Travelling at 34 weeks?

[Positiveplus]

I'm currently 17 weeks pregnant with our first DC and am due mid- September.
My brother is getting married in Northern Ireland (we're in England) at the beginning of August when I will be 34 weeks.

I really want to go and have said I wouldnt miss it for the world but thinking about it, realistically will I -
(a) be allowed to travel (ie. know I wont be able to fly but not sure about ferry policies? Plus what about insurance?)
(b) will I feel up to it?

We would have to go over the day before the wedding (a 6 hour drive to the ferry port then a 2 hour ferry crossing + whatever extra driving there is at the other end), spend the day at the wedding the day after, then travel back the day after that. Would this be too much?

I dont want to miss it but know I need to be practical and realistic.
Thanks!

I think ferries have similar policies to flights.
You shouldn't need travel insurance really as you will still be in the UK and could turn up at nearest NHS hospital if required.

I definitely wouldn't have felt up to it at 34 weeks but everyone is different. If I did feel up to it, flying would be a better option. You should still be able to go on a domestic flight at 34 weeks so long as you have a fit to fly letter from a doctor/midwife although different airlines have different policies. No way would I want to be on an 8+ hour journey at that stage personally!

Since it is your brother, I'd find a way to go making it as easy as possible on yourself and assume that unless you are told you are not fit to travel, it will all be fine. Tell him you will do your best but you can't promise.

hi Positive - i am having a similar dilemma myself as i am supposed to be going to Dublin for a family party when i am 37 weeks. I am not sure what ferry company the inlaws have booked with but i think most are saying you can travel at anytime with a letter from your GP.

I also looked at insurance and they all say that they will not cover normal pregnancy/childbirth after 33 weeks.

bit of a nightmare really.

Hope you get sorted!

Dublin is different as that counts as travel abroad. I would not do that at 37 weeks in any circumstances due to the insurance issue. Also at 37 weeks you are considered full term so you are unlikely to be allowed to travel. I think you'll have to duck out of your family party to be honest as I can't see how you are going to get there or get any insurance.

A quick google says that Irish Ferries do not allow pregnant women to travel beyond 32 weeks. From 28 to 32 weeks it is ok with doctors certificate. Just like planes really, they don't want to be delivering a premature baby in the middle of the Irish Sea where you have no access to emergency services.
Google seems to have Ryanair policy at 36 weeks max for single pregnancy and 32 weeks for twins, with fit to fly certificate needed from 28 weeks. Easy Jet appear to have the same policy and so do BA.

So the trip to Northern Ireland at 34 weeks is possible if you are in good health and get a certificate. But not on the ferry probably.

Where do you live and where is the wedding? You can fly with easyjet into the internaional or into the city up to 36 weeks with a note from your doctor/ midwife.

Travel insurance also not really an issue as you're not leaving the UK so you'll still have full access to the NHS

Sorry phone being a bit odd but meant to add if you can unless you are also 6 hours from airport will make for a much easier journey,

Aargh dam phone, original post should read

BMIBaby into the city airport.

34 weeks is ok with DR certificate on most airlines. But just do think about how you would feel if you did go into labour whilst away and had to have your baby there. You would then not be able to return home for at least two weeks as I think newborns cann ot fly until they are 14 days old.

It probably won't happen but best to think of worst case scenario when making decision.

Thanks for all your replies.

We're be travelling from Sheffield to Belfast.

Just ruled out flying automatically as thought it was a no-go though that now seems like a more do-able option maybe?
We could fly from East Mids or Manchester and we could also break up the journey by staying with family overnight maybe in Manchester if necessary. DH will be doing the driving too so I wouldnt have to do that.

As it is Northern Ireland, you're right in saying that its still the UK so would be covered under the NHS etc. so insurance probably not an issue.

I guess we just need to decide whether to go via the car + ferry or fly - looks like both are probably do-able, its just what would be easiest...

It's not just the driving, I find sitting in the car for long stretches very uncomfortable. Not to mention the constant need for toilet stops! A six hour drive would be hellish! Whereas if you fly you only have a reasonable drive to the airport, then you get a nice walk around with sit down and toilet whenever you like, and a very short flight.

Stena Line ferries Liverpool-Belfast appear to have a 36 weeks policy but of course info on the internet might be out of date. Best to phone up travel companies and ask before you book.

The main disadvantage of no insurance is not getting your fare back if you have to cancel because you can't get a fit to travel letter. But that's probably a risk worth taking.

Having actually given birth abroad alone at 24 weeks on a seemingly routine, short business trip with easy pregnancy up until then and having subsequently lost my dd (in a brilliant hospital that had with very little experience caring for such small babies) when she reached 23 days old (also had to arrange accommodation, visa for dh to visit us, initial shock from the birth and then nightmare arranging all the insurance payouts/letters of guarantee etc) I would say it would not be worth it for me.

Others can obviously disagree.

The flight from Manchester to Belfast is pretty short so I'd fly if I was you, 6 hours sitting in a car at 34 weeks pregnant is no fun.

bemybebe what a horrible experience, sorry about your DD.