Would you go to London from Bristol for one day on a training day at 38 weeks?

[iwishiwasalittlebitfitter]

Hi
I am going on mat leave next week and I am leaving behind a job that frustrates me a lot and I don't know if I want to go back to.

I have been given the opportunity of a job that I can do from home and hopefully develop and which I find quite exciting.
I have a day training when I am 38 weeks which means travelling to London for the day. For some reason I am quite nervous of being in the tube with my bump (I often go to London and I don't usually mind!).

However, I don't want to miss the opportunity of training for a job that may be much better for me (I don't think it can be re-scheduled).
If I was to go into labour, I would have a few hours to go back to Bristol or go to a London hospital where my boyfriend family lives.... I guess.
This is my first baby, so I guess the chances of going into early labour is fairly low...
What would you do?
Thanks!

Hmmm
At 38 weeks you could still have a month to go. Or if you're me, you'd need to be getting the kettle on for the onslaught of grannies.
At 38 wks second time, I posted on here about taking DS 20 miles away to Sheffield to take him to his favourite museum (fire engines) for the day, which had just started opening on week days. I was shot down in flames and told not too! Just as well, as DD came the next day.
But, I guess if you do have contacts in London, and it is a good oppurtunity to turn your life around, and you won't have a child with you, then maybe....

Yes take your notes with you. You'll be fine.

my first preganancy i gave birth at 36.5 my second 37 and my third 38 so i wouldnt be going anywhere

erk...

No because I'd already be at home with my feet up on mat leave by then.

I would definitely go. First babies are usually late (I was 43 weeks!) as were all my friends. Bristol - London is not far on a train.

Take your notes as Badgerina says.

Good Luck with what you decide and congratualtions on your pregnancy!

Is it a course that you can arrange to do at a later date, once the baby is born?

Personally, I'd go ahead. Just do some advance planning, take your notes, get one of those TfL baby on board badges to hint to people to treat you nicely on the tube and find out where the nearest hospital is just incase.

Do whatever feels comfortable for you. If you'll regret not doing it go for it, no one can predict exactly when you will go into labour, I plan on carrying on as normal as long as I can, the thought of waiting round for the last few weeks just in case would drive me nuts!

My boyfriend's family lives in London so I was going to ask them to be on 'standby', just in case. If I did go into labour (Murphy's law), I may have time to be driven back to Bristol (unless I have a super quick labour, which is not a bad thing!), or just have a baby in London, (which is not that bad, just not planned)!

The training is a good opportunity, all the people that I will be working with will be there, I don't think there will be another opportunity like that.

I will see the midwife the day before so she can tell me if the head is engaged as well....

Ah, well if your boyfriends family lives in London (ie future grandma/grandpa/aunties etc) then I really wouldn't hesitate! Good idea re midwife - she will be able to tell you if anything is imminent - mine did and was bang on!

How do you feel? I was commuting the day before birth (actually running up stairs in a suit and heels - no way I ciukd do that now!) As I was lucky to be in really sound health and didn't have any problems with stamina or health. I also was flying (only a couple of hours) for monthly meetings) well after the 'cut off' date (I wasn't huge and just blagged it).

Horses for courses really. If you feel ok, no aches, pains or worries, then go - take it slow and give yourself time (try to avoid crush-hour).

I live in Manchester and am currently sat in Surrey. Going to Eastbourne today until Sunday.

I'm 38 weeks

It's scary but we have lots of phone numbers and bags in the car...

Um, no, I wouldn't, because my two babies were born at 39 and 38 weeks. If you do decide to go, take your maternity notes with you and a few essentials in a bag, just in case.

Definitely book it in - you can always cancel nearer the time if you feel like you are about to drop!

Get the train booking done as early as possible and you might find that a 1st class seat is actually cheaper than 2nd class. I often do that route for work and LOVE the fact that I can go 1st class if my planning works out!

