Advice please! Travelling at 34 weeks

[thismotherhoodthing]

I'm after some friendly advice. I'm currently 31 weeks pregnant and supposed to be travelling to attend a wedding where I will be 34 and a half weeks. I'd always planned to go, assuming I would feel fine and was looking forward to going.

However after speaking to my midwife she's given me some food for thought and I now feel quite worried about going. For context I live in Northumberland and the wedding is in Cornwall - we will need to fly and then hire a car to do a 3 hour drive. Otherwise it would be a 9-10 hour drive. It's a a 3 night trip.

My main worries are obviously the distance and being so far from home, as well as just getting overtired. Since I got to 28/29 weeks everything seems more exhausting and I've been to some full day events recently and felt like death the following day. As we're flying I can't take things with me like pregnancy pillow etc and not sure how comfortable the accommodation will be.

My main worries about not going are that I will obviously miss out, it's a close friend and I feel bad not going, also we will lose money as flights etc are paid for. I can just imagine sitting at home wondering why I didn't go. I've told my friend (bride) the situation and she was understanding but feel like I really need to give her a decision at this point.

Added complication is that I have a scan a week before the date as I have placenta previa so may be told I can't travel at that point!

Any advice or words of encouragement?!

I'm not medical so take what I say with a pinch of salt. I flew to the US for a holiday at about 34 weeks....it was fine. I didn't sleep great but enjoyed the holiday.

Low lying placenta can continue to move....so a scan at 34 weeks would be followed up with a further scan closer to your date....normally they move.

Personally unless the midwife gives you something more specific to stop you going then I would go. Maybe don't stay all the way through the evening....but you can still see your friend get married and enjoy the meal.

I wouldn’t, but my DD arrived in a hurry at 34 weeks.

I was going to say I’d take my hospital back and go, but if you have to fly and then drive 3 hours, I don’t think I would… and I’d be avoiding Cornwall like the plague right now, given Covid cases. I’m double vaccinated, as is DH, but my midwife has been clear that from 30 weeks we need to be careful as he won’t be able to be at the birth if he tests positive, even if he’s got no symptoms.

You could drive but split the trip down over two days? But if it’s already a three day trip, that’d mean it’d take 7 days, if you did it both ways… you’d be able to take more, but you’d still run the other risks.

What is the rest of the three days made up of? Could you drive down two days before, stay in a hotel half way, see your friend get married, skip the evening if you need to for rest and minimising contact and then come back the next day?

That’s the best I can think of!

Covid cases are sky high in Cornwall and hospitals in Cornwall and West Devon are in critical incidents and overwhelmed dealing with all the covid patients and holidaymakers, I can't see that situation suddenly improving in the next couple of weeks so I would stay away personally and I wouldn't even dream of it (and plane travel in general) unless you are double vaccinated.
A good friend will understand. Sometimes your health and your baby's health needs to come first.

I honestly can't think of anything worse than that journey at 34 weeks but if it were a close friend I'd find it a difficult decision too. I also wouldn't want to go because of COVID. Lots of people i know recently have contracted covid at weddings or biggish birthday parties. I'm definitely wanting to be more cautious in 3rd trimester, but I am more on the precautionary end of the spectrum

Why does placenta previa mean you can’t travel? I’m 34 weeks with a low lying placenta and just got my c section date but I’ve just flew (only in the uk) and drove 4 hours to meet some friends. I didn’t even think to ask if it would be okay, I just took my notes ooops!

@TakeYourFinalPosition

I was going to say I’d take my hospital back and go, but if you have to fly and then drive 3 hours, I don’t think I would… and I’d be avoiding Cornwall like the plague right now, given Covid cases. I’m double vaccinated, as is DH, but my midwife has been clear that from 30 weeks we need to be careful as he won’t be able to be at the birth if he tests positive, even if he’s got no symptoms.

You could drive but split the trip down over two days? But if it’s already a three day trip, that’d mean it’d take 7 days, if you did it both ways… you’d be able to take more, but you’d still run the other risks.

What is the rest of the three days made up of? Could you drive down two days before, stay in a hotel half way, see your friend get married, skip the evening if you need to for rest and minimising contact and then come back the next day?

That’s the best I can think of!

@thismotherhoodthing this is also a worry as we're both double vaccinated too but the midwife did warn about a Covid cases and say I need to be very careful about either of us testing positive at that stage.

Basically it's one day travelling down, one day wedding, one day of nothing and then a day travelling back. It's pretty much a full day of travel each way due to the distance (450 miles) and the flights are only on certain days so this is the minimum amount of time we could go for

@SouthwestSis

Covid cases are sky high in Cornwall and hospitals in Cornwall and West Devon are in critical incidents and overwhelmed dealing with all the covid patients and holidaymakers, I can't see that situation suddenly improving in the next couple of weeks so I would stay away personally and I wouldn't even dream of it (and plane travel in general) unless you are double vaccinated. A good friend will understand. Sometimes your health and your baby's health needs to come first.

