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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Desperate to go to France, 37 weeks pregnant

43 replies

ElleDubloo · 29/09/2014 19:36

Hi everyone. Some advice would be much appreciated. OH and I have booked a trip to St Malo on Friday, when I'll be 37 weeks pregnant. We'll be going by train to Portsmouth > overnight ferry > staying only 1 day in France > then taking the overnight ferry back > followed by train. Is this a good idea? I've been looking forward to this for so long, but OH is now having second thoughts about whether or not I should go.

I'm 36 weeks now, and baby is head down but not even slightly engaged, so I honestly don't think I will give birth in less than a week. Is there any actual risk/danger to making this trip?

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redstrawberrypie · 29/09/2014 19:38

I could be wrong but I do not think the ferry will accept pregnant passengers after 32 weeks

Original poster

ElleDubloo · 29/09/2014 19:40

Redstrawberrypie - I'm hoping they won't notice. Don't judge me on this. Do you think there's any actual risk to myself or the baby involved in making this journey, putting aside the ferry company's policy?

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JuniDD · 29/09/2014 19:41

I'm about the same stage as you and this sounds like my idea of an exhausting nightmare! But we're all different and if you want to go and it's legal/allowed, it's your choice to take the risk. Make sure you pack your notes (and a French dictionary).

ShowMeTheWonder · 29/09/2014 19:42

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redstrawberrypie · 29/09/2014 19:43

I really wouldn't like to say. I wouldn't be travelling at 37 weeks.
I had a heathy pregnancy up until 37 weeks and dd was born 37+1

ShowMeTheWonder · 29/09/2014 19:44

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wingcommandergallic · 29/09/2014 19:47

I can't see any difference between travelling to France and travelling to Scotland as far as time and effort is concerned.
However I'd be concerned about being covered by travel insurance and what might be available in France in the event of an emergency.

LittleRedDinosaur · 29/09/2014 19:48

I wouldn't. You'll have to have a plan about what you are going to do if you go into labour, pretty sure E111 won't cover that cost completely and I assume you've not told your travel insurance and then it could be a nightmare getting a passport sorted to bring the baby home. I Also wouldn't fancy having a baby on a ferry. Totally up to you, of course, but 37 weeks is pretty much full term.
Good luck!

katandkits · 29/09/2014 19:48

Your ehic card would not cover 100% of costs. It only covers same as what French people pay and most of them top up their health insurance. Even a normal birth and short hospital stay could prove costly, but what if the baby needed any special care. Not worth the risk even if you were allowed to board the ferry. And it doesn't bear thinking about what would happen if you had any sort of birth emergency half way through the night crossing. France isn't going anywhere it will still be there in a few months time

katandkits · 29/09/2014 19:49

Travelling to Scotland is totally different. You just rock up to the nearest NHS hospital.

LLARGIES · 29/09/2014 19:51

I did it at 36 weeks. I drove by myself for nearly 12 hours and on a ferry. I had different reasons as I had to get home. I decided if anyone asked I would say I'm carrying twins, but no one asked me anything. Guess doing it over night no one would bother to question anything. Upto you op, but I was going home to have my baby. Would if bother you if you go into labour over there?

Bunbaker · 29/09/2014 19:52

So, if you are going to lie to the ferry company about how far on you are won't that invalidate your insurance?

If you do go into labour in France and it isn't straightforward, and you aren't covered by insurance how will you manage? How will you get a newborn baby back to the UK without a passport.

Of course if you don't go your baby will probably be born at 41 weeks.

It's a gamble, but not one that I would take.

MrsCK · 29/09/2014 19:52

Have you done the journey before? I've done the overnight ferry when not pregnant and that was an experience enough! cabins are tiny....literally tiny. We also had to get up about 5 am ish as the ferry boarded at about 7 am and we had to be back in our cars by 6.15 ish...so if we wanted breakfast or anything it was up at the crack!! shower wasn't great either...

