Travelling at 36 weeks?

[peachgreen]

I'm currently 14+2 with my first baby and was hoping someone with a bit more experience than me could offer me an opinion!

DH and I have just been invited to the wedding of a very dear friend in December. I'll be 36 weeks. The wedding would involve a 2.5 hour ferry ride and then a 3.5 hour drive, plus 2 overnight stays.

How likely is it that I'll be able to manage this? (This is of course presuming my pregnancy continues to be uncomplicated - if there's any issues we obviously won't go.) I have a high BMI (35) but am otherwise fairly fit and healthy. Does anyone have experience of travelling at this stage?

We travelled to Cornwall and back when I was 35 and 36 weeks- approx a 5 hour drive. No problems at all

Should be ok but I'd be a bit nervous about the ferry ride. If it was all driving I would go as you can always divert to a hospital. On a ferry there is bugger all you can do, and it can take a long time to get your car off a ferry especially if it's a big ferry and you're parked at the back or on an upper deck.

Perhaps you could request they allow your car a spot that would give you a quick exit?!

Personally, I would advise caution. I had a low risk, uncomplicated pregnancy but for an unknown reason my waters suddenly broke at 36 weeks and I gave birth the following day. I was admitted to hospital when my waters broke. I know this may be unusual and not what you want to hear but I was very shocked as had assumed all the old wives tales that I would be overdue or on "on time" ish as it was my first and I'd had no health issues and was completely taken by surprise. Luckily we had a happy ending and my hospital bag was packed! I also had back and pelvic pain in the third trimester so travelling long distances would likely have been uncomfortable. I'd advise waiting until later in the pregnancy to determine how you may feel before making any concrete plans and if you do decide to go, be prepared with essential hospital items and your notes. Good luck with your decision and I hope you have a happy, healthy pregnancy.

Which ferry company? Some won't take you one certain routes at that stage, and certainly not without a medical certificate. See this screenshot from p&o for example

You might struggle with travel insurance too

Thanks everyone - food for thought. I agree, it's the ferry that worries me. They don't have any restrictions on that line and we could pay extra for speedy boarding and disembarking, but it's still 2.5 hours at sea and then pretty far from a hospital. No insurance needed though as it's within the UK.

I think I might have to just see how things progress as even the smallest complication would be enough to put me off.

I assume you're going to an island.. check that they have a hospital on the island that can deal with childbirth.

However it's unlikely they would have a birth pool or those kind of facilities. Also unlikely they will have a neonatal unit. If your baby has any sort of complication that is picked up on before birth you need to be at a hospital with neonatal care facilities.

It sounds like the location is pretty remote, I'm sure your friends will understand that it wouldn't be in your baby's best interests for you to attend.

Im currently in france after a 6 hour deive and just over 1 hour ferry ride. Im 30 weeks but i had a few health problems in the build up to coming including a uti which im on antibiotics for. Im regretting coming as im just worrying all the time and feeling ill/quite far from help. Just a different slant on things. Could you pay a deposit and then the balance like the month before so you can cancel in november once you know how your pregnancy pans out? I got pre eclampaia at 36 weeks last time no warning just turned up at midwife and had high bp and protein. Hopefully you will be totally fine but id just like to offer another angle so you have a balanced view to make a decision

@fatfingeredfran Sorry, I should have been more clear - I'm in NI and the wedding is mainland UK - so lots of hospitals! But not MY hospital, so it still wouldn't be ideal.

I definitely wouldn't be going to any tiny islands that far along!

Thanks @Fairy45, that's a really useful perspective. I hope you feel better soon and can enjoy your holiday a little bit.