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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

AIBU? - Family do 2 Weeks before Due Date.

44 replies

Rldowning · 28/06/2023 09:51

Hi all.

So, my husbands family have this big family event happening 2 weeks before my due date, it's been planned forever, I've just gotten pregnant with poor timing. Anyway, I am concerned about going, this is my first pregnancy and the family event is about an hour and a quarter drive away from my home and the hospital I plan on giving birth in. I'm basically worried that I might go into labour early!

There is another hospital a bit closer, but not really one I'm overly keen on, also, everyone at this party will be drinking, so I will have to rely on an ambulance and their response time.

I know if I don't go my husband won't go and be very upset about it. Am I worrying over nothing and odds are I'll be fine, or am I better off staying at home that close to my due date?

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

BluesandClues · 28/06/2023 09:53

Most first babies are late, most first labours take a while to get going. I think you’d be fine to go (pregnancy depending).

Latenightreader · 28/06/2023 09:54

You don’t call for on an ambulance for labour unless it is an emergency. You take a taxi or arrange for someone not to drink. Surely it is better for your husband to go and not drink rather than miss out altogether?

BluesandClues · 28/06/2023 09:54

Also, you can ask your husband not to drink if that’s your concern.

HeddaGarbled · 28/06/2023 09:54

An hour and a quarter will be fine.

flowergirl2020 · 28/06/2023 09:55

You'll only know nearer to the time in terms of how you're feeling, twinges, bump dropping etc. I'd make the decision then based on how you feel but whether you stay at home or go I'd just have your husband not drink so he is able to drive you to your preferred hospital. I was induced and had a emergency section but all my mum friends who had a natural birth - was a while before hospital called them to come in as they wanted them to Labour at home as long as possible xx best of luck with welcoming your first little one and congratulations xx

petalsandstars · 28/06/2023 09:55

Easy - go but DH doesn’t drink so you can leave if needed. Have your hospital bag in the car etc

Youcancallmeirrelevant · 28/06/2023 09:56

You go, honestly chances are you will go overdue.

Your husband needs to not drink though so he could drive you

WonkyBricks · 28/06/2023 09:56

I think the distance away is fine, especially for a first pregnancy and the fact that there is a hospital closer if needed. Also an ambulance wouldn't take you to a hospital just because you didn't have your own transport- unless baby is arriving imminently/it's an actual emergency situation. You'd need to arrange your own taxi.

MadamWhiteleigh · 28/06/2023 09:57

While there’s always exceptions, first-time labours usually take ages. Days. You’re worrying about something that’s extremely unlikely to be a problem.

JaukiVexnoydi · 28/06/2023 09:59

It's very unlikely that your baby will be early. And if something does happen, there will be time between first-twinges and actual-labour to get home.

More realistic a concern is simply how tired and immobile you are by 38wks. I had a family wedding I had to attend at 34 weeks and that was very draining - you will need to make sure that there's a chair for you at all times even if most people are standing about chatting, and ideally it would be good if there was somewhere quiet where you can retreat for a lie-down.

Hugasauras · 28/06/2023 10:00

I wouldn't be overly worried tbh. I went to a work pub night out an hour away on the train at 38 weeks pregnant with DD2 and didn't feel worried about it. We are 45 mins drive from the hospital from home anyway!

elliebelliex · 28/06/2023 10:01

First babies are mostly always late and even if you did go into labour while you were there you would have enough time to get to the hospital, so DH needs to just not drink so he can drive you there if needs be.
I was in labour for 6 days with my first and had her at 41+2. You will be fine!

yogasaurus · 28/06/2023 10:02

Nothing will happen that quickly with your first baby, it’s not like the movies.

Speak to your midwife at your next appointment, they’ll be able to allay any fears you have.

Congratulations!

Sycasmores · 28/06/2023 10:02

If your DH isn't willing to stay sober I'd let him go alone.

ThomasinaLivesHere · 28/06/2023 10:03

I agree with others. Chances are with first it will be past due date and a long labour from first signs to when you actually get to the latter stages. Definitely should be time to get back. And like others say husband doesn’t drink and drives you.

Coffeaddict · 28/06/2023 10:06

I went to a family do when I was 39 weeks with my first. It was an hour and a half away from my house and local hospital. I had a designated driver ( another family memeber who doesn't drink anyway) and DP was under strict instruction not to get drunk.

As others have said 1st labour's take a while. If your showing any signs before just don't go but I think you will be fine

FlounderingFruitcake · 28/06/2023 10:11

It’s unlikely you’ll go early, it’s unlikely labour will be that quick. I think I would have found the last few weeks really dull if I’d limited myself to staying close to home/hospital - it’s your last chance to do stuff baby free!! But the obvious compromise is that your DH doesn’t drink/only has 1 so that he can drive if needs be, unless it’s somewhere where it’s always possible to get a taxi then I’d be ok with him having more so long as he wasn’t plastered.

LtotheOG · 28/06/2023 10:16

If you went into labour and nobody could drive you'd need to get a taxi.

Ambulances aren't labour transport, unless in a life or death scenario. Also it's likely that an ambulance wouldn't get to you for many hours in the current climate, as they'd be prioritising emergencies.

Legaldrama · 28/06/2023 10:21

Pre covid loads of people commuted longer than that right up until mat leave, you'll be grand.
But please don't call an ambulance for labour.

Original poster

Rldowning · 28/06/2023 10:28

Thank you everyone. This has all been very reassuring. As it's my first there was all this I didn't really know, really appreciate all your responses!

OP posts:

MushroomQueen · 28/06/2023 11:00

I would go - and im saying that as someone who has their babies 2 weeks early- my first was early still term 37 weeks which is unusual - still had plenty of time to go to hospital and you get lots of warning with first. Mine was quick relatively for a first but i laboured at home for 3 hours so plenty (hospital is 10 mins away) and went into still had a couple of hours b4 birth. My 3rd was v fast and I wouldn't have made it but i was already wandering around 5cm not in active labour for days

SunSurfSand · 28/06/2023 11:28

I'd go, you'll be fine.

But DH shouldn't drink at all.

I'd go on that basis and if he had a drink I would hit the roof.

Equalitea · 28/06/2023 11:31

If your husband wants to go and you’re worried then why can’t he not drink? You’d have probably had the baby at the event by the time the baby arrived and it’s not really the correct use of an ambulance anyway.

Hazelnuttella · 28/06/2023 11:36

Don’t worry, you’ll be fine.
If you start going into labour, just go home.

Labour is usually quite a long process and might start off very slowly. Your hospital won’t let you come in until you’re having 3 contractions within a 10 minute interval (that’s what mine said anyway).

I had 12 hours at home before going in to hospital, so there would be plenty of time to prepare.

But your DH definitely should not drink. An ambulance is not a taxi and going into a normal labour is not an emergency.

Peony654 · 28/06/2023 11:38

I really wouldn't worry - but I'd suggest your DH doesn't drink. That's some people's normal commute and a lot of people would still being doing that 2 weeks before due date.

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