Holiday at 34 weeks - would you?

[dairymoo]

DH and I are gagging for a holiday - nothing special, just a bucket and spade type thing with our twin 3yo DDs. Thing is, if we got a last min deal to leave next weekend, I will be 34 weeks pg.

Is this just silly? I'm just thinking that it will be our late chance to have a bit of a break before DC3 arrives in early November.

Has anyone done anything similar? If so, where did you go?

Depends where you are going! If you are flying, different airlines have different policies about when they will let you fly, you may need a dr note etc. However, Cornwall etc - absolutely go! We want to have a few days away with our twin 5yo DDs before this bubba, have to go in half term, and I will be almost 34 weeks, so Cornwall for us!

Yes, I'll need to lok into that. Would pref like to get some sun - possibly Spain/Greece/Turkey - but first I need to convince DH to part with cash!

A holiday at 34 weeks is a wonderful idea. My DH and I went away for a few days together at that stage and it was PERFECT. A really good chance to reconnect and have dates before the wee one arrives.
Go for it.

Sounds like a great idea.

Just check with the airline and get a doctors note and health insurance, and make sure insurance covers baby should s/he make an early appearance and need special care.

I took my DD1 to visit my sister when I was about 34 weeks (an hour plane ride away) and it was fantastic. People were really helpful and it was lovely to do something fun together before the baby arrived.

I think you need to decide if you are okay with giving birth wherever it is that you are going and bring a hospital bag just in case. Babies do arrive on their own schedule not yours. That being said, I had a lovely weekend away when I was about 34 weeks pregnant with my DS. Stayed in a hotel with good beds, and knew where I would go if I went into labour unexpectedly. Have fun!

I just flew from UK to Paris and Montenegro at 32 weeks and had no dramas at all. I wouldn't hesitate going somewhere else in 2 weeks time but I am having a relatively pain free pregnancy. I checked the airline policy and neither required a fit to fly letter but I got one from my midwife just in case.

It was lovely spending some time together before the baby is born and it was nice coming home knowing I only have a few weeks of work left. It was what go me through the last couple of weeks - knowing I had the holiday to look forward to.

I took an hour's flight to London from Europe at 35 + 3 weeks. Best thing I did. Just needs a bit more planning so you have the right paperwork.

Absolutely second what splashy said and would add

• take your notes, blood gp card etc. and your EHIC card (assuming you are going somewhere in the EU).
• maybe find out name of local maternity hospital beforehand for peace of mind (try posting on the overseas mums board for info - should be some expat mums in Greece / Spain Turkey)

Last but not least, check the airline rules v v v v v carefully, especially if you are flying a budget airline. Call + email the airline and make a note of dates / times / names. Bring printouts to the airport(s). The last thing you want is to turn up to either flight and be denied boarding because your doctor's note doesn't say all the things the airlines' rules require. If you are flying Ryanair, make sure your doctor's note complies exactly with their website info and bring print out of same - there is at least one report of them denying boarding to a pregnant woman on the return leg of her journey. Then do what I did - shove the lot in a folder, turn up to the airport in a drapy cardigan, hide tum beneath check in counter until boarding pass is in hand and pretend all is normal. Do not mention pregnancy or documents unless asked !

Hope you get your holiday...I am feeling jealous already !

Thanks all. Have done a bit of checking and it seems that a lot of the low-cost carriers/holiday companies aren't very happy taking expectant mothers further on than 32 weeks, so think we will head to Bedruthan Steps in Cornwall for a few days instead. Really looking forward to a change of scene now!