Travelling to parents for christmas

[anne74]

Hi there,

I will be 35 weeks on Christmas Day and my husband is recommending that I go up to my parents for Christmas as he will probably be working. To go to my parents means an hour from my home to London Kings Cross on the train and then 2 hours on the train to York. My dad was moved into a nursing home last week and so my husband feels that I must spend as much time up there as possible.

I'm a bit unsure about doing this journey at that stage in the pregnancy and would be grateful for your thoughts. I'm planning to finish work on Christmas Eve and I'm due on Jan 29th.

If I do go, I will probably book a first class seat so that I can have as much space as possible but I'm still worried about the effort of the journey and being so far away from my hospital and husband in case there are any problems.

I'd love to know what you think.

xx

I'd be inclined to go for it - although there's a teeny risk of going into labour at that stage, it's really really small. And assuming you don't get any major SPD problems or similar between now and then, I wouldn't think there'd be any problems doing the journey.

But, on the other hand, I had a very trouble free pregnancy and was fit and active right up until giving birth at 42 weeks, so I'm not best placed to give the negative side!

I would see how you feel physically a month or so before, as there's no benefit in booking the train ticket before then, but if you feel fine, why not?

It's a tough one. If you go 2 weeks over you'll be kicking yourself that you sat around at home over Christmas twiddling your thumbs.

Maybe leave it until the last minute to commit (i.e. book a ticket that can be cancelled) as you won't really know four months ahead how you will feel in late pg. I would have had no problem myself (I was digging a new flower bed and assembling wardrobes a week past my due date), but everyone is different.

If you do go, travel light, take a wheely suitcase, and don't be afraid to ask for help lifting/on stairs etc.

And they do have hospitals in York, you know!

If you went into labour then and you or the baby had to spend time in hospital, would it be a major deal being in York?

Thanks for your replies and thoughts. If I went into labour in York or had problems while I was up there, my mum would be there and would look after me and I'm sure my husband would be able to get there eventually. It would just take him a while.

I guess I thought I should be near my hospital as I'm consultant-led due to a history of thyroid cancer and at the moment they are keeping a close eye on me. They did say however that if my bloods don't go too out of range (getting them done today) throughout the rest of my pregnancy that they would consider me low risk for labour so I guess so long as I have my maternity notes with me it should be ok.

I was just trying to plan ahead so that I can get cheap tickets for the train as they are likely to get very expensive for that period. I know it is difficult though as I won't have a clue now as to how I'm going to feel in 4 months time. My only problem so far has been exhaustion which has yet to let up (18 weeks tomorrow).

Appreciate your thoughts.

xx

I would buy the train tickets if you can get them cheaper. In the event you don't use them you can get most of the ticket price refunded. In my experience it gets very dull sitting around waiting for the baby to come so a change of scene and some good company may well be a welcome break

I would go. I went to Norfolk which is a four hour drive from home when I was 35 weeks last time. Was a bit reluctant but all was fine and got quite a bit of rest which was ace as at home there wasn't much rest to be had! Good idea re the first class ticket as comfort is so imporatnt at that stage and a train is the best so that you can go to sleep and go to the loo whenever needed. Can you send any luggage up before then so that your not having to lug it around when you change trains at Kings Cross.