Based in London, have conference to attend in Birmingham at 36 weeks. This is first pregnancy- should I stay in London in case I go into Labour?

[AC786]

I will be 36 weeks pregnant when I need to attend a conference in Birmingham. I am based in London. This is my first pregnancy and I wonder whether I being silly and should stay put in London in case I go into labour. Any thoughts?

My first pregnancy too so no experience but if I were you I'd stick close to London unless your DP or someone else can go with you. I know it's unlikely to go into labour at 36 weeks with your first but it's not impossible. Is it for work? If so it is a little unreasonable for them to expect you to go all that way that late in pregnancy.

How long will you be at the conference and how will you get there? My first inclination would be to stay home, not because of early labour risk but because it would be tiring. I am 36 weeks with dc2 and have just started maternity leave. I am knackered .

If you are feeling well and up to it then i would go.

Won't work need to do a risk assessment?

I'm also in London and had a weekend away in the Midlands when 37 weeks. Was fine and no problems. I guess it depends how anxious you'll feel about anything kicking off. It's unlikely, but not impossible!

As long as your pregnancy is normal and there's no medical reason to think you'd go into labour early then I wouldn't worry about that.

I'd agree though that it could be tiring depending on travel arrangements and how long you're staying. If it's just for the day and you're driving then I wouldn't bother. If it's one or two nights, you're going by train and the hotel and conference are easy to get to then I'd go.

I live in Yorkshire and i had a weekend in London when I was 36 pg w DD (and went on to have her 4 days later). With DS, I was at home but he came at 36+1.

So though I was v chilled about it 1st time rouns, and scoffed at people who asked if it was a sensible thing to do (even though DH, car seat and mat notes were w me), I'd avoid it if possible. Especially if it's for work as you're like.y to be tired by 36 weeks.

I wouldn't do it, personally (apart from the risk of labour, such a schlep would be exhausting!)

If you want to go to the conference, I would just go. You won't get the opportunity to for a while afterwards!

If you did go into labour early, there are big hospitals in Birmingham too, its not the middle of nowhere! [not ideal of course, but you and baby would be ok]

I would be prepared to travel to UK cities right up to due date (and I have a high risk pregnancy). I wouldn't go abroad after 20 weeks or so.

Yes, you might get tired though!

I went to a work conference in brim at 39 weeks. We live an hour away which I figured was plenty of time to get back. Glad I did as dd was born at 40+12 so weeks afterwards.

And there's a lovely MW led,centre at the women's hospital in brum

I had to do an overnight stay in Norwich (live in London) for work when I was about 36 weeks. I took my pregnancy notes with me and it was fine. I wouldn't cancel attending an important conference, and unless there were health issues, I doubt a doctor would either.

Unless there are known risk factors relating to your PG or anticipated delivery which mean you need to be with yourspecific team, then go.

I had no problems with either pg, 1st dc born at 38 wks 2nd born at exactly 36wks

Is it a day trip? I'd go. It'll be tiring though. Just take your notes and don't be worried about potentially giving birth in Brum!

Thank you all! It is meant to be three days- chairing a session on day 1 and presenting day 3. I could get someone to chair but no one else could do my talk. I would just have to pull out.