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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Baby moon advice!

24 replies

Amtheyest17 · 07/12/2021 19:23

Hello,

So DH and I would like to go on a little baby moon before the baby arrives, obviously we need to wait and see what happens with covid, but we were thinking of going to the Cotswolds which is around a 2hr drive from us. Annoyingly the only weekend we can do is three weeks before my due date - I’m 27 weeks atm and I’m struggling a bit with pelvic pain etc! Those that have had a baby before or maybe planning a baby moon - do you think this is too late to go away for the weekend?

Thank you x

OP posts:

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mugoftea456 · 07/12/2021 19:26

I've never heard of a baby moon ? Is it like a honeymoon ?

mugoftea456 · 07/12/2021 19:27

Personally I wouldn't go, but that because my babies have always arrived early. What are the hospitals like in the cotswold, easy to get to etc?

boymum88 · 07/12/2021 19:52

Depends on what you plan on doing, relaxing weekend, nice meals, pregnancy massage or lots of walking about?
Could you book something that is moveable if you don't feel up to going ?
Also take you notes and maybe your bags and know where the hospital is just incase

Totalwasteofpaper · 08/12/2021 07:19

My general advice is:
Go somewhere decent and adults only.

At 37 weeks I wouldn't be going anywhere though.y friend actually did what you are planning to do and ended up in labour and rushing back to London. not the relaxing break she hoped for.

gogohm · 08/12/2021 09:55

Stay at home and relax, go out for a nice dinner, perhaps the cinema - do you really want 4 hours in the car so heavily pregnant? Bizarre new trend

thatstheloveiwantiwantlove · 08/12/2021 09:57

Nope I wouldn't be going anywhere at 37 weeks

Plus what would you be expecting to do....it's lovely of course and lots to see...mostly involving being on your feet at a lot and lots of walking.....

Heruka · 08/12/2021 09:59

I’d be happy with it but only really because after two babies I know I don’t tend to go early like some people do and I have felt quite well at the end of pregnancies due to stopping work early and resting well. But even so, by that stage, getting a good nights sleep was difficult, nesting feelings are fairly strong, and home might be your favourite place. 37wk is full term. Can you not change some plans so you can go earlier?

sandgrown · 08/12/2021 10:12

As someone who went to a party the night my baby was due ( they have all been late ) I would say go for it . When my second child was born I was self employed in hospitality snd worked right up to labour starting. My daughter walked round a theme park the day before her baby was due . He popped out the next day after a very short labour . We believe keeping active , if possible, helps labour. Just have a nice relaxing weekend and take your hospital bag just in case .

Colinthecaterpillar35 · 08/12/2021 10:29

We did a 2 night break in the Cotswolds recently when I was 37 weeks. We didn't do anything apart from relax, have a stroll round the hotel grounds, watch films in our room in front of the log burner and enjoy the breakfast and dinner. I wouldn't suggest a full on break where you plan to do lots but I felt ever so relaxed doing the kind of thing we did and it was lovely to have a couple of nights away from home with my husband alone before we were to become 3!

Colinthecaterpillar35 · 08/12/2021 10:29

But remember to take your hospital bag and car seat with you just in case!!!

AuntieStella · 08/12/2021 10:33

@mugoftea456

I've never heard of a baby moon ? Is it like a honeymoon ?

Babymoon is a term which has been around since the 1970s, and like a honeymoon is after the wedding, it refers to the post natal period and is a time for cocooning (normally at home) with just the parents and newborn/s.

It gets a bit confusing sometimes when it gets misappropriated to refer to a holiday before the baby arrives.

Right now, during covid, I think the practical options are limited. Do not travel internationally, and instead look for a luxurious hotel with good facilities that you will actually use. Or a city break

LindaEllen · 08/12/2021 10:54

Nah, at 37 weeks it's not uncommon to go into labour. I wouldn't be risking going anywhere (probably not even the supermarket haha though I am prone to anxiety!)

BobbleWobble1 · 08/12/2021 12:49

Taking covid out of it as obviously that could change a lot of things.

With my first, we had a weekend away in London as we'd bought show tickets before I was pregnant and hoped to still make it. We knew we could have sold the tickets last minute and had a hotel that could be cancelled on the day etc. Lots of walking etc and I was 3 days before due date. I'm very glad we went and had no regrets going. I was very fit and well throughout though. In terms of precautions, we brought a small hospital bag with us and I made sure I knew where the nearest hospital was etc.

