Would you travel by car at 24 weeks?

clarku2000 · March 2010

Hi ladies! My DH wants to do a road trip to the Oregon coast for our 1 year anniversary in 2 weeks (this would be a 6-7 hour drive split over 2 days). I've never been and think it'd be a great getaway. I already have the time off of work. My only concern is that I will be 24 weeks when we go, and my OB has been keeping a close eye on me because of the twins and a potential for cervical changes (2 leeps in the last 8 years). So far at every appointment my cervix has been around 4, and my OB and Peri are both happy.

Have any of you gone that far away from home at 24 weeks? If everything's looking good now, should I even be worried? I guess I'm a worrier by nature.

MrsAmyB · March 2010

I would ask your MFM. When talking about a pre-planned trip to Florida (I live in WA state) or a visit to my parents who live 7 hours in a remote town, he told me to stay within 1.5 hours of a level III NICU. With that, I could travel down the Oregon coast, but thats about it.

BelleBaby · March 2010

I might just be overly worrisome, but I'd be so afraid that I'd start having contractions in the middle of nowhere without a hospital nearby, let alone one that has an adequate NICU. Car trips (even to and from work) were hard on me during my pregnancy. I can't imagine doing that long. My last lengthy car trip was at around 15-16 weeks.

@ri&Vic · March 2010

I have been put on bed rest and every two weeks they do some test to make sure I am not going to go in labor. I was put on terabutline at 22 weeks due to contractions. Over the weekend my husband and I went on a road trip to Miami from NC to see some of his family members. We were ok'd by the doctor before we went though ( my dr appt was the day before we left which they checked my cervix). My dr just told me to drink lots of water and to stop every couple of hours if not more to pee and to walk around to stretch my legs. We got back and not a hitch to the trip! Our road trip was 13 hours and I am 25 weeks so as long as your dr okays it you should be good. Just remember to drink water and let hubby drive! GL and have a fun trip!!

mlkwmu · March 2010

I would ask your doctors. I've also been monitored for shortening of the cervix and have an OB and MFM doc. My DH and I plan on flying to AZ from IL in a few weeks, I'm at 24 weeks now and my OB said it was okay. The suggestions they offered were ....stay hydrated, get up and stretch your legs every 30 minutes, drink lots of water, bring some snacks on the plane and no heavy lifting of luggage.

Also not sure if your doctor told you this or not, (mine did), no being on your feet for more than 2 hours at a time.

Hope this helps.

clarku2000 · March 2010

Thanks ladies! I just left a message with my doctor, but wanted to see some of your experiences as well. You all are always so helpful :-)

benkari · March 2010

I made a 7 hour round trip by car every week to get to the doctors until 29w and was fine. Make sure you get out and walk around every hour.

tiki_t · March 2010

I don't know if it was bad roads or bad shocks in my car but I had a 1.5 hour to 2 hour tolerance each way (at least a 2 hour break from driving between returning) when I was that far along. Maybe do a test drive to somewhere closer to see if you can handle more than 2 hours?