What's the latest in your pregnancy that you would go abroad?

[MulledWineandScully]

I'm due at the end of June. I have a ton of annual leave (about 7wks) to take before I go on mat leave so my last day at work will be early May.

We would like to have a month in France before the baby arrives so were thinking of going something like 10th May to 10th June. My first pregnancy was a bit complicated towards the end so I'm not sure if this is reckless. I know they do have hospitals in France but I'm not fluent in medical-speak. Would you do it?

Personally, no I wouldn't - I wouldn't want the long car journey back (when you'll be about 37 weeks?) If that doesn't bother you then it might be fine. It depends what your complications were last time - that's a month when you won't be monitored by medical professionals, so if you're at higher risk of pre-eclampsia or anythign like that I wouldn't do it. Obviously if you go into premature labour your baby would spend a lot of time in a French hospital - do you speak French? Would that have cost implications or would your travel insurance cover it? In fact, it's worth checking your insurer's policy on travelling in the third trimester, even if you're not getting a plane.

There's also the (remote) possibility of going into labour on the ferry or tunnel to consider..

lurcher - Good points well made, god I hadn't even thought about the car journey at 37 weeks! Yes I am at high risk of pre-eclampsia. My French is passable but I would have to gen up on medical terminology. No idea about the travel insurance and labour in the chunnel would not be fun.

Second thoughts I'll send DH with DD and stay at home in bed cleaning!

I went on holiday at 33wks with my first. Perhaps a bit risky looking back, but other half had won a convention through work and I didnt want to miss it!
Only trouble i had was swollen feet.
34 weeks was the latest I would have been allowed to fly according to the airline.

I went on holiday at 33wks with my first. Perhaps a bit risky looking back, but other half had won a convention through work and I didnt want to miss it!
Only trouble i had was swollen feet.
34 weeks was the latest I would have been allowed to fly according to the airline.

Went on holiday to Spain at 31 weeks, back at 34 with DS2 and currently pregnant with DC3 and will be doing the same again. Not intentionally but this DC was not planned and we've already booked the flights. If it looks as though things are going to be hisk risk etc, we'll just have to cancel.

I wouldn't! Can 't you book somewhere nice in the UK and enjoy a chilled out time without the worry of complications in a country where you could have problems with language.

We wouldn't be flying - it would either be drive/chunnel/drive or drive/ferry/drive. It's just an opportunity to go for a long period and sort things out there and get some work done on the house, because once the baby arrives I couldn't see us going over at all until at least winter.

DH is more keen than me if I am honest, I think I'd rather just lounge round here than be over there without even ...gasp... the internet.

Think we will have to discuss tonight and I will point out the issues you've all pointed out!

I would go, I live in France and most doctors I've met here speak English. And I'm very happy with the quality of care. Just check your insurance.

I went to France at 34 weeks with dd2, came back at 37 weeks, she was born at 37+5 :)

It was all fine.

I'd do it.

im going to france by car, will be returning at 33 weeks just realised my insurance only goes to 32 weeks so bear that in mind- you can definitely get insurance for later but beyond 36 it will be expensive. check that out before you decide but i didnt want to leave it that late for my hols.

im going to france by car, will be returning at 33 weeks just realised my insurance only goes to 32 weeks so bear that in mind- you can definitely get insurance for later but beyond 36 it will be expensive. check that out before you decide but i didnt want to leave it that late for my hols.

i went quite far 8 hr flight + 2hr stop off + 6 hr flight (and return) at 26 and 30 weeks. I have had absolutely no problems at all this pregnancy and my MW didn't think it would be a problem. Really depends how your pregnancy is going AND if you have very good travel insurance (which includes cover for premature labour and will cover the baby)

30 weeks was my limit though as that seems to be up until most travel insurance companies cover you.

Seems quite a long way, depends how you are feeling by then i guess. Does it have to be for a month? Could you perhaps do a couple of weeks there (insurance permitting) and a couple of weeks in the UK? At least then you'd be getting in some French sun before the baby arrives but you'd be here nearer your due date .