Whereabouts in London is the training? If you can arrive early or late then you miss the worst of the tube crush anyway. If it isn't too far from Paddington then I would just make time (and budget) for a cab or at least know that it is an option if it all gets too much on the day.

Pack a couple of bottles of water and some snacks to keep the tiredness at bay and blood sugar levels ok. Oh, and your notes.

I was still commuting at that time and it was definitely doable with a little planning and a sense of 'ok so I might be late, it is no big deal' keeping me company.

It sounds like a great opportunity so I would go for it. As I said, committing to it now does not mean that something awful will happen if you pull out last minute. Just make them aware of the fact you will be 38 weeks pg.

I'd go.

It'd be ideal if you weren't alone, but at least you have your boyfriends family close by if you need some help.

Do you know other people on the course?

I was in and out of hospital from 35 weeks and DS was born at 38+3 so wouldn't have been feasible for me. I'd say you should book it though and see what happens. How pregnant are you now?

I'd go if I were you and had the energy. Sounds like a great opportunity.

I'm in Bristol and had to go London for work but I refused after around 7 months it's not worth it in my mind. It's not just the train to London it's dragging self round the tube I would think too. It's a long day and if for a job u don't want to go back to anyway I'd say no thanks

Thank you all for taking the time to help me out. I feel like the guy last night in the Audience (don't know if anyone watched it, I thought it was way better that I expected!).

I am 36 weeks +2 now and will be 38 on training day. I know someone else at the training and I will try and go with her on the day. I am also trying to find someone from the course to go back with after the day.

I think I will follow the majority and prepare to go, with the option to pull out in case the baby's head is engaged the day before.

x

Figgygal the training is for a job that could get me out of the one I am currently in...

No, I wouldn't, and I would think your employers would understand. Now is not the time to travel if you can help it, you don't have anything to prove. Look after yourself x

I went on a 3 hour train journey at 39+ weeks and it was fucking awful. I felt so uncomfortable and the baby was grinding against my pelvis so I was in quite a lot of pain. I wouldn't have done it if it wasn't really important (sibling wedding). I didn't give birth for another couple of weeks so I wasn't imminent either.

One thing no one has mentioned is the possibility of giving birth and having to stay in hospital. I had an EMCS and would have been in 3 days but my DS then had an infection which meant staying for a week. This would be tricky for visits etc if you were 100 miles from home, and you'd still have to do the return journey! Was bad enough coming back from hospital post CS in the same town!

I'm still getting on the tube every day. If you're getting it during rush hour, I would get yourself a Baby on Board badge in advance. If you don't get offered a seat, don't be afraid to ask someone- I do almost every day. Even if you still feel energetic etc, the risk of being bashed by someone's bag or knocked over is reduced if you can get a seat.

From tfl:
"Pregnant women can wear a 'Baby on board' badge to let other passengers know they may need a seat.
These are available from our Customer Service Centre by emailing your full name and address to [email protected] or by calling 0843 222 1234."

when did your mum give birth? that could be a fairly good indicator. I would probably go if it wasnt too uncomfy logistically. all my mums were late though!

I wouldn't be put off by the risk of labour. BUT I would probably be too knackered and huge and grumpy by then to get much out of a training course, especially if I'd done a long journey. If you go, definitely try to stay in London overnight the night before and after the course so you're not too tired. Also could your DP go with you perhaps and spend the day seeing his family, so you have someone to carry your bags (and so he's there just in case labour does start)?

Re the tube. Do ask for a seat as London says. People are quite happy to give up their seat IF they see you, but often they don't see you as their nose is in a book. If this happens, feel free to say "excuse me could I please have your seat" and watch them jump up. At 38 weeks you shouldn't need a badge I'd have thought!

Well it's not quite the same but at 38 weeks I will be travelling across London (live in Sussex) to support my dh and take photos of his band as they are playing in the final of a competition.

If I go into labour it's 2 - 3 hour drive from our hospital so I'm keeping my fingers and legs crossed!