cms dilated having had just one contraction en route. We are all not the same.

Hope your at the beach now but if your not when going out alone so pregnant put a piece of paper with emergency contacts on just Incase x

Well it's not actually true that 'contractions start long before your waters break' - my waters broke and I went immediately to hospital (not in an ambulance though!) and was 10cm on arrival, baby (first) arrived shortly after. To be fair I realise that this isn't the norm, and the outcome wouldn't have been much different if I was on a beach.

Fist bumps @mistermagpie

Do it OP and send a photo.

My waters broke with no warning and no prior contractions. I got a taxi to the hospital and was already 7 cms dilated having had just one contraction en route. We are all not the same

Anecdote does not make data. As you say, we are not the same and your experience doesn’t mean anyone else will have the same one.

I usually caveat my comments as this nearly always happens- a poster comes on to say ha! That didn’t happen to me so you’re wrong!

My own mother had 2 hour labours and thinks that is a normal labour. It isn’t. I was in emergency surgery 30 mins after my waters broke without even being in labour but i doubt that will happen to the o/p either.

I was talking generally. Your experience is on the more unusual end. Yes it could happen to the o/p, but a far higher chance it won’t.

Go to the beach o/p.

Do it

And absolutely be prepared to give birth tonight

Defo go. We went yesterday and it was cooler actually, a bit choppy but the sea was so warm. It’s def 30s here in Kent.

I usually caveat my comments as this nearly always happens a good idea otherwise you run the risk of being lumped in with the Mumnetters who think that their way is the only way. Sorry I assumed that of you and we all know what an ass that makes out of me!

Anecdote does not make data. As you say, we are not the same and your experience doesn’t mean anyone else will have the same one.

Yep, all mine I had waters break - as in fore and hind, like Niagara Falls and it kept producing. All were full term and then ..... nothing, not one contraction, all needed induction after water breaking. Meanwhile I had to suffer with an actual towel shoved between my legs (constantly replaced) as maternity pads and incontinence were sodden within minutes. To top it off, once they got labour started everyone wanted me to labour on the bed with big bed wee sheets as the constant puddle around me was an OH&S slip hazard and they couldn’t provide someone to mop non stop - being in active labour and constantly holding a full towel between your legs gets impossible with contractions etc so I just ditched it.

OP, just stock up on water and go to the beach. Water breaking, water not breaking, going into labour, not going into labour- you will be fine and have a pleasant time, much better than sitting looking at 4 walls for god knows how many days to come as you could go over, especially with a first.

40 weeks + 8 went down to the boat on the river just to get cool in a heatwave. Was fine went home, ate dinner went into labour that night. I would go.

Thanks all for the lovely comments and advice. So glad I came down. Made a hole for my belly and it's bliss!

The occasional paddle is cooling me off lovely.

So glad I came down.

Hope you have a great day it looks idyllic.

@Sandybval it doesn't always cool down after 3pm. Where I am the temperature can rise until 6pm.

Thanks all for the lovely comments and advice. So glad I came down. Made a hole for my belly and it's bliss!

The occasional paddle is cooling me off lovely

Couldn't you have just done all that at home?

Looks fabulous as do you! Enjoy this 'me' time before your baby comes!

You can tell its week three of the holidays here as the fact you and your glorious bump are enjoying the beach has made me quite happy!

I did it yesterday. Am 39+3. It was 36 degrees here yesterday. I sat on my beach chair for a bit. Had a sea swim or two. Was absolute bliss.

Today thankfully it’s “only” 27 degrees. Much cooler and more bearable.

Great photo OP - thanks for sharing and enjoy your day!