I just am telling you this as I want you to know the reality....We went for the same length of time as you and the driving and travelling just meant you were constantly on the go.

ThinkIveBeenHacked · 29/09/2014 19:53

You would need to declare the pregnancy for your insurance and would need insurance for repatriation costs.

You may go into labour at sea.

There will not be apropriate first aid/medical/emergency assistance that would cover it on board.

I think you are nuts.

FlipFlopWaddle · 29/09/2014 19:54

It is not the same as travelling to Scotland in that if you go into labour on the M6 or wherever you can just drive to the nearest hospital - you can't do that in the middle of the English Channel!

I went on a ferry at around 32 weeks with dd1 to visit dh's parents, I wouldn't have risked it any later. My travel insurance wouldn't have covered me past that point had I gone into labour. I went into labour and had dd2 at 37 weeks, all was fine but it would have been very expensive had that happened abroad!

UpUpAndAway123 · 29/09/2014 19:55

Baby not being engaged has no bearing on when you will go into labour-some don't engage until labour.
I wouldn't have booked it, I would have booked a UK trip if I wanted to go away. It probably wouldn't happen, but if you did give birth over there it would be problematic-language barriers, hospitals, costs, getting baby back with passport etc. For me it's just not worth the risk.

Liara · 29/09/2014 19:56

Your ehic card would not cover 100% of costs. It only covers same as what French people pay and most of them top up their health insurance

Actually, I don't think this is true.

The secu cover everything pg and birth related from 6 months onwards. The top up insurance is for consultant/specialist consultations and so on.

Medical care in France is very cheap anyway, so any top ups are unlikely to be bank breaking, and hospitals are very good.

If you are set on a natural, non-interventive birth however, you are likely to be in for a shock in most French hospitals. They'll be scrupulously clean, though.

FlipFlopWaddle · 29/09/2014 19:57

Dd1 engaged at 36 weeks...was born at 39

Dd2 never engaged (I had a cs that ended up as an emcs rather than my planned elcs when I went into labour)...was born at 37+3

So I'm not sure that's a reliable indicator to be honest!

SquattingNeville · 29/09/2014 19:59

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Goodwordguide · 29/09/2014 20:01

No, I wouldn't, just not worth the risk - DC1 came at 37 weeks with no warning (as did my sister's and my SIL's).

I honestly don't know why you'd even contemplate it - such a long, potentially uncomfortable journey, miles from proper medical care, for the sake of one night in France.

I would plan to go somewhere really nice that is local instead. If you're not travelling, you could go for two nights in a lovely hotel in the UK.

ShowMeTheWonder · 29/09/2014 20:08

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Original poster

ElleDubloo · 29/09/2014 20:08

It's partly stubbornness (as soon as OH mentioned his doubts, I was twice as determined to go). Partly boredom and the desire to go away and do something exciting for the first time in a few months. Partly because I've already spent the money now and it'll be such a shame to waste it. Partly because I don't want to think the baby will come early or that there will be any complications.

The trip is for a wedding of one of our friends. Should I let OH go by himself if I stay behind?

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Original poster

ElleDubloo · 29/09/2014 20:10

Also, I know travel insurance will be invalidated if I lie about the pregnancy. So we're not getting travel insurance

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ShowMeTheWonder · 29/09/2014 20:12

This reply has been deleted

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EhricLovesTheBhrothers · 29/09/2014 20:12

So what if you go into labour on the boat and the baby is born? What if there is no qualified medical care? What if you need emergency attention?

What if the baby is born in France and you can't get a passport for weeks? Where will you stay? Do you have £££££££ for all the baby stuff you will need but won't have?

What if your health insurance find out you lied and refuse to pay anything towards the medical costs you incur in France?

You'd be fucking insane to go on this trip, both of you. He's a full 12+ Hours journey away from you if he goes alone, so that could very easily mean him missing the birth.

What possessed you to think this would be possible?

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