DP work meeting 5 hours train away at 38 + 6

[singme]

Inspired by another thread on here today and now thinking maybe not a good idea whereas before I thought it would be fine.

I’m 34 weeks with my first. All going well and no reason to think baby will be early.

DP has been working down in London a fair bit recently. Usually overnight or just a day. His final meeting of the project is when I am 38 + 6. He’s just going to go for that day.

It’s a 7 hour drive, a 5 hour train and there are 1 hour ish flights too but obviously add airport time and getting to airport in London etc.

I’m guessing it’s really unlikely that I would have baby that day and even if so it would take more than the likely 6 or so hours for him to get back if he could get a train straight away with no delays.

I don’t have family here and would really not want anyone but DP with me anyway, although I’m sure I could ask DP’s mum if he really couldn’t make it.

I’m guessing if all seems fine on the day just have to get on with it!

I wouldn't like him to be so far away. Can he teleconference/Skype in?

Is there no way at all he could video conference for it? IME even fairly macho workplaces are quite understanding about such things. I'd say it's a little close to the due date for comfort, and you never know how quick even a first labour will be.

However, I think most people's bodies often wait to go into labour until it feels safe to do so - so you're unlikely to start while he's away.

You are 34 weeks. Loads of time!

Only on MN do women demand their husbands are within a 10 minute distance from 30 weeks.

Sorry you will be 38 weeks.
Still ok.

Absolutely fine IMO... unlikely you will go from nothing to baby in a short space of time!

Good point about feeling safe....maybe the relief of him coming home will be a natural induction!!

He’s going tomorrow as well so I guess he can find out what the schedule is.
Some of these meeting are only 1-2 hours so environmentally alone I’m not sure it’s worth it!

By that time I had already given birth to my first but DH would have had enough time to get back (he was also working away at the time). The important thing is what you feel happy and relaxed about.

Well. My first arrived at 38 weeks with no warning and took a grand total of 5 hours to be born, so yes it can happen. To save you all some mega stress I'd see if he can dial in just that day.

That's fine!

This is not an issue. I grounded dh from flying abroad at 39 weeks but in the uk is fine

Hmm my first came at 38+6 and my second at 38 weeks so I wouldn't be too happy about it! We were in a similar position to you when I was getting close to due date and DH started Skyping in from about 37 weeks instead of going down to London.

Realistically you'll probably be fine and he will probably get home in time. But there's a small chance of things not going to plan!

I think personally I would be okay with it. I know babies do come a bit early and some labours are very short, but the likelihood is very small. I'm 38 weeks at the moment and it feels like this baby is never going to come and to be honest I think I would feel worse if my partner was waiting around as well just in case. But I guess it is a pretty personal weighing up of likelihoods and risks etc.

From 38 weeks I put a 2.5 hour limit on DPs travel. Earlier on in my pregnancy I wasn't bothered but as the due date got closer and hormones took over, I started to freak a little. If he really had to then I would have just gotten on with it obviously, but would be good to save the stress if you can.

Thankfully his boss is a very hands on dad to 4 daughters so was very understanding!