Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Flip

Original poster

School trip, 27 weeks pregnant, would I be mad?

17 replies

VikingVagine · 08/09/2013 08:41

I'm a teacher in France. I've recently found out in pregnant (copper coil, possibly ectopic but we don't ow yet, so all hypothetical).

I am supped to be organising a school trip to Oxford with 50 pupils at the end of February. If all goes well, I will be 27/28 weeks pregnant by then. The trip includes a very long coach trip (we're in the south of France) then 5 days of outings withy the kids, then the very long trip back. On site the children will be in families, so I should get some sleep, but the rest of the time, I will be responsible for a group of 12 (year 9) kids.

I think I can handle it (admittedly I'm only 3 weeks gone right now, so I may feel very differently then!). I have 2 DCs already, but can't for the life of me remember what I felt like at 27 weeks.

Am I mad to even consider this?

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Original poster

VikingVagine · 08/09/2013 08:42

Sorry, that should read "on site in the evenings and at night the kids will be in families" - during the day they will be with the four teachers.

OP posts:

RobotHamster · 08/09/2013 08:44

What's the itinerary for the trip? It should be fine but be prepared to be fucking exhausted. 27 weeks is right at the end of the bit where you still feel mostly ok, and right before the bit where your belly seems to double in size overnight :)

What stage did you work til last time? I know I wouldn't cope with this, but was on mat leave by 30 weeks last time.

Antidote · 08/09/2013 08:48

I'd be concerned about the dvt risk of the long coach trip, but then I'm a bit paranoid like that. By 27 weeks I was starting to feel less awful from sickness and my pelvis hadn't yet completely fallen apart from spd!

Original poster

VikingVagine · 08/09/2013 08:54

I think I worked until 32 weeks with DD! Fell pregnant 14th feb, went up to October half term, is that 32 weeks? Need a calendar to work it out!

OP posts:

ccsays · 08/09/2013 09:08

25 weeks here. You'll be absolutely knackered if you do this (though I guess everyone's different). I wouldn't bother.

kilmuir · 08/09/2013 09:13

you will be fine.

doobeedee · 08/09/2013 09:33

I organised and lead a trip to Germany for 45 kids at 23 weeks. Was absolutely fine.

doobeedee · 08/09/2013 09:34

As for DVT, you're not sitting still the whole way anyway.

AhoyAhoy · 08/09/2013 09:41

Hmmm.... I'd be most concerned that the only toilet is on a moving coach, shared with teenage boys who may not have the best aim.

I think you will be fine- tired by the end of the day, but fine. However, you cannot tell how the pregnancy will progress, so I would arrange from the beginning to have someone who is willing to step in for you at short notice. Share your whole itinerary with them well in advance.

doobeedee · 08/09/2013 10:52

I've done loads if trips like this and have never coma across a soggy toilet seat! They probably sit anyway as they'd fall over if they tried standing! And there are always loads of stops for breaks.

Original poster

VikingVagine · 08/09/2013 11:01

Right thinks, I think I'll talk to the Head about it if the pregnancy is viable. My DH works in the same school as me so I'll see if he could possible replace me if for some reason I can go at the last minute.

OP posts:

Original poster

VikingVagine · 08/09/2013 11:02

Thanks, not thinks

OP posts:

violetbean · 08/09/2013 12:23

I'm around 26 weeks and the only things that are currently bugging me are feeling hot all the time, not sleeping very well and needing the loo a lot. If the trip involves lots of early mornings I'd be wary. Also I can't keep up with a group of people walking quickly so that might be tricky on a school trip. On balance, I'd probably avoid it but totally your call!

enjolraslove · 08/09/2013 19:40

I went on a camping trip with kids when I was 28 weeks- long coach journeys and all attendant camping things and it was absolutely fine. The kids were also absolutely adorable and I think it was quite an education for them!! You will be fine.

Smerlin · 08/09/2013 19:53

12 Y9s I would be fine with as a nice small number - I would be concerned about early starts/late finishes (but when I took a similar group from London to Paris we wanted to tire them out to avoid mischief so did a lot!) and would be concerned about the long coach journey due to loo breaks and general discomfort.

Pupils generally walk soooo slowly that I doubt you'll have trouble keeping up with them!

Corkle · 08/09/2013 20:05

Smerlin has it spot on about kids walking slowly! You'll still be chivvying them along!
I think the trip will be fine as long as you have a good team with you who can give you time to rest on an evening and share the responsibilities out. I lead a trip to France at 25 weeks and felt guilty asking too much of the other staff as it was 'my trip' and ended up wearing myself out a bit - they did a great job helping out though.

Original poster

VikingVagine · 08/09/2013 20:07

Thank you all, I feel much more confident about it now!

OP posts:

Flip