Traveling late in pregnancy?

CarolineRice · July 2012

DH's younger brother is graduating from Army basic training on August 2nd, and I'm due August 15th. The graduation is in a town about 6 hours away from us. DH's mom and stepdad assumed we were going to go, but DH said he didn't think it was a good idea and that if something were to happen, he doesn't want our kid born in this particular town. (I won't say the name of the town, but it's a crappy military town). We get the feeling that they're kind of pissed at us for not going, but I don't think it's unreasonable for us not to travel that far down the road two weeks before the baby is due.

I planned on asking my doctor about it at my appointment next week, but I thought I'd get some thoughts from you ladies too.

j&j060708 · July 2012

I talked to my dr about travel and she said as long as I was going somewhere with a hospital and was ok with the possibility of not having her delivery its not a big deal. Personally I would not travel 6 hours (assuming driving) that late due to being uncomfortable and because I want my dr to delivery me.

MissIntentional · July 2012

I would ask your OB for sure. I probably wouldn't travel 6hrs away 2 weeks before my due date.

Karissahh · July 2012

I would not make any promises until you see the doctor.

Whenever I travel my doctor likes to check my cervix and will be the one to give you the OK to leave town.

If your doctor is not comfortable with letting you leave then I would kindly tell your family that you would love to be there but your doctor does not feel comfortable letting you go. Maybe make your BIL a card or call him the day of his graduation to congratulate him, and let him know why you could not be there. I am sure he will understand

L8kissie · July 2012

Our insurance, Kaiser, doesn't want you traveling more than an hour away from one of their hospitals that late in pregnancy. You might not be able to, if that helps. Don't let them pressure you if you don't want to go. Send a present and your regrets. In guessing his brother will be fine with it.

bellag8212 · July 2012

My MIL passed away 2 weeks ago and next weekend we're flying from Chicago to Southern Alabama to bring her ashes there. I'll be 34 weeks. My dr said that since everything is going very well, I can go, but just know where the hospitals are in case something was to happen. I think if I was that close to my due date, I wouldn't be going. That's just too far.

rdgove · July 2012

My thoughts:

1. That would be a VERY uncomfortable drive and at 38+ weeks, it would be really tough. I'll be doing a 3 hour drive at 39 weeks and am starting to rethink it.

2. How are the hospitals in that area? Are they in-network for your insurance? Do they have good maternity wards/NICU's?

3. What will you be doing while there? If it is just sitting at a graduation, skip it. Not worth the trip. Send a nice gift and your regrets.

SunAndRain · July 2012

The discomfort alone would prevent me from agreeing to go.

I flew across country and then traveled 2.5 hours by car at 31 weeks for a wedding. My family was shocked that I even made the trip! I battled swollen ankles but beyond that it was quite manageable.

At 38 weeks? No. I woudln't want to sit that long no matter what mode of transportation.

bmv1980 · July 2012

I'm skipping my SIL's wedding. It's a 6 hour drive and I'll be 36 weeks. My Dr doesn't recommend travel in the last month and that 6 hour drive would be closer to 10 hours with the amount of stops I'd need to take to stretch and pee

The bride is very understanding...some of the other family members are peeved though. DH and our 2 kids are still going.

dreambig527 · July 2012

I'm going about 4 hours away this weekend. Dr. said no progress is being made so far so she really doesn't see a problem with it. She said as long as I have a way back if I start to feel like anything is going to happen and to make sure I know where the nearest hospital is just in case it happens too fast.

Really though, I'd wait and talk to your doctor.

luvlss1 · July 2012

As a pp mentioned, check with your insurance. They may not cover costs if you are traveling that far away. Also, i'm 38w 5d right now and can't imagine being in a car that long. I can barely handle an hour due to back pain.

APendola · July 2012

I personally wouldn't go. I didn't want to travel anywhere within a month of my due date, because it's uncomfortable and there is a chance I'd go into labour. I think six hours is a long trip that far along in your pregnancy.

Novem06 · July 2012

My water broke with DS at exactly 38 weeks and he was born 11 hrs later. I wouldn't chance it

terrichael · July 2012

DH and I are driving three hours to stay at a lodge for a weekend to celebrate our first wedding anniversary in August. I will be 36 weeks. If our OB is not fine with it right before or if I don't feel up to it, we will cancel. In June our OB nixed our babymoon to Santa Barbara the day before we were scheduled to fly out because I had preterm contractions three days prior, so we'll see what happens with this next trip! OP, I personally would not go on a six hour car ride that late in the pregnancy and I hope your family can respect whatever you decide!

danabsd · July 2012

j&j060708:
I talked to my dr about travel and she said as long as I was going somewhere with a hospital and was ok with the possibility of not having her delivery its not a big deal.

My Doc said the same thing, you probably don't want to go to Timbuktu or somewhere without really good health care but you will be fine in a city close to a hospital.

If you want to risk delivering at the hospital and not your own, that's completely up to you!

melody921 · July 2012

rdgove:

My thoughts:

1. That would be a VERY uncomfortable drive and at 38+ weeks, it would be really tough. I'll be doing a 3 hour drive at 39 weeks and am starting to rethink it.

2. How are the hospitals in that area? Are they in-network for your insurance? Do they have good maternity wards/NICU's?

3. What will you be doing while there? If it is just sitting at a graduation, skip it. Not worth the trip. Send a nice gift and your regrets.

All of this. It seems excessive to travel that far at that stage. I'm sure he'll understand.

ufmelissa · July 2012

DH and I had a family obligation to attend 3 hours away when I was 35w and I wasn't all that comfortable with it. I actually did get some contractions while we were gone and panicked thinking I would have to deliver in a strange town, but they were just BH. It all turned out fine but I don't think I would have chanced it at 38w.

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