Am I being crazy staying over at a wedding for 2 nights at 39+4 weeks pregnant?

[feelingsuperlucky]

We have a family wedding we would love to be able to attend, obviously fully aware baby could come early but just wondering how people felt at that stage, I know everyone is different but just curious! I've had a straight forward pregnancy and had it pretty easy to be honest (minus the heat wave!!!) I'm booked in for an elective csection at 39+6 due to this being an IVF pregnancy. The wedding is about an hour away from home but when we originally booked it was before I even knew I was pregnant so booked to stay the night before and the night of the wedding, am I being crazy thinking I'll be up for a 2 night stay and a wedding so close to my due date?

Some people live an hour away from a hospital, if you feel ok, then carry on and have a good time.

That is a really good point I hadn't even thought of it that way! I think because we're only 15 minutes way from the hospital I presume everyone else would be the same! Thanks for your reply x

Just pack your hospital bag and enjoy yourself

Don’t get pissed(😂) and have your hospital bag ready and a designated driver so you can go at any point. You can’t drive yourself!!

You'll be fine. We lived more than an hour away from hospital. If baby comes early you'll just have to make your excuses and go. You are likely to have plenty of warning- fast births are a rarity. The warning signs would be period like pain the day before.

It’s not crazy if that’s what you what. Personally I wouldn’t have wanted to give up my last 2 days at home nesting without the baby there, you won’t get that sort of time alone at home again for a long time. But if the wedding feels right then go for it! Take lots of hotel room snacks too

@knottywig Haha that made me giggle, I wish!! My partner is fully aware he's designated driver for the weekend!

@Lacksplease yes will defo monitor how I'm feeling before hand, someone mentioned even seeing a midwife the day before to ask for their opinion but I don't even know if that's an option!

@ToKittyornottoKitty I get that, that was also a thought! I've got 2 weeks maternity leave before my date (again, unless baby wants to make an early appearance) so I should be pretty straight! I think if it was a friend I'd be the same but this is our niece so would love to be there! Snacks is a great shout!

39+6 is pretty late for an ELCS. Mine was planned for 39+5 (unavoidable to due availability over easter long weekend) and DD2 was born at 39+3. DD1 came at 38w. So i agree with pp - presuming 1hr isnt trying to drive into Central London, take your notes and hospital bag, be ready at the first sign of anything happening to leave the wedding and make sure someone has zero alcohol to be able to drive you. For me, both times my waters broke before contractions started so it was obvious what was happening, but dont rely on the old "first babies are always late / take ages". That was not true for me. Make sure you are alert to any period like cramps / water leaking / contractions starting.

The other point though is by that point, you may be very uncomfortable. When is the wedding? With my June baby, I was basically just sat on the sofa in my underwear at that stage because I was so uncomfortable, and would not have wanted to get dressed up to go to a wedding. At the very least make sure someone gets you a chair so you arent standing about a lot!

Take your hospital bag and maternity notes with you, I had issues sleeping but might have enjoyed better sleep in a nice hotel room.

My best friend came to my wedding an hour away from home for 2 nights at 40+2 😬. 2nd baby. It came at 40+5 (the day after they got home).
We were in full understanding that there was obviously a strong chance she either wouldn’t be able to come at the last minute, or she would have to leave urgently, or that she may have needed to just come to the ceremony then go back to the hotel and rest. As it was she felt fine and had a great time.

@CrispAppleStrudels do you think it's late? That's the date the hospital gave us which as it was fell well for the wedding! The wedding is mid-July so this is another thing I'm aware of, because the heat this week has been awful!

@Bubblebathbefore8 If anything I'm hoping the hotel stay distracts me a little!

@BravasPatatas glad to hear your friend enjoyed your wedding! All our family are obviously aware of how close we will be so an urgent dart would be understandable! 😋

I personally wouldn't, especially if you need a C-section.

Plus, you need to make sure you have a few people you can rely on who aren't drinking alcohol, so they can drive you if needed.

I'd feel very nervous being in a new place, far from home, and not knowing where the hospital is or how to get there.

For me, it just wouldn't be worth the risk.