My sister is due to give birth to her second child in the next couple of weeks. She’s booked in for a planned section next Friday at 39 weeks but she could obviously go into labour before that. I’m in Devon, she’s in Wales and it takes me about 90 minutes to drive there.
She split up from her partner at the beginning of December and he’s gone completely awol despite promising to stick by her for the birth. They also have a 3 year old. The plan was for me to go up and look after 3yo while she has her section. Then I’d pick her up from the hospital, hopefully the next day and stay for 4-5 days to help her out. Then her partners mum is going to come up to help out.
From looking at the rules it would seem this is allowed but what I’m worried about is being stopped on the way up, especially if I need to get there as quickly as possible. I have visions of me being arrested and the police taking hours to confirm all the details while my sister is in labour and unable to leave her 3yo. TBH I’d even be happy to pay the fine if it meant I could just get there without issues. I know this probably sounds melodramatic but I keep thinking of worst case scenarios.
Is there a way to get a sort of travel permit or something? If I could get my sisters notes or get her midwife to confirm that she wants me to be there and she doesn’t have anyone else to ask? Or could I speak to my local police station and see what they think I should do? I don’t want to waste their time though.
Any ideas? Do you think it will all be ok and I’m just overthinking? Or should I try and get something to show the police in case I am stopped?