Trip at 37 weeks

[Chanel05]

I'm considering visiting family (staying in a hotel) later this month. I'd be 37 weeks when I went and 37+2 when I returned. It'd be about a 2.5 hour drive. Is this wise? I haven't visited since January due to Covid obviously and I had horrendous morning sickness at the beginning of pregnancy so didn't want to make any journeys.

I think you'll be fine. Just stick to social distancing and wash your hands regularly and I'm sure you'll be fine 👍🏻
As much as you want to give your family a hug, I'd give it a miss for now! Especially with you being so close to your due date

Wise in terms of Covid/social distancing or because you will be far away from home when heavily pregnant?

Sorry, should have made that clear! Just because I'm so close to due date! I've had a normal low risk pregnancy.

Had my first at 37 weeks so a no from me!

36 wks here so I'd say no from me too! Can you arrange to meet halfway for a daytime thing?

@flossiegrippiter sadly not - seeing my 92 year old nan :).

I also had my first at 37 weeks.... at the other end of the country.... because I was “on a trip”. Wouldn’t advise it.

I gave birth at 37 weeks in under three hours with my first so I would Also say no

Big no from me too. I posted on here when I was pregnant with DS asking whether I should go visit friends at 36 weeks pregnant. The thread put me off going which was bloody good luck as DS ended up arriving that very weekend!

All the 42 weekends are nodding.. all the 36-37 aren’t!
I’d personally say it’s worth it (given your nans age).
But I’d be taking your hospital bag, notes and birth partner with you.. just in case xx

I'd go but just be aware that you may end up giving birth at a hospital near where you're visiting rather than the one that you've planned. I'd take your hospital bag and car seat with you.

Ditto previous 2 comments - unless you’re high risk for any reason by then. Just take your notes and bear in mind where the closest hospital or birthing unit is for the whole journey unless you need to take a detour. I personally probably wouldn’t go if I was going to be more than an hour or so from help should anything go wrong. But you’re by far more likely to still be pregnant at 40 weeks!

I’d be taking your hospital bag, notes and birth partner with you

This is still assuming a straight-forward birth, a quick discharge and a healthy baby. I ended up needing to stay on the postnatal ward for a week and DS was on the special care ward for 9 days. It was ok because the hospital was close enough for DH to come and go, fetch me things from home etc, but it would have been a nightmare if we'd been 2.5 hours away from home!

I did a 4.5hr away holiday from 38-39.5weeks. It was fine. Just took my notes and car seat etc just in case. We got back at noon and my waters broke the next morning at 6am so my body was just waiting for me to get home and have a night sleep in my own bed

I drove back from Spain to UK and had dd 20 days later full term.

I wouldn't because my DC1 and dc2 arrived at 36 and 37 weeks, and labour was pretty speedy. By the time I was due with number 3, I was reluctant to go further than 20 minutes from the house from 36 weeks. Which turned out to be an excellent move as dc3 arrived in under 30 mins from first twinge.

Thanks ladies, I think I'll stay put.

I had my first at 37+1. 37 weeks is full term so if you go bring your notes and hospital bag with you . I was in labour for 49 hours although my waters broke first and they admitted me overnight to be monitored due to sudden high blood pressure. My pregnancy was low risk too so no idea where the high blood pressure cane from but it was fine in the end and they sent me home to labour away . As long as you are alright with the possibility of going into labour while away then go for it .