Flying to America and driving there for the first time whilst 34 weeks pregnant

[Flip2theflop]

My wife and I along with our four children have booked a holiday to Florida in august. My wife will be 34 weeks pregnant and is the only designated driver going on the trip. I am worried about the distance and time spent on the plane and then the added stress of driving in a foreign country setting off a premature labour. Our package holiday does come with some insurance but would that cover the costs of the delivery or would we have to pay a massive bill in an American hospital? Just panicking at this point as I am worried that something is going to go wrong. If anyone can shed some light on these enquiries It will be very appreciated . Thanks

Tbh whatever the insurers say it's just not worth the worry/risk. I'd just arrange something else and relax.

we are currently communicating with the booking firm to see what can be done i.e. Moving the holiday forward, checking insurance coverage and added insurance regarding my wife's situation. She is mainly worried about the driving so I am going to concentrate on arranging transfers instead. I understand that having the baby abroad would not be good as of the mammoth cost (that has increased per post). Again thank you for advice

Just something else to add but Florida is incredibly hot in August, not somewhere I would want to be at 34-36weeks.

One other thing to bear in mind is the possibility of problems at immigration. You might be asked for evidence that you have sufficient financial resources to support the family if you have to stay longer than planned.

OK, it doesn't even sound like your wife is going to enjoy this if she has to be responsible for all the driving and is stressed about it already. Shit happens, plans have to be rearranged, your kids will cope. Cancel FGS.

I had a baby in the US at 34 weeks recently (we were living there so slightly different). My son's final bill was $200k and mine was around $15k I think (fortunately for us it was covered by insurance). We were also lucky that we lived close to the NICU as I was discharged after 2 nights and had to travel back and forth to visit the baby. Parking was $16-30 every time I visited too.
My previous two babies were full term so it was a big surprise when my waters went.

It's not just giving birth that could be expensive either - going in for a quick check because of a change in movements could cost $500-1k alone if they need to scan etc.

I had 4 children without incident. All normal deliveries, no issues. No 5 decided to turn right towards the end of the pregnancy and the hospital insisted on a caesarian as soon as they realised.

You may run into problems at immigration. Don't they have a rule in the US (I may be wrong) that a baby born on US soil gets automatic US Citizenship? That being the case, (a) they won't want to run the risk of a British family having an anchor-baby, and (b) if the baby does come early he/she would then be a US citizen and you would then have issues leaving the country with them.

Quite honestly, as others have said, I really wouldn't take this risk. You need to either try to move the trip forwards or backwards (May, October, February half term?) or stay in Europe. And/or you need to pass your driving test before August.

Found this link
help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/882/kw/Visit%20while%20pregnant

Being turned away at immigration is a real possibility here.

Florida in August is extremely hot, not something I'd want to be doing in late pregnancy. Cancel now! Do the airline know she'll be 34 weeks when she flies?

My gut feeling would be a no at that stage. I'm no expert on the costs/ insurance/ immigration issues but I am 36 weeks pregnant and have SPD so bad this pregnancy when I didn't have a twinge last time. Even getting in a car is agony. I also have HG and was admitted at 34 weeks with a UTI and dehydration. My complications are not rare and can crop up during any pregnancy. If I was on holiday right now I wouldn't be leaving the hotel room.

If you do go, make sure you have decent insurance cover. There are specialist policies that cover travel when pregnant. I looked into this a lot because I went to France at 35 weeks, most insurers only covered complications arising from child birth - i.e. If you had a normal natural birth then it wouldn't be covered! I used this policy www.ravenhallgroup.co.uk/pregnant-travel/ which would have covered giving birth naturally plus complications and gave cover for the baby once born in case they need additional care.

As others have said I think the best option is to move it earlier or cancel, but the above should be useful if you decide to go.

Ok ok lol!! I have decided to cancel the trip to the states and I have managed to cancel it with only a loss of £200. (The amount means nothing compared to the possibility you are all rite and something goes wrong). Instead I am now looking into a short trip to Italy 🇮🇹 in may when my wife will be in her 2nd tri not her 3rd. Therefore it will be a lot more enjoyable for all of us and you lot can finally breath lol 😂

That sounds like a much more realistic plan. I hope your family enjoys the trip.

PHEW!

So glad you cancelled! I was coming on to say 4 kids, 34 weeks pregnant, only driver, florida in August.....that's not a holiday for your wife.

Florida, what about Zika? They have a mosquito eradication programme but I went last year and despite bathing in DEET still managed to get bitten (and you need to be careful about what strength of DEET you use when pregnant. I would be amazed if you can get travel insurance to cover your wife at that stage of pregnancy let alone anything to cover child birth. I'd cancel and arrange something else for earlier in pregnancy and yes, I agree with other posters if you won't be able to afford to go next year because of the baby you won't be able to afford the cost of an uninsured birth.

Sorry you've crossed posted OP. Glad you cancelled!

Had it been a plan....... then yes I would agree, if you read an earlier post then you would see I stated that I wasn't lucky enough to have all information i.e. Pregnancy when booking the holiday. But thank you again for your post

Am sure the trip to Italy will be much less stressful for all of you!
Hope you have a great time.

Good! Well done and enjoy your trip :-)

Good Lord. What were you thinking?!? Florida weather in August is absolute hell, even in the best of circumstances. Your first question shouldn't have been whether shed'd cope, but rather what's a more sensible alternative?