C section 2 days after Christmas - would you travel?

[Peonyyyy]

I’ll be having my second c section (have a 3 year old) on 27th and should be going to in laws for Xmas day who live about an hour away. They haven’t put on any pressure but conscious of trying to decide whether to go for Christmas dinner or not a few days before c section.

I may be over thinking this but what would/did you do? They are about an hours drive away from us and therefore the hospital.

alternative option was to just have them over to us in the morning for presents etc and maybe breakfast, then they go back for their Christmas dinner and we just have a little dinner the 3 of us at home.

very undecided at the moment as I’m not sure whether I’ll just want to take it really easy and not move at all. Of course this could all go out the window if baby comes early anyway!

Sorry, wrong end of the stick. I still wouldn’t go 😂 I’d be resting

How are you feeling in yourself? At that stage in pregnancy with one of mine I was barely functional and with another I could have climbed mountains. I think that would probably guide me on this. I tend to think you’ll have an easier life being visited in the morning and keeping it quiet but you might prefer the idea of being waited on by them (if that’s what would happen).

I would go. I had terrible pregnancies and two c-sections and I still would have preferred to go to someone else in this situation. I would NOT have entertained the idea of having people in my house though 🤣

Thanks everyone, I feel ok, but have been up and down in this pregnancy and found it harder than my first. Maybe I need to see how I feel the week before?

tbh I’m leaning towards indulging in a nice quiet day just the 3 of us (other than when people come over in the morning) but I think I’m conscious of not wanting to make it stressful for other people. But then is the time to put my needs first? Once the baby is out I’m fully aware that it’s gonna be brutal with recovery, newborn sleep and a young child!

What gestation are you booked in at? There’s always the risk that you go in to labour before your scheduled c section!

@DownWhichOfLate ill be 39+3 - so yes, there’s every chance this could all go out the window anyway!

There’s no way I would be travelling. No way. I’ve had 2 c sections. Similar age gap. This time around you’ll be busier and more tired as there’s a 3 year old in the picture. Have them round if that works but maybe limit to a flying visit, or instead to pop over on NYE maybe (early on)? Do what suits your little family

Sounds like an opportunity for a restful Christmas day at home while it's still the 3 of you. Cook something easy for dinner and have a fun cosy day. If the in laws visit then get them to bring stuff so you're not having to do loads of hosting. I don't think at 39 weeks I'd be going an hour away from home if it could be avoided. 😊

I was absolutely fine after my c sections so I'd go

Lots of people not actually reading the OP!

So two days before your c section? Yes I'd go, if you feel well and are comfortable strapped into a car for an hour's journey. Of course it depends if you're happy being an hour away from your hospital. Personally I didn't go anywhere too far away for about a month before, but I was super anxious.

Yes I would go, especially as you’re 39 + 3 and only an hour away, easy enough to get back? If you’re comfortable with it then put your feet up this Christmas!

Nah, I’d duck out! Bit of bumpy road on the way and your waters might break 😂. Have them come to you if it doesn’t put too much pressure on you to tidy etc though

I would go and let everyone else do all the work. If you go into labour just leave. Tbh they won't rush you in for a csection on Christmas day, they'll put you on the labour ward for monitoring.

I'd go. An hour in the car isn't much. Easier than having people to yours plus cooking etc.... But it's totally down to how you're feeling by then.

Yes I would go.
Providing you get on and they will let you have a proper rest

I think I would try to go so I didn't have any shopping/cooking/tidying. Bring your medical notes with you!
But also because I would want to stay at home the following year so going there this year would help. (I'm assuming you don't need to drive yourself, and that your dp won't drink and expect you to drive home!)

@TheCoolOliveBalonz if they did come over it’d just be for the morning. I wouldn’t be hosting Christmas dinner, as I could potentially buy all the food but then have the baby early/on Christmas Day and would be a waste (also dont want to host when about to give birth!) but I would be fine with us having a little Xmas dinner for the 3 of us.

@Tomorrowisyesterday wouldn’t need to go the following year, we alternate years so next year would be visiting my family which are at the other end of the country x

I would go as an hour away by car doesn’t sound that far. I was frequently that far away from home in the days leading up to my scheduled c-section, including the day before. It’s up to you, of course.

I'd go, if you're not in labour or pain. It ticks off seeing them, stops you having to cook, and you may well feel fine. I was still at work full-time 2 days before my section.

Agree with this.

Sorry if this is intrusive, I guess no serious risk factor causing the need for the section?

Assuming not, I'd go. I'd sit and be waited on hand and foot whilst other people entertained my three year old and love it.

I'd have gone - I was working up to 4 days prior to my second c section and regularly driving myself that distance. An hour is nothing, if you went into labour just travel back. I'd probably take your hospital bag. Having people to entertain your toddler plus feed you all sounds perfect!

Who’s looking after your 3 year old when you have the c section?

I would go. It’s only an hour away and it would be less work than having people in your house. Assuming DH is driving. Could you leave 3 year old with them if you did go into labour?

I’ve done Christmas with just us and a toddler and it was basically the same as any other weekend day with a small child, just with added presents. Not particularly special or relaxing, but then I’m used to big family Christmases.

Thanks everyone, I think I’ll see how I feel on the day but leaning towards going if I feel up to it (won’t need to cook or clean, can come and go when we like!)