I was comfortable with my level of fitness and having a plan in place for unexpected labour. Thankfully neither were an issue. Despite all that activity, I still waited another week for DS to arrive.

AliceW89 · 08/12/2021 12:54

We went away at 37 weeks for 2 nights. I had a very easy, uneventful pregnancy and the car was packed ready for birth though just in case, including car seat.

Lou98 · 08/12/2021 12:56

Personally I wouldn't, at 37 weeks you're full term and could go any day, it isn't true that all first babies are late.
I also had SPD in my pregnancy and by 37 weeks I was in so much pain I just wanted to rest in my own bed.

I would also worry about needing to go to hospital, I was in a few times for reduced movements and glad I went when I did.

Could you change where you're going and go somewhere else sooner? I do think it's a nice idea to get one last break - we would have liked to do it but we had our baby at the start of this year so everywhere was shut with covid!

Maryann1975 · 08/12/2021 13:06

I thought a baby moon was staying at home and not having any visitors immediately after giving birth.

Why anyone want to go on a mini break 2 hours from home at 37 weeks pg is beyond me, but we are all different so it might suit some people.

Consider what would happen if you go in to labour while you are away and then have to stay in hospital for a couple of days. You will be fine in the hospital, but your Dh might have a stressful couple of days with no where local to stay. And then you’d Have a Potentially stressful 2 hour drive home with a newborn and Any pain from the delivery (possible stitches/c section wound).
37 weeks is considered full term and many women will go in to natural labour at 37 weeks.

welshladywhois40 · 08/12/2021 13:26

I would have done it and at 28 weeks we went away to Egypt for 6 days (good old pre covid days) - enjoyed relaxing on a sun lounger.

Book something you can cancel so if you feel like you can and if it's going to be too hard, cancel - it's a hard decision to make 10 weeks in advance.

And yes there is a chance you go into labour and there is a chance that you feel great and enjoy indulging in a lovely hotel, children free, eating in a restaurant, breakfast in bed ......

McPussy · 08/12/2021 13:29

I ended up having my daughter at 37 weeks so I'd think that's a bit too late, if anything I'd be going now

Olliesocks · 08/12/2021 13:33

Tbh, I wouldnt. How about one night in a posh hotel, with dinner, much closer to home instead?

TheCraicDealer · 08/12/2021 13:42

Nah not that late on, especially not the way things are now. Anyone I know who's had a baby in recent months has purposely wound down social/entertainment stuff in the weeks leading up to their due date to avoid them or their partner catching and testing positive for covid. Last I heard, if your partner tests positive they can't come in with you, doesn't matter if they're symptomatic or not.

You might only be going for a meal and to rest, flake out on a bed and watch films, but tbh you can do that at home and not pay £££ for the privilege. Prices at the moment for local hotels are astronomical.

Eumy · 08/12/2021 15:01

My DP and I were going to do a babymoon when I'd have been 35 weeks, although it was to a posh local hotel which is only about 30 mins away. In the end we changed our mind as we decided we'd rather use the money to get some nice food in, and chill and relax at home.

Can you instead look at getting some things for your own home/find somewhere closer? If you both like spa things then you can get one of those at home spa boxes?

Aranciata · 08/12/2021 15:58

I wouldn't go to the Cotswolds at 37 weeks, or equivalent 2 hours from me, if I wanted a bit of luxury I'd go to a hotel closer to home and to my hospital.

Two friends have had their first baby before 37 weeks in the last month so for me not worth it. I also want DH to be able to accompany me in labour and would worry about him catching covid.

There is also winter driving conditions to consider, the UK is poorly equipped for snow or ice. For me the discomfort of sitting in the car for that long at 37 weeks would also put me off.

There are plenty of people who would go, so just decide what you want to do and are comfortable with.

Original poster

Amtheyest17 · 21/12/2021 18:17

Thanks so much for all the responses! I didn’t get any of these notifications!!

Everyone has made really helpful points tbh I’m going to look if we can bring it earlier & maybe just do one night closer to home!! My situation is potentially changing from a super low risk pregnancy to the potential of not going full term. So even though we were literally not going to do much it’s probs for the best!

OP posts:

SouthwestSis · 21/12/2021 19:14

We just did one night away at 31 weeks and now that I'm 35+ weeks I'm so glad we did it then. These days I can't sleep, am uncomfortable all the time and even getting dressed feels like a lot of effort.
Would advise only booking if you can get a refund if covid restrictions change

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