travelling and staying in back of beyond at 34 weeks - is it silly?

[drivingmecrackers]

we've been invited to a friend's wedding in ireland & i'll be 34 weeks pregnant at the time. I didn't think it would be a problem but am now wondering whether it's silly - it involves a ferry crossing and a long drive, which I think would be ok but my main worry is that the wedding is about 50mins drive (and that's when you know where you're going, it's rural ireland) from the nearest hospital. (I had a c-section last time)

Does your friend have family in that area she could ask for advice or could you talk to the local GP surgery there?

It is quite common for women to have to travel long distances to maternity hospitals in rural area (always makes me laugh when people here moan about a local hospital being closed down so they have to go to another 15 minutes away!) And home births are quite rare I believe so it would be interesting to find out what normally happens when women go into labour - I guess they go to the hospital asap rather than staying at home as long as possible as they would here.

If you go, make sure to bring your notes and take out travel insurance...

thanks grapefruit. my friend hasn't lived there long but i'm sure she could ask around - i just don't want to create more work for her!
i know people who live there have babies , i'm just being a nightmare city girl who's used to having a hospital 5 mins away!

I think it's wise to cover all eventualities. I know someone whose baby arrived prematurely when she was on holiday abroad - he had to go into special care for several weeks so she had to stay on too and rent somewhere to stay, etc. That's why I suggested travel insurance even though you will be covered for medical care with your E111 card...

god poor thing that sounds like a nightmare

do E111s still exist?! think DH has travel insurance with his bank account

Might be called something different now but yes still exists - worth getting as basic healthcare is not free in Ireland but would be free for you if you needed to see a GP as you are entitled to what you would get in the UK.

Hello.... just passing - but yes they do:

www.ehic.org/?gclid=CK7Xx8-nnpkCFQxHQwod8T7XDg

Nothing useful to contribute on the other issues I'm afraid.

thank you LIO