Going 2.5 hours from home at 39+5

[readysetcake]

My in laws live 2.5 hrs from us next to beautiful beaches in Wales and it’s going to be a beautiful weekend. I really want to go and sit on a beach with my toddler in the sunshine and eat Ice-cream. I’m so fed up of waiting around for this baby.

There are two maternity hospitals within 30 mins drive of their house so not worried for that. But was planning to use our local MLU. If I did go into labour do you think I could use the MLU in my in laws town (5 mins from their house)? or would they not let me as I’m an outsider?

If you show up at an NHS hospital in labour, they will look after you. Just pack your notes, hospital bag and car seat just in case!

It really depends if you would be happy to take the risk of having your baby at a distance from home, rather than at your local hospital, and if your inlaws would be happy having the toddler if that happened.

As it’s not your first, you are more likely to have a shorter labour. Doesn’t mean it will be, but definitely statistically more likely! What this means is potentially less of the slow and steady early labour part which would definitely give you time to travel if you wanted to get back to your home hospital. If you don’t mind having the baby in a hospital away from home (and you’d obviously have the inlaws help if it did happen!) then what’s the harm?

Also, the MLU will take you if they have space, just as your own local MLU would.

If you go, take the car seat for the baby with you so you can get home again if you do have the baby!

The MLU should take you. They'll be some paperwork for them, but that's for them to worry about. They might need to repeat blood tests and will prob ring your original booking place to check there's no issues. Go and enjoy!