First babies - early or late?

[Beans1977]

Hello. I am 23 weeks pg with #DC1... and my due date is the day before my little sister's wedding - a four hour car journey away...

She thought about changing the date, but it's too complicated as lots of arrangements are in place. I guess I'm wondering what the odds are I will make it. DH thinks it's very unlikely - but I'm a little in denial!

So... were your first babies early or late - and would you have fancied going to a wedding at 40+1

Thanks!

My first was 11 days early but I wasn't too surprised as I was the size of a whale and it felt like he didn't have enough room in there. Had I remained pregnant until 40+1 I definately wouldn't have entertained going to a wedding though (size of a whale as I say).

I think if you're still pregnant then I wouldn't risk it if you're 4hrs away from home (car journey with contractions - not fun) and it'll be a pretty full on day for you, although you may be one of those serene types who has a cute neat bump and doesn't get too cumbersome and tired .

If you're early and DC1 is already here then it just depends how you feel. Newborns are pretty transportable so you could easily take DC with you (he/she would prob be the hit of the party) but on the other hand you might still be a bit sore, you'll def be tired and maybe feeling slightly anti-social.

Guess I'm trying to say you're prob not going to be able to make the decision until the time comes. I'm no help really

I am watching this thread with great interest, I am coming up to 38 weeks, my DH is posted abroad with the Army and is due back the day before baby is due and I am really hoping baby stays put! We are also due to attend a close friends wedding (DH is best man) on my due date but luckily it's local so I will go if still pregnant, will just be putting the hospital bags in the car!! Sorry OP can't offer any experiance as first baby!

3 days early and the week before I'd travelled 180 miles back home for my sisters wedding. I was huge and uncomfortable and wouldn't have done it for anyone else. But a lot of women in my family have been early so maybe think about your siblings and/or cousins and when they gave birth (disclaimer this is not an exact science but it is the info that kept my hope alive that I wouldn't go 2 weeks over)
If you do go make sure you take your notes with you just in case. Is the worst that could happen that you go in to labour and give birth in the town where the wedding is? How do you feel about that?

1 week late with 1st.

1week early with my first. Bang on time with my 2nd.

3+5 early with first, but was expecting it as both my sisters were 3 weeks early with theirs... plus DP was due to go on a stag do at the grand national so had to ruin his plans :)

Personally my issue with this would be the 4 hour drive... if baby has arrived you might be a bit sore... if not then the thought of a 4 hour drive at 40 weeks pregnant (not that I've made it to 40 weeks) doesn't sound appealing.

I think you'll have to just decide at the time I'm afraid.

Research the nearest maternity unit/hospital and make sure dh knows the route! :-)

Due date with first so I obviously wouldn't have gone to a wedding at 40+1.

Even if I hadn't given birth then, there is no way I'd even contemplate going on a 4 hour trip in case of going into labour elsewhere and being stuck there for god knows how long.
I also wouldn't be travelling 4 hours with a newborn. My DD was feeding all the time and a 4 hour journey would have easily become a 7-8 hour journey with the stopping for feeding, nappy changing, eating ourselves etc.

Sorry!

Average first pregnancy is 40+10... but I wouldn't bank on being average with a four hour trip back...

I was two weeks late and would have gone to a wedding at 40+1 as I was bored out of my skull by then. However, I wouldn't have driven four hours to get to it, would have been too uncomfortable.

Thanks everyone for the comments - appreciate the feedback! I think I am being a bit optimistic to think we'll get there - but as you say I can make a call nearer the time.

[grin} WeeLors nothing much serene or cute about me or bump - I am not one of those people!

I can definitely look into nearest hospital and work out how far away the wedding venue is etc.