Is it a bad idea to go on holiday at 35 weeks pregnant?

[SweetSycamores]

So, this year we decided to go away for Christmas, as I always find Christmas with my extended family extremely stressful. Our house is being renovated so the prospect of Christmas at our house wasn't much fun either and we thought it was a good excuse to have a little holiday and visit somewhere we've never been.

We live in the South and booked a trip to a village in Snowdonia National Park for Christmas. It's about a 5 hour drive away. I'm pregnant with my second and due 30th January, which I believe puts me at 35 weeks over Christmas. The whole trip is fully refundable so we can still cancel.

The closest hospital with a maternity ward to where we're staying is about a 45 minute drive from where we're staying.

My first child came at 41+5. I was induced because I was showing 0 signs of going into labour. I had to be monitored during the birth as she was becoming hyper stimulated, and after induction she came incredibly quickly.

Do you think it's a stupid idea to go away so close to my due date?

i wouldn’t no
i wouldn’t have wanted to

Omg absolutely not. Crammed up and uncomfortable not to mention the risk of going in to labour (ok probably not likely but still a risk). Is it a very short flight though? Not sure I'd feel like going away though at that stage in pregnancy.

My first baby was born at 41wks and only because I was induced. Second was born just after 37wks so don't use your first as a guide of when second will likely come.

Obviously it’s personal preference and what you are comfortable with, but I wouldn’t have gone on a trip 5 hours away at 35 weeks no.

We did go on a little staycation when I was 36 weeks to a little spa/lodge type thing for a few nights and it was absolutely amazing and just what we needed to relax and unwind, but it was about a 45 min drive from home and closest hospital 10 mins away so there was never any worry really, we could have been home, at our hospital or at any hospital within 10-45 mins.

I’m 35 weeks now and I wouldn’t want to go that far. I’d be worried about being rural and that far from a hospital. What if it snows? Can you find somewhere more local to go instead? I’d feel ok going somewhere within a couple of hours but it’s my first baby so expecting it would take a while anyway

I probably wouldn't go to Snowdonia but maybe a nice holiday cottage near you would be OK. What can be a 45 minute scenic drive through the Welsh mountains in the height of summer can become an absolute nightmare with rain, frost and snow.

No and especially not with a second child, because you already need plans A, B and C in place for childcare for DC1. Labour is likely to be shorter, so quick journey times more essential. And you will not want to face a long drive home with a newborn plus DC1 plus you immediately after birth.

Not to mention that you will worry that Dc2 may arrive early, which will overshadow the holiday.

By all means have a holiday and get away - but not that far, definitely not. Stay within a stones throw of emergency maternity services! 😉 Perhaps I'm biased, DS arrived at 35 weeks and was quite poorly

Within the U.K. I would, but take your hospital bag

I’d jump at it. Help with dc, company and help with cooking etc…bliss

Oh we'd be staying in a hotel and don't know anyone there haha so there'd be none that!

Thanks for your honesty everyone. The more I read these replies, the more I wonder what on earth I was thinking 😂

No way!! Can you swap to somewhere under an hour/2 from home? What about dc1’s childcare?

Absolutely not. I would want to be at home nearby my hospital.

Ah it’s ok, cross posted with you @SweetSycamores
glad you’ve seen sense!

now, about that home renovation… 😬

No I wouldn’t. Lugging suitcases, kids stuff, faffing with cooking in an unknown place (if SC), different bed, kids not settling, being uncomfortable…

Yep that's a good idea and probably what we'll do.

DC1 was going to come on holiday with us, however if I go into labour in North Wales we'd have no additional childcare for her so it is a silly idea!

I was also induced with DC1 at 41+5. DC2 came spontaneously at 39+4.

35 weeks is a bit close for comfort for me but not ridiculously. Especially as you're not going abroad so no worries about not being under NHS or needing to sort an extra passport.

I'd probably go.

@I think I think it's ok to go when you’re 35 weeks pregnant as long as your pregnancy is progressing well and there’s no obvious risk. But also it depends on how long you’re going to stay. If it’s up to 2 weeks I think it’s fine especially if you say you’re driving not flying or going to different country. And anyway I think woman are allowed to travel even by plane up to 36 weeks if they have doctors clearance and normal pregnancy. So personally with what I’m like I’d go.

I would absolutely go away, but not 5 hours away from home and not in the middle of no-where (i.e. not near a hospital and with the possibility of being iced/snowed in). Book somewhere within 2 hours, near ish to a maternity unit (within 30 mins on a decent road) and definitely take your notes and car seat.
I gave birth 3 hours from home at 38 weeks after my waters broke in the services of the motorway. Was not planned, but not the end of the world...and yes, had my notes and car seat.

I'd say yes. You never know when that baby will come.

exactly why i wouldn’t

and at that time of year

in a part of the country that often gets snow

I can think of nothing worse than sitting in a car for 5 hours with a child at 35 weeks pregnant in the middle of winter. 🙈

Well, when you put it like that... 😂

I did it with 3rd baby , travelled 3 hours away , took pregnancy notes with me and sussed out where hospital was beforehand.
It was to my favourite place , the weather was lovely and it was really relaxing.
My mother was having kittens about it !