Would you go on holiday a fortnight before you are due?

[bamboo]

I'm expecting for the second time at end of August. We've already got a weeks holiday booked starting two weeks before. It's only to Norfolk and is in a large house with parents, and various brothers, sisters and kids. I'd be gutted to miss it and my instinct is to definitely plan to go - just take my bag, notes and find out where the nearest maternity unit. Am I naive in thinking like this? - DD1 was emergency C-section but I'm hoping I'll get support for a VBAC this time. I guess there must be lots of other mumsnetters given birth away from where they planned so any advice welcome.

[PiccadillyCircus]

In my case I wouldn't have been able to as from 35 weeks onwards I was in and out of hospital and was in for a week before DS was born at 38+3.

But had I not been in hospital more than I was out of it, I would think about it. I would want to know that there was a hospital a reasonable difference away and that I knew something about it and had preferably visited it. Also, were I wanting a VBAC I would want to know the hospital's policy.

[motherinferior]

I wouldn't - do you really want to go on a long journey home, after you've just given birth? And do you really want to risk a hospital you don't know at all, especially with a VBAC to consider?

But then by the fortnight before my second due date, dd2 was already two days old.

[serenity]

I would, but all of mine were late so I wouldn't have worried about going into labour early.

However, I did drive 1.5 hours to go to a wedding reception when I was 3 days overdue with DS2. I took everything with me, and I knew exactly were the nearest hospital was. B and G were really happy we'd gone, and I had a far more relaxed time there than if I'd sat at home waiting for something to happen!

I think if your m/w and gp are happy for you to go, then go and have a wonderfully pampered time!

[essbee]

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[hercules]

I'd go.

[Tommy]

I think being around family etc is more important than which hospital you are in anyway! I would definitely go. Perhaps speak to your midwife and ask her to contact nearest hospitla to chat things through?

[Pidge]

Well, personally I would go. But then my dd was 8 days late, and it was a long slow (3 day) labour, and I'm now 4 days overdue with number 2.

I would weigh up when your first baby arrived, how long the labour was, how much warning you got of labour starting etc. And follow your instincts. And remember there are no guarantees, so you have to be happy with the idea of going into labour early in a strange place.

[lou33]

dublin

[mears]

Bamboo - if you want to go then I would. As long as you carry your hand-held notes and know how to contact the nearest maternity unit, there really should not be a problem. Make sure ofcourse that it is a consultant unit you go to being a previous C/S. If you are hoping for a VBAC, the hospital cannot alter that, policy or not. I am not aware of any hospital that would have a policy against VBAC.
Chances are you'll have a lovely holiday and go into labour when you are back home

[lou33]

dd2

[bamboo]

Another thought occured to me last night in bed - as all my family are holidaying in Norfolk there would be no-one to look after DD if we stayed at home and I went into labour that week! Pregnancy turns you into a jellyhead doesn't it - can't believe I hadn't thought of that! I don't fancy the prospect of going into hospital without DH esp if I ended up in theatre again.

Basically, I think I need to find out the situation with the hospitals near the holiday home. It's not a decision I need to make now, I guess, as holiday is booked and paid for and we can decide at last minute whether or not to go. I'll speak to my midwife when I see her next.

DD1 was 1 week late and I just remember feeling incredibly bored rather than v.uncomfortable for the last 3 weeks once I had finished work. This was April though, not height of summer.

Might be nice to be pampered by everyone, though since my SIL will (all being well) just have had twins perhaps I shouldn't expect a monopoly on it.

[prunegirl]

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[Steppy1]

...glad I didn't was 3 weeks early with both of mine !!!!!!!

[blossom2]

I went to Southampton (lived in london) with DD was born (first child). I was 37 weeks. We stayed at a golf & spa place - got a great deal since it was in march. Arrived on the sunday, got nails done on the monday, went into labour on the tuesday and DD was born on the wednesday.

The local hospital turned out to be a maternity hospital with all the facilities. My room was amazing - rocking chair, en suite, CD player, TV & radio and decorated with a seaside theme!! was pretty amazing and because we were away from home, the second night, they arranged for us to have an empty ward and DH was with us the whole time. We got to stay 3 nights and drove back to London with a baby!!! I would not have changed it for the world!

We were also lucky in that we had friends in southampton who came to visit. But I do understand your dilemma Bamboo.

[jaqphil]

Recommend yes...Went on holiday to Miami at 28 weeks and started contractions at 29 weeks. Although the hospital were fantastic the thought of giving birth (apart from the obvious preterm traumas) without family and friends to visit and support was awful. Even the prospect of three months living in Miami until the baby was progressed enough to fly was not comparable to the required emotional support. Luckily they managed to halt it and I could fly home. SO byt the shear fact you'd have your family around it woldn't matter where you are.