Going on holiday at 34 weeks - really bad idea?

[kusmile]

In a fit of unusual spontaneity my partner suggested we go on a short trip (4 days) to Belgium at the beginning of November, which I unhesitatingly agreed to because I'm bored of being in a noisy part of London.

After the non-refundable tickets were booked I realised that I'll be 34.5 weeks at that time (and that it clashed with the NCT course we were planning on attending - doh!), so now I'm wondering if the trip is a really bad idea.

On the positive side, we're going on the Eurostar which is much less stressful than flying and hasn't got restrictions or requirements for a doctors letter. Also, my pregnancy has been normal so far and is low risk, and my partner won't mind if I'm too tired to do much, we just want a change of scenery.

But I have no idea how I'll feel at the time, and how likely it is that I might need to suddenly see a doctor/mw. Has anyone got any suggestions/advice/opinions about travelling at that stage?

At 34 weeks I was travelling all over the place in the UK. I felt quite tired by that point though, and wouldn't have been able/wanted to do much walking. As long as you've not got that planned, I reckon it would be alright.

Make sure you've got insurance.

It's unlikely but always possible that you'll have to suddenly seek medical treatment at that stage. Just make sure that you know where your nearest good maternity hospital is, and that your insurance covers you. I imagine that facilities in Belgium will be absolutely fine. I guess there is always the slight risk of your giving birth there and needing to get the baby papers before you can travel home, but the British Embassy in Brussels would, I think, be able to issue you with emergency travel docs in that situation. DH, DS1 and I went on a UK break for a week when I was 34 weeks pregnant with DC2, and I remember it as being one of the nicest holidays we've had - a lovely chance to enjoy time together before the new arrival.

Sounds like a good idea to me.

Providing, of course, that your baby doesn't want to make an early appearance :) check your travel insurance.

Take all your notes with you - and just have a nice, relaxing break.

Try some of the chocolate whilst you are there too.

Sounds good to me. I went to Disneyland Paris last year at 32/ 33 weeks pregnant with twins, travelling by Eurostar. It was great, a much needed break before the twin rollercoaster started. I managed far more than I anticipated even walking round quite a lot, though we broke up our days in the park - DH & DD would go swimming and I'd have an afternoon nap. We did one full day in Paris, which was fine. Just not having the daily grind of work and then housework/ cooking was relaxing.

We checked out nearest hospitals, rang the insurance and kept my notes with me at all times, I was relieved when I arrived back in the UK still pregnant but didn't really worry at any point during the break. I had a fit to travel doctors note just in case as I was massive but no one asked to see it.

I would see if you can reschedule your nct if you miss all the classes.

This time we're heading off when I'll be 35 weeks pregnant for a week. UK based this time and my parents are coming with us to help out. I'm looking forward to it and my midwife wasn't concerned when I told her yesterday.

Enjoy your break!

also eurostarred at 34wks, though to Paris, before DS was born.

Loved it, needed a change of scene from the nesting and baby clothes and nursery.

Also because i am both crap with money and a hopeless softy when hormonal I bought an item of clothing and a bottle of perfume for myself, and a baby book for the then future-DS, thinking that every time I would wear them in the future I would think back to this trip and the exciting time of waiting to meet my baby and become a mum.

The dress has never fitted, ha. but the perfume is still going and DS does love the book. Take your notes & lock up your wallet... or use DH's have fun X

We went to France for a week when I was about 34 weeks pg with DC2. It was lovely :) We got the ferry, so no fears about flying (although everyone except me was violently sick on the way out, ha ha). I took my notes with me and made sure we got good insurance. And I had gestational diabetes as well, so had to travel with all the testing kit etc, but none of the HCPs were bothered.

It was a really lovely time :) like a pp said, a time to make the most of just me, DS and DH away from all the distracting noise of real life.

Enjoy! And eat lots of chocolate

Thank you all for your input, it's been very reassuring. Now I'm really looking forward to it rather than feeling slightly apprehensive

And a further bonus is that I received confirmation that I'd got places on some antenatal education classes at the hospital, so I don't need to worry about missing out on the NCT course