Matron of Honor at 37 Weeks?

Froggy76

Just found out a couple days ago that I am pregnant and due around August 13th.  This is a huge shock because we had put TTC on hold since SIL's wedding is July 24th and I am the Matron of Honor.  Oops! 

I'm not sure how to break the news to her- I'm hoping I can still attend, but I will obviously be VERY pregnant.  I know she will be very understanding, but I still feel bad!  Her wedding is about 3 hours away by car in a somewhat remote area. 

Any thoughts?  Appreciate any advice or opinions   Obviously I will have to play things by ear and talk to my doctor about attending the wedding as the date gets closer.

MissLMS

I would check with your OB on this one. Usually they don't like you traveling out of town after 36 weeks.

But, if your pregnancy is going well and you aren't progressing much, he/she may make an exception, especially as long as there is another hospital closer by the wedding location.

Three hours isn't too bad... When I was 35 weeks we drove 7 hours to DH's hometown for my shower. It was fine, but I did end up delivering 4 weeks later.

EDIT: Also, as far as the dress, if you still want to be in the wedding, I would just either get a maternity bridesmaid dress or order the largest wedding dress size they have and have it taken in. At 9 months pregnant, I could actually fit into a size 20 bridesmaids dress, with the top MAJORLY taken in. I was a 10 pre-pregnancy.

Froggy76

Thanks for the advice so far!  We are going bridesmaid dress shopping next weekend, so I will try to find something that will work.  I'm somewhat petite (5'3"), so it sounds like I'll be able to get by with a larger size dress taken in.

My biggest worry is that the nearest hospital is about an hour from the wedding reception.  Hopefully I won't deliver early since this is my first!

Froggy76

No concern about even sides, because she has 8 girls and 7 guys(!).  There is also a maid of honor, so it's not like she would need to replace me if I had to bow out.  Mostly, I would just be heartbroken if I had to miss her wedding

Meggie313

So happy you asked this question since I'm in the same boat!  I'm supossed to be in my brother's wedding on July 16th - due July 30th - in our hometown, which is 6 hours from where I currently live.  I haven't broken the news to anyone yet, but I'm super worried I won't be able to be there for it

jacmdb

My matron of honor was due right around my wedding. I choose a dress that had an empire waist and she ordered it a few sizes too big.

She had the baby on the 3rd and was in my wedding on the 7th. She is crazy!  

aliciabee

I just posted something similar.  My due date is Aug. 1 or 2nd, and my brother's wedding is August 7th!! 

gbtc01

My MOH was 8.5 months pregnant when we got married. They drove 8 hours and vacationed after the wedding in her condition. Its doable.

I had a matching dress for everyone else and the wekk before we went shopping for a dress that she liked and coordinated. Since she was MOH it didn't matter that hers was different. She actually wore a skirt and nice shirt combo. it was a small garden wedding so it was fairly informal anyways.

GL hope it works for you. I would just be honest with them and say you want to but only time will tell.

buckyfan30

I was in this situation, except for I was the Bride, and my best friend lived in Florida (myself in WI).  She had almost waited until it was too late for me to find someone else to fill her place because of how the dress shop orders the dresses.  My advice is to tell her as soon as you can, I hope you'll be able to go to the wedding!

cozylittlecave

I think everyone has given you great advice!! As long as you're flexible, talk with your doc, and have a plan (and a million backup plans too), you'll be fine. 

As per talking to your sis, I'd just ask her a lot about if there is anything she's uncomfortable with (ie: I wouldn't expect a 37 week pregnant matron of honor to stand at the wedding). I've been to weddings where they were named & honored, but for similar reasons, they sat in the audience as a guest (also saw this for a newborn mom). I'd think she'd be fine (and hopefully thrilled for you) if you make an effort to do what she wanted (although this OBVIOUSLY comes second to anything you or the doc think about what you can handle). 

ohfour

I think your Dr. will probably advise you not to drive 3 hours away at 37 weeks pregnant.