@SouthwestSis thanks. I am double vaccinated but still quite wary of Covid cases especially being on a plane

@Thefaceofboe

Why does placenta previa mean you can’t travel? I’m 34 weeks with a low lying placenta and just got my c section date but I’ve just flew (only in the uk) and drove 4 hours to meet some friends. I didn’t even think to ask if it would be okay, I just took my notes ooops!

@Thefaceofboe it doesn't necessarily mean you can't travel but the midwife told me that depending on my situation at the scan I may be advised against activity including travel - but obviously I won't know this until the can and it might be fine - it's just that will be very last minute as scan is a week before the wedding if that makes sense

You could go and all fine

You could go and give birth there and end up having to stay in nicu there
Or come back with covid

No one can tell you what will be

It s whether you make peace with relaxing few weeks before the birth

Or travel across country for a wedding you want to go to but dont need to...no one needs to go to a wedding....they will be married with Or without you....can they do a livestream to watch with your feet up?

Honestly? I wouldn't make that kind of journey and I'm only 30 weeks unless it was a life or death situation.

I have complete placenta previa, am 31 weeks and have been advised to stay fairly local, no more than about 30 mins away ideally. I haven't had any bleeding yet but if I do I'm to go straight into the hospital. Having travelled 4 hours for a wedding at 36 weeks with undiagnosed pre eclampsia during which I felt pretty much fine I wouldn't do such a very long trip, you would have no hope of getting home to your hospital easily if something happened.

I wouldn't. I went home to Manchester from Scotland at 36 weeks and the drive took a lot longer than normal because I needed to stop to pee a lot. The journey made my ankles huge and once I got home I didn't get to do much because I was knackered. I did get to see my family though which was a bonus. Catching covid in the 3rd trimester can be dangerous for baby so I wouldn't take the risk, especially as the rates are skyrocketing in Cornwall and you won't be wearing a mask at the wedding. Sadly this is one I would give a miss. A long journey like that would be tiring at the best of times.

@Embracelife

You could go and all fine

You could go and give birth there and end up having to stay in nicu there
Or come back with covid

No one can tell you what will be

It s whether you make peace with relaxing few weeks before the birth

Or travel across country for a wedding you want to go to but dont need to...no one needs to go to a wedding....they will be married with Or without you....can they do a livestream to watch with your feet up?

@Embracelife this is pretty much where I am at with it too. I know that the likelihood is I'll go and all will be ok in terms of not going into early labour (although of course there's a chance) but I also know I'll probably feel wrecked the next day, based off how I felt after going to a wedding locally a few weeks ago.

I think if I'm honest I'm probably leaning towards not going but I am a bit worried it will seem like I am overreacting as I could still potentially have 6-8 weeks of pregnancy left after that point and I will be doing things during that time (albeit taking it easy and staying close to home)

@romdowa

Honestly? I wouldn't make that kind of journey and I'm only 30 weeks unless it was a life or death situation.

Thanks, that's good to know. It seems everyone has just differing views I've had some friends who've been pregnant say they think it's absolutely fine - but that's with the benefit of hindsight as they had uncomplicated pregnancies, I'm not sure they would have been so sure at the time

@Garman

I have complete placenta previa, am 31 weeks and have been advised to stay fairly local, no more than about 30 mins away ideally. I haven't had any bleeding yet but if I do I'm to go straight into the hospital. Having travelled 4 hours for a wedding at 36 weeks with undiagnosed pre eclampsia during which I felt pretty much fine I wouldn't do such a very long trip, you would have no hope of getting home to your hospital easily if something happened.

@Garman that's good to know, obviously I'm not sure what the situation will be with placenta as haven't had a scan since 20 weeks but it's good to hear your experience. I hope you are feeling ok and not too worried or anything, sounds like there's a chance I could be asked to stay local too then

@Sceptre86

I wouldn't. I went home to Manchester from Scotland at 36 weeks and the drive took a lot longer than normal because I needed to stop to pee a lot. The journey made my ankles huge and once I got home I didn't get to do much because I was knackered. I did get to see my family though which was a bonus. Catching covid in the 3rd trimester can be dangerous for baby so I wouldn't take the risk, especially as the rates are skyrocketing in Cornwall and you won't be wearing a mask at the wedding. Sadly this is one I would give a miss. A long journey like that would be tiring at the best of times.

@Sceptre86 thanks. That's good to hear your experience. I have done a few things recently (a local wedding and a day at a family party) both times I've felt ok on the day and then been unable to move for a day or two after! It really does take it out of you.

Sometimes I think there is a bit of pressure to "keep going" during late pregnancy as we see women doing all sorts but realistically I think it would really take it out of me and I'm wary of the risks with Covid too

During my first pregnancy, I wouldn't have thought twice about doing this. I was entirely well and being pregnant wouldn't have stopped me enjoying a wedding in the slightest even that late on. I'm not much of a drinker normally. For context, we did an overnight in London for a show 3 days before my due date due to pre booked tickets. I'm truly glad we didn't sell them. Just packed my notes and a bag of essentials and knew where the nearest maternity unit was etc.

