Going to France at 34 weeks pregnant?

[Sal321]

My parents have offered to take me to France (near Calais) for 2 nights when I am 34 weeks pregnant (on a booze cruise, but not for me!). I have a European Health Insurance Card but no travel insurance. My questions are:

Should I go at all or is it a bad idea?
Do I need travel insurance? Where can I get it?
Are there any other thinks I should be thinking about?

This is my first baby so I have no idea about these things

I went to Brussels for an interview at 35 weeks, by Eurostar, and it was fine. I wasn't much up to touristy walking for miles, but I enjoyed sitting in the Grand Place and buying lace and chocolate!

I have great travel insurance with Atlas Direct (online); for you it's probably worth it under the circumstances.

i'm going to France for 2 weeks when I'm 34-36 weeks, I don't think there'll be any problem. Apparently they have babies in France too!

Can I ask what ferry company you're going with? as you will need to check SeaFrance guidelines, but I do know that P&O will take you up to 38 weeks with a doctors note, but Britanny Ferries the limit it 32 weeks.

Also, if you're going P&O let them know when you check in, or as soon as you're on the car deck - there is always someone directing you - that you'll need extra room on the car deck otherwise you won't be able to get out of the car door! (my dad worked for P&O for years and has told me this tip!)

Hope that helps!

You'll need travel insurance as the EHIC only covers costs at the point of care, e.g. hospital fees. It wouldn't cover accomodation for your family and getting you (and the baby if appropriate) home if needed.

Check with your midwife that she's okay with you going.

Also, how are you doing with car travel? You should really stop every hour or so to stretch your legs at least, as DVT is a risk during pregnancy. And that's without needing the loo, or needing more food or drink. So journeys take longer.

We went to Lille for the weekend at about 37 weeks. It was absolutely fine - doubt v much you will get insurance though.

If the worst comes to the worst, the hospital in Calais is quite good for premature babies.

If you want to go, go

I went to France for a week when I was 34 weeks - I was still feeling reasonably sprightly at that time but just starting to get uncomfortable so take some pillows/cushions with you and, as japhrimel says, make regular stops to stretch your legs.

Bon voyage!

I think that we will go by Eurotunnel as that doesn't have any restrictions, so I won't need to hassle my GP for a note.

It sounds like insurance is necessary - I think I will ring some companies to check whether they will cover me as I don't want to miss any exclusions in the small print.

Many thanks for the advice.

This post has made me check my insurance, and if it any help I've just phoned them and they said if your carrier is happy to take you then your insurance will cover you, but it would be a good idea to check.

I don't think they can not cover you as that will be discrimination as pregnancy isn't a health condition.

I've just come back from a week in France and was 36 weeks at the point of travel. I used the Eurostar and SNCF - both completely hassle-free and don't care how pregnant you are (the French are generally more relaxed about pregnancy than us anyway). You can travel first class on the SNCF for only a tiny amount more so worth checking out if you're thinking about it.
I used 'insureandgo' travel insurance, they will cover you for any emergencies or currently undiagnosed medical conditions that occur whilst you are away, including emergency c-sec etc. What they won't cover you for is natural labour/birth - but I believe this is standard for most insurers.

Go and have a lovely time before the whirlwind arrives!