XP: Introduction and babymoon anxiety

orchidanna · March 2011

Hi, ladies! I've been a diligent lurker for a few months now, and I think it's time to introduce myself! I'm just over 20 weeks and had my A/S yesterday (go Team Blue!). It's been so much fun reading what everyone has been experiencing as I have been.

My question: my husband and I were planning a trip to Maui when I'm 29 weeks with our friends, who have a timeshare. My OB had previously cleared me, assuming that there is no issue with my placenta or cervix following yesterday's apptmnt (which there isn't).

But yesterday, when I spoke with the perinatologist he urged us NOT to go to Maui because they don't have a level 3 hospital with a neonatal unit on the island, so we'd have to get transported to Oahu, which could take hours and damage or kill our baby should i go into labor early. This was a really upsetting way to end our appointment, as it had been lovely until that moment.

Has anyone been given that advice? We are so torn because I have no high risk symptoms at this point, my regular doctor cleared us, but if something happend and I went into preterm labor and lost our baby because we didn't listen to the perinatologist I don't think we would ever forgive ourselves. What would you do?

cynnnabun · March 2011

I would go. You were given the ok by your regular doc. You have no symptoms or reason to believe you'd go into labor early.

The way I see it, I could get hit by a car, or something equally dramatic. Any day of the week. You can't worry about things you can't prevent. Go. Enjoy yourself. And you'll come home perfectly fine and glad you went.

Now, if you were telling me your cervix was short and you were having random contractions, I'd say no. Don't go. But seriously, I think you should go and enjoy yourself. You never get to be just the two of you, ever again.

MinnieM · March 2011

That's really something only you can answer because it really comes down to peace of mind. If your doctor cleared you and your pregnancy is healthy and routine at this point, I think talking about the existence of a level 3 neonatal unit at 29 weeks is a bit over the top. Maui is incredibly civilized and women have healthy babies there every day.

I just got back from my babymoon in St. Lucia and, while I was a bit concerned of course, I had to just put everything out of my mind and enjoy some much needed time away with my husband (and St. Lucia is WAY more remote than Maui). I spoke with my doctor right before leaving and she told me not to worry about anything and just not to go scuba diving. That was my only restriction.

You know yourself best, and if you feel like you won't be able to relax on your babymoon than rethink it. But honestly, it sounds like the perinatologist is being a bit unnecessarily alarming.

tblauvelt · March 2011

I haven't been given that advice, but I'm not as far along as you. I just wanted to say that I've been to Maui just a few weeks ago and depending on your location on the island you may be two hours away from the hospital, in which I hear there are only 2 main ones there. I'm not saying dont' go or go, but I just wanted to let you know that your doctor is most likely right about having to fly to Oahu to be seen at a level 3 hospital (the flight there is 30-45 mins).

jntaylor11 · March 2011

Have you talked to your regular dr again since you got this information? That would be my first stop... I was telling my husband last night I've been having this really strong urge to get on a plane and fly to Hawaii and idk how much long I can hold off on it lol..if it were me I would talk to my dr again and id prob still go. Something bad can happen here too, and just being close go a hospital doesn't mean you or you baby are going to automatically be ok...