Would I be mad to do this?

[PanicMode]

I am due with #4 at the end of April (30th) and so thought I would go to my parents for the second week of the Easter holidays so I get a rest and the children get to have some fun with their grandparents. My parents have a big house, huge garden and they always spoil them (and me!) rotten and everyone enjoys themselves....

BUT, I will be coming up to 38 weeks pg, I will have to drive there and back on my own with the three of them (3 hours each way), and DH is terrified that I'll have the baby early and he'll miss it.

I've had a due date baby, and a baby on either side of their due dates, so chances are, this one will be on time too, but I can't help thinking that perhaps I'm being a bit selfish to want to go to the West Country so close to the birth - but equally, the thought of a week at home, very heavily pg with three children sounds shattering....

Should I stay or should I go - that is the question?!

Would you be taking the only car? ie, if you did go into labour, how quickly could DH get there? 3 hours does not sound too bad, unless you have super quick labours.

Yes I would have the only car - trains are a pain from where we are, so it would take him about 4 hours to get to us - DC3 arrived within 3 hours of me having my first contraction and the MW thinks that there's a good chance this one could also be fairly fast....

Can't your DH go with you? Then you could take your notes and relax, somewhat!

DEFINITELY GO ! Be spoiled,rest enjoy!! You know the signs by now,so can minimise risk and make safe decisions. 3 hours shd be ok,and is not too bad for a quick dash if DH needs to do it.How lovely to have somewhere lovely to be looked after and distracted at just the time you and DC both need it.Home will not be fun...That will be my scenario,with 4 DC's 8 - 14, and I am due April 28th.I'd be there like a shot!!!!
Good luck

Can he drive you there so that he has the car if you need him quickly?

Or can your parents come to you?

I would not be happy about driving 3 hours at that stage of pregnancy.

Unfortunately DH can't come with me - everyone else on the team has time off and he has to be there to cover for his boss....my mother has offered to come up and drive down with me (although she won't drive my 'bus' so I would have to do all the driving).

My instinct is to go - dealing with three children 5 and under whilst heavily pg is going to be hard enough work as it is, but then I'm scared that if I DO have the baby early DH will never forgive me!!

I'm also expecting my 4th at the end of April. My parents are coming to me for the second week of the holidays, though, as I would find the 4 hr drive too tiring. I also don't want to leave my nest!

Can your mum or dad come and pick you up, so DH has car? or DH drop you? Do you have a plan for if you go into labour while with your parents?

I would say go for it.