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Traveling at 34 weeks?

ddembinskaddembinska member
in 3rd Trimester
My SO's family wants to throw us a shower in another state. The drive would be about 8 1/2 hours, by car. 

Would you go?

I plan on bringing it up to my doctor at my checkup tomorrow, but has anybody traveled this late in pregnancy? I don't have any medical complications what so ever. It would be for about 5 days, and we would stop every 2-3 hours so I could get out and move. 

We do know what hospital in the area we would go to in case something happened. I could also see if I could bring a copy of  my records for this pregnancy, just in case. SO also wants to bring the car seat, just to be prepared. I have never had issues with preterm labor during either of my pregnancies, and I feel pretty good right now (besides the usual symptoms). Would you go on this trip? We would leave when I'm 33 weeks and 6 days along.
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Re: Traveling at 34 weeks?

  • azzyberryazzyberry member
    I just did a 10 hour drive over the holidays.  I'm uncomfortable no matter what so sitting in a car or sitting on the couch at home makes no difference.  If you feel ok and you want to go, then go.  Drink lots of water to stay hydrated and make a few stops so you can get out and stretch/walk around. 
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  • ktpaladinoktpaladino member
    edited January 2014
    We went on a babymoon when I was 31 weeks (2.5 hour plane ride, followed by 3 hours in the car) and my feet and ankles swelled from the trip. Also I just turned 35 weeks yesterday and we just got back from a big family ski trip in VT (6 hr car ride) with only minor swelling. The long trips are a little uncomfortable being this far along but I'm glad I went. It would have been nice if it worked out that I was not as far along, but we had to go with the dates we did for a reason. I had my OB do a cervical check before leaving for VT since I have been having some random contractions and my first LO made an early appearance. It helped put my mind at ease to know I was not dilated at all and my cervix was not soft yet. My doctors no travel policy is pretty liberal, her cut off being 36 weeks. Like you, we had my hospital bag and the infant car seat packed just incase and researched the closest hospital with a reputable birthing center to be prepared. Unless your doctor has a specific medical reason she doesn't want you to go, he/she will probably OK the trip and leave the decision up to you. I think it all comes down to what you're comfortable doing this late in pregnancy and how prepared you are incase an emergency should arise when you're away. I have to say, now that I am 35 weeks, I am for sure staying put and waiting for this LO to arrive!

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  • mysticlmysticl member
    We did a road trip when I was 31 weeks.  About an hour in I wanted to tell DH to turn around I was so uncomfortable.  The only reason I didn't was we were going to his high school reunion.  I went to the doctor the day before we left and they cleared me to go and automatically gave me a copy of my records.  They also told me we had to stop every 60 to 90 minutes for me to walk around.  
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  • Avion22Avion22 member
    8.5 hours in a car...then 5 days, and 8.5 MORE hours in the car?  There is no way I would subject myself to this, and I'm usually really good with car rides.   
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  • jessib10jessib10 member
    I personally wouldn't because I'm super uncomfortable when I can't put my feet up. If you feel up to it and your doctor doesn't mind, why not? 
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  • thegardenerthegardener member
    Lurker jumping in...
    Just did a 13 hour car trip to family, at 33 weeks. It was actually ok. I cleared it with my OB, had contact details for an OB at our destination, and checked where hospitals were along the route. Arrived with slightly swollen feet which were fine the next morning.
    Chat to your doc, if he's happy and you are generally feeling ok, I say go and enjoy your shower!
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  • huskymomma94huskymomma94 member
    It sounds like you are prepared and that you want to go.  I would go for it as long as your OB thinks its fine! 


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  • shawnadaigleshawnadaigle member
    No way on earth I would do this knowing what I know now.  I spent 4 days out of my own bed at christmas (approx 33 weeks at the time) and it completely threw out my SI joint in my pelvis (I even brought all my own pillows so that I was sleeping as much like at home as possible).  And that was only a 2-3 hour drive.  On top of that I came home with the cold from hades which has lingered for 10 days and still isn't better.  I have been in physical therapy ever since, but it is a daily struggle to keep things aligned properly so that I can do basic things like walk and sit.  I will never again travel in the 3rd trimester.  It's like rolling the dice and hoping you don't get a super crappy outcome.
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