Partner going abroad 4 weeks before due date

[Motherof1and2dogs]

Just need some reassurance as I am freaking out! My husband is going to Portugal for work from the 17th - 20th June and my Due date is 15th July. He is also away end of June for a few nights but this is in the UK so getting back if need be isn’t as problematic.
I keep freaking out that if I go into labour 4 weeks early he won’t be able to make it back in time. Getting a last minute flight, all the waiting around, potential delays etc could mean it old take a whole day for him to get back. I hear stories that the second baby just flops out with ease so there isn’t as much time the second time round 😅

I just wanted to see how common/ uncommon it is to be 4 weeks early, would youse be telling your partner to not go, am I freaking out for no reason, I know 4 weeks is still a big gap but the fact I don’t really have anyone else that can be with me IF I was to go into labour scares me so much! I have bad anxiety as it is so this does not help!

I wouldn't panic but would have a plan b,c and d!

Talk to your midwife about options. I had a quick labour with my daughter and I was fully dilated when I got to the hospital and in hindsight had been getting urges to push at home before we left. We were 20 minutes from the hospital but are now 30-45 minutes. I'm down for a hospital delivery this time but I'm also being put on the home delivery pack list (delivered at 36 weeks) so that if I go into labour quickly again and can't get to the hospital they have what they need if I need an unplanned home birth.
Given the potential delays in getting child care to you in the event of an early labour it might be worth discussing a back up home birth kit.

My DH had to go to the US for 4 days when I was 36 weeks pregnant. It was hell because my work was insane, I had a toddler to look after and I was utterly exhausted. I was never seriously worried that the baby would come early but I did make sure his parents weren’t away that week.

I drew the line at the South Korea trip that was happening at 38 weeks though!

@Superscientist that is crazy! my first born I was in labour for 23 hours, the fact it can all happen within an hour or two is mind blowing! I didn’t even think about getting to the hospital if my husband wasn’t here and I went into labour. I will definitely speak to my midwife about this to see what they suggest. I just assumed you would call 999 but I suppose it’s not really classed as an emergency!

@Motherof1and2dogs
My mum was only in labour with me for 20 minutes and I was born on the maternity ward as they didn't have time to get her to the delivery room! Thankfully she was in for bed rest as I'd stopped growing!

Yes I've been told to call an ambulance if I think I'm progressing quickly to avoid delivering at the side of the road and to call the maternity number, if one of the midwives is available they can come out to do a home birth

When I was due with no 2 there was a massive (well for London) snow storm coming. Sort of thing that would stop transport, people getting to hospital. I asked the midwife what would happen if I went into labour early and couldn’t get to hospital. She said I wouldn’t go into labour. My body would know it wasn’t possible.
I was also told I could have an elective section on my due date but if I laboured early they would want me to try it naturally. Mind over matter and I didn’t labour early. I’m trying to say I think your body and mind won’t let you have the baby early as you won’t be ‘ready’.(medical issues aside).