Husband going away for the night 5 weeks before due date - what do you think?

[MrsLauraM]

My husbands friends are planning a surprise camping night for him before the baby comes along. This is obviously subject to restrictions being lifted at the end of June.
I’ll be 35 weeks pregnant at the time and this is my first baby. The camping place is around 1 hour away but they’ll be drinking so not easy for him to get back that same night. It’s only 1 night.
I think my husband would enjoy it and the reasonable part of my brain is saying it will be absolutely fine and the chances of me going into labour 5 weeks before my due date is almost nil. However, there is a little voice in the back of my mind wondering if I’m being a bit naive and that it’s too close to due date.
It’s a surprise trip so I can’t run it past him either.

What do you think? What would you do?

I think five weeks before due date should be fine. X

It'll be absolutely fine. If it did happen they would find a way to get him back regardless.

It'll be fine

How has your pregnancy been?

If everything has been fine, I would be fine with it. But my husband had to work 6 days abroad / 3 days at home all the way through my first pregnancy until 2 days before my due date so maybe that clouds my judgement and maybe we were overly relaxed!

Absolutely fine.

I think one of them should stay sober so they can drive him to you if need be! And obviously he shouldn't get wasted himself

I'm about at that stage and would be ok with that. Obviously if anything came up just before, hospital monitoring etc, then it would have to be cancelled

I'd enjoy the time alone and make the most of it

I think it should be fine.

First labours are often days long and get going very slowly so I think you'd have time for him to get back even if you started to feel twitchy when he was away.

If on the day he leaves you feel like things might be getting going he can always cancel.

But its unlikely at 35 weeks. 38 weeks maybe - some babies come earlier naturally. But haven't heard of anyone having spontaneous labour start at 35 weeks.

The vast majority of labours I know of were over the due date by a few days. And some (thank you DS) a whole 14 days over!

I would be ok with it, but saying that I sent DH to Aberdeen (4hrs drive) for a wedding he had turned down being best man for as it was on my due date. I did have my mum come stay just in case.

That sounds fine - maybe just have a mate on standby. His friends sound really nice planning him a surprise trip.

Sounds fine .

I would say 5 weeks before is fine

If your not high risk then you’ll be absolutely fine. Why not use the time to pamper yourself too? Maybe have a friend over or go away to a spa for the day. Most places do packages for mums to be

I think it's absolutely fine.

I would ask that they ensure there is decent phone signal in the area and they have the number of a local taxi firm.

And then I'd plan a luxurious evening of favourite food and films.

Depends whether you're high risk and your medical history.

Personally I wouldn't be happy BUT lost a pregnancy at 5 months and went onto have an ectopic that ruptured so am probably more paranoid than most.

For our second child, my husband went camping 2 hours away on the weekend of my due date (helping with a youth camp). I invited my parents to stay for peace of mind and had a lovely weekend with them. Baby was due on the Sunday and born 3 days later on the Wednesday. If recommend having plans in place for just in case but otherwise relax and enjoy.

I had my first spontaneously at 35 weeks and even I would say it will be fine.

For 1 night in this country (ie not a flight away) absolutely fine. Wouldn't bother me in the slightest.

In my last pregnancy (pre covid) I had overnight work trips away up until about 35 weeks

Thank you ladies! I’m pleased that you all agree it’s ok.
@Mummyof2Terrors they have already assured me they will get him home if anything was to start early 😊
@converseandjeans they are a lovely bunch of lads. Couldn’t ask for better!
@okokok000 oh dear, I’m so sorry you went through that 😢

I’m only 19 weeks but everything has been fine so far but obviously if anything changes then I will of course let them know that plans have to be changed. I think my baby shower is being arranged for the same date and I’ll make sure a friend or family member stay over with me that night so no doubt pampering will be part of the plan for me 😊

Thanks again for the input!

To me 5 weeks is totally reasonable. My husband is having to decline a stag for his close friend but that is less than 3 weeks from my due date which we both felt was cutting it too close .

My husband was deployed not long after my dating scan with our 1st, didn't return to the country until I was 36 weeks.

You'll be fine.

With 5 weeks to go, I’d say that this is absolutely fine, particularly where it’s only an hour away. Worst case scenario, he could get a taxi home. Would probably say differently if he was going abroad but just 1 hour is fine, especially if a family member or friend stays the night with you

An hour is ok. If the unexpected happens it won't happen extremely quickly, he'll have time to get back. You'll just have to cash out for a cab if he's been drinking

I'd just enjoy having the bed to yourself for the night!