Covid however puts a totally different spin on it. I'm definitely not someone who is over anxious or anything but I would be very concerned about the practical implications that catching covid would have on your birth plans assuming it wasn't severe.

Only you can decide if the friend is important enough that you're willing to take that chance. I'm not sure I would be.

At 34 weeks in my very straightforward first pregnancy, I flew to another European city for a conference and I definitely found it too much. The journey and socialising really took it out of me and I just really didn’t enjoy being so far from home at that stage in pregnancy, which surprised me. Add in covid and the particular concerns about Devon and Cornwall right now and I have to say I’m not sure I’d be going in your shoes.

I wouldn't want to travel at 34 weeks, my son arrived then. If you do intend to travel I'd definitely take a hospital bag and know where the nearest hospital is.

I wouldn't be too concerned about the travelling as it sounds like you have some R&R time built in... but the Covid situation would concern me. My sister lives in North Devon - so not Cornwall, but a similar situation... they have had such little worry about COVID all the way through. She said to me yesterday that suddenly nearly everyone they know has Covid or has a positive result in their family. It's rife and that would concern me.

I travelled at 30 weeks pregnant first time for work... I paid for an extra bag so I could take my pregnancy pillow... but otherwise, ask the hotel to provide extra pillows so you can at least have something under your bump etc. Obviously take your hospital notes etc.

It also depends how your pregnancy is going... at 34 weeks this time, I felt pretty good and I could manage it. But it just so depends on how you feel. We went to Wales at 37 weeks pregnant this time - that was 3.5 hours from home, but we drove, so we did have the baby seat and hospital bags in the boot, just in case. All was fine and I did a 6 mile hike and wild swim whilst I was there, so it was a lovely child free time to be "me" before baby-dom hits again. But I appreciate a lot of people thought I was mad for doing that ;-)

@BobbleWobble1

During my first pregnancy, I wouldn't have thought twice about doing this. I was entirely well and being pregnant wouldn't have stopped me enjoying a wedding in the slightest even that late on. I'm not much of a drinker normally. For context, we did an overnight in London for a show 3 days before my due date due to pre booked tickets. I'm truly glad we didn't sell them. Just packed my notes and a bag of essentials and knew where the nearest maternity unit was etc.

Covid however puts a totally different spin on it. I'm definitely not someone who is over anxious or anything but I would be very concerned about the practical implications that catching covid would have on your birth plans assuming it wasn't severe.

Only you can decide if the friend is important enough that you're willing to take that chance. I'm not sure I would be.

@BobbleWobble1 I agree Covid puts a different spin on things. It's also quite a difficult journey from one end of the country to the other - if it was another city like London or Manchester and a simple train journey or drive i might be thinking differently

@Tulipmonster

At 34 weeks in my very straightforward first pregnancy, I flew to another European city for a conference and I definitely found it too much. The journey and socialising really took it out of me and I just really didn’t enjoy being so far from home at that stage in pregnancy, which surprised me. Add in covid and the particular concerns about Devon and Cornwall right now and I have to say I’m not sure I’d be going in your shoes.

@Tulipmonster that sounds like how I would feel I think, I seem to be fine doing things at the time but then feel wiped afterwards. It's also a tricky journey which I think will be tiring especially if flights are delayed (which they always are, it's easyJet! Haha)

@SillyBry

I wouldn't be too concerned about the travelling as it sounds like you have some R&R time built in... but the Covid situation would concern me. My sister lives in North Devon - so not Cornwall, but a similar situation... they have had such little worry about COVID all the way through. She said to me yesterday that suddenly nearly everyone they know has Covid or has a positive result in their family. It's rife and that would concern me.

I travelled at 30 weeks pregnant first time for work... I paid for an extra bag so I could take my pregnancy pillow... but otherwise, ask the hotel to provide extra pillows so you can at least have something under your bump etc. Obviously take your hospital notes etc.

It also depends how your pregnancy is going... at 34 weeks this time, I felt pretty good and I could manage it. But it just so depends on how you feel. We went to Wales at 37 weeks pregnant this time - that was 3.5 hours from home, but we drove, so we did have the baby seat and hospital bags in the boot, just in case. All was fine and I did a 6 mile hike and wild swim whilst I was there, so it was a lovely child free time to be "me" before baby-dom hits again. But I appreciate a lot of people thought I was mad for doing that ;-)

@SillyBry thanks. We're staying in an Air B&B with some other people, so not a hotel so I'm not sure about the comfort aspect, extra pillows etc!

I do think Covid is a big factor. Sounds like you really enjoyed the last few weeks of your pregnancy! Every pregnancy is different, I seem to feel fine doing day trips, short walks, and things near home but full day events which involve lots of standing around and socialising like weddings and parties seem to exhaust me!

Can you travel over 2 days rather than 1 and split the journey up? I'd rather drive than fly in your condition especially as it means you can then tar everything you need plus your hospital bag.