work trip at almost 36 weeks

zockrockwife · June 2012

Hi ladies,

I'm sure this question has been posed already, but couldn't find a thread in the past couple of days.

I have a work trip to take which is about 4 hours away. It will be me and a co-worker going to the conference. At that point I will be 35w6d and returning the next day. I have an appointment on Monday, and I will ask my OB at that point if it's safe enough to take the trip. Up until this point, I've had no complications and baby is doing well. I wanted to see what you ladies had to contribute.

Thanks!

MississippiCatfish · June 2012

I had to make a few car and plane trips that were about 3 hours each way. I did these at 23 and 25 weeks and was very uncomfortable. My back/abdomen/ribs were all very sore. I know that you *can* do it, and those are the responses that people usually get to these kinds of posts, but I just want you to be prepared if you do - I can imagine it's not any easier at 36 weeks than in the 2nd tri!!

Also...just a thought: Make sure that you'll be okay with it if it's a bad gas day and you're stuck in a car with that co-worker for 4 hours. Just be prepared;)

tiffmatt · June 2012

Is it a car trip? If you are flying you will need to check with the airline regarding any policy they may have regarding pregnany fliers. Some airlines restrict travel after 36 weeks, others require a doctor's note saying you are approved to travel. Regardless, it is best to speak with your doctor.

I plan to speak with my doc at my next appt as there may be a need for me to fly right around 36 weeks. I am going to ask when she can confidently say whether or not I am clear to fly at that time. Obviously I don't want to book a flight only to find out last minute that I am grounded.

denise_m · June 2012

Even in my first, super easy, routine pregnancy, my doctor was not supportive of going anywhere more than an hour away after 35 weeks.

zockrockwife · June 2012

tiffmatt:

Is it a car trip? If you are flying you will need to check with the airline regarding any policy they may have regarding pregnany fliers. Some airlines restrict travel after 36 weeks, others require a doctor's note saying you are approved to travel. Regardless, it is best to speak with your doctor.

I plan to speak with my doc at my next appt as there may be a need for me to fly right around 36 weeks. I am going to ask when she can confidently say whether or not I am clear to fly at that time. Obviously I don't want to book a flight only to find out last minute that I am grounded.

We will be taking a car and making several stops on the way down to stretch and use the bathroom.

jessican08 · June 2012

I personally would not. If you do decide to go though, just make sure your insurance would cover you should you happen to go into labor and can't get to your own hospital in time to deliver.

Sami519 · June 2012

I would check with your doc first, but for DS #1 I was told not to go anywhere more than an hour away after 34 weeks and I think that's pretty common. I actually got a lecture about traveling at 29 weeks (6 hour car ride) about how I need to frequently get out of the car to walk around, drink lots of water and whenever possible lie the seat down. They worry about blood clots in your legs during trips like that. I think, personally, I wouldn't be comfortable with a trip that far away, even if I was coming home the next day. Plus, you'll be pretty uncomfortable by that point and even an hour car ride will not be fun.

Mrs.RockyM · June 2012

With my first pregnancy, my doctor told me that once I hit 36 weeks I wasn't allowed to travel any further than 1 hour from the hospital. Plenty of people go into labor early, you just never know. If it were me, I would not feel comfortable traveling this late in the pregnancy. Aside from the risk of early labor, you're also going to be very uncomfortable, and the traveling would probaly be too much.

AshNish · June 2012

I think you may be uncomfortable but I would think you will be fine. If I understand correctly, you are only going to be gone for 1 day so I don't think its that big of a deal - provided that you could leave asap if you thought you were going into labor.

I will be going to my brother's wedding (which is 4 1/2 hours away) 9 days before my due date. Since we will be away for a few days, my midwife has suggest that I go with my chart, an out of town backup hospital plan and everything we need in case we have the baby while out of town (ie. car seat. hospital bag etc.). My DS came a few days early so we know it is possible that this baby could come early as well so we are just going to be prepared. My first labor was quite fast and I only made it to a hospital (but not the one we were supposed to go to as it was further away) when I was already 10cm and pushing.

I think it's smart to check with your doctor but IMO i think you will be fine. Good luck!

cedenton · June 2012

I have to fly an average of once a month or so for work. The doctor said no flying after 36 weeks. I told work no flying after 34 weeks. I assume your 4 hour trip is by car? You just have to decide about how you would feel if you went into labor and couldn't get back in time. I personally, wouldn't do it.

ironmom5 · June 2012

Short answer is, you CAN do it. It's safe.

More honest answer, you probably won't want to. I'm only 20 weeks, and uncomfortable in the car for 4 hours at a time now. I wouldn't think I'd feel better that close to my EDD. It really depends on the nature of the trip. If it's a conference, you might have to suck it up. If it's something like a review meeting, maybe you can teleconference? It is 2012.

choppinbroccoli22 · June 2012

I think it's probably ok to drive or ride in a car. I had an hour commute and worked up until delivery. A few days before she was born, there was an accident on the freeway and I was stuck for 3 hours.

It's not necessarily comfortable to sit for that long, that's all.