How late can I travel (within UK)?

[fromheretomaternity]

I am pregnant with No 2 and I should remember this, but how late is it advisable to travel within the UK ahead of the birth? Planning a 1 week break in a cottage somewhere and am due early November - early Sept would work well for the accommodation but that might be cutting it a bit fine?

(I will be doing the driving too!)

I suppose it depends how far you're planning to travel really. I would say the nearer you'll be to home, the later you could go. Bear in mind though that the second one might come a lot quicker than the first, so you probably won't be able to hop back in the car and drive yourself home through gritted teeth!

I travelled 2 hours away from home 5 weeks before ds was due, 3 weeks before he was born. Just make sure you take your maternity notes with you & research where the nearest hospital is in case of an emergency but 8 weeks before should be fine. 37 weeks is classed as full term so I would avoid anything after that!

I travelled 5 hours away from home, 2 weeks before my due date in my last pregnancy. I took my notes and found out where the hospitals were.

BUT DH was with me to drive, I think I would be reluctant to go anywhere after 36 weeks if I had to do the driving. wouldn't fancy driving a long way home with a tiny baby!

I travelled from London to Liverpool for a wedding at 38 weeks. DH was driving. I felt fine (apart from the constant need to pee!). DD arrived at 39 weeks.

Depends where you're going and how you feel about it - a friend came from Edinburgh to Brighton for our wedding when she was 39 weeks, bringing her hospital bag and car seat (and stopping at every service station in Britain to pee on the way...) because it was baby no. 5 and she had cover for the other 4 and wasn't much bothered where she gave birth. I went into London for a couple of meetings at 40 weeks, with my notes but also knowing that dc1 had been 2 weeks late. Was planning a home birth but if I'd been taken short there are plenty of places to give birth in central London. On the other hand with dc1 I felt like staying very close to home for the last few weeks and felt too fragile for trains and tubes long before the end. I think it's all about what you're comfortable with - no moral or medical absolutes!

I went 4 hours away for a hen weekend at 32 weeks. Took my notes with me.

I will be 37 weeks for my friends wedding about 3 hours drive away. DH will be driving. We will be staying for a long weekend there so will be fully prepared with notes and hospital bag ready just in case.

You would be 32 weeks? Don't see a problem there unless you have health problems in some way? I am off to two conferences at 35 weeks pregnant, driving myself on my own(300 miles round trip) and giving talks. Will just take my notes. Luckily the conferences I am talking at will be full of midwives

Actually perhaps thats not too sensible but I already have DS 3.5 and DD 1.5 and it feels like a relaxing break

8 weeks before your due date?
You can even fly up to 36 weeks so I don't understand why there would be a problem? Unless you have a history of premature labour?

I'm travelling 80miles tomorrow at 34.5 weeks and 120 miles next week at 35.5 weeks. DH is driving. Not concerned. I'm just going to take my notes, a small bag and check out the nearest hospitals.

I am travelling to Cornwall (from London) at 39 weeks with my first. I am going for a wedding and will stay down there for the weekend. I'll take my hospital bag and notes etc just in case but I don't really mind where I have the baby and my parents are in Devon anyway...

Oh, and I am flying to Italy for a week at 33 weeks!

I will be going to a wedding 8 hours away at the end of the month at 36 weeks.

We're doing plenty of stops and an overnight break half way on the way there.

Will be taking my notes and maybe my hospital bag if it's packed

Would say definitely go to Cornwall - make the most of being three instead of four.