Planning Parent's Flights Around Delivery (When to Buy Tix)

2JEL

Quick question for you more experienced mamas:

My MIL lives about 4 hours away by plane, near two major airports that have a 2-3 direct flights per day between them and our home airport.  I am incredibly blessed to have a MIL who I love and it would mean a lot to both of us to have her at the hospital for birth and much of the labor.  How would/have you handled booking flights?  It'll be about $300 for a round trip flight if we book now but (a) I am due around thanksgiving (of course!) and (b) I suspect the change fees will be nuts if baby comes early and (c) don't want her here for weeks hanging out (mostly because we need her here to help post-birth and she has responsibilities back home) while our daughter hangs out in the womb.  I suspect just buying a 1-way ticket last minute as I go into labor (especially if little one comes right around Thanksgiving) could be upwards of $1000.

We do have sufficient frequent flier miles on AA and Delta and could potentially even transfer some hotel or CC points to another airline if using miles works.  I know years ago when I flew AA more regularly if you purchased an anytime award it was relatively painless to switch last minute to any available flight.

Thanks in advance for your wisdom!

AshleyO925

My mom and best friend flew here for the birth of my baby. They bought a same day ticket for 300 one way and made it in time. Keep in mind your baby may be late. I was 5 days late and labored for 28 hours so they made it before I even had to go to the hospital. It was a great experience having them here.

mc0113

I'd be careful buying too early. My boss stopped working 2 weeks before her due date and ended up being over a week late, so she had 3 weeks of sitting at home doing nothing. You just never know when you'll go into labor, so it's probably best to wait until you know it's time. 

PrimRoseMama

I would wait until the very last minute frankly. I went into labor at 1am last time & my labor was 14 hours. That is plenty of time.

My daughter's birth was 4 hours total. I understand that you would like her there but labor is unpredictable & it's not really a spectator sport.

2JEL

Thanks all for your input.  I think I was less than clear in my question, trying to figure out the cheapest option between buying a last minute ticket or flexible ticket or award ticket, etc.  But lots of helpful things to think about.  I suspect I will end up being induced sometime in week 40/41, which it sounds like will probably result in long labor (goody) and time for MIL to travel.