Traveling in Winter

mrsrichey11 · October 2014

I'll be 32w2d with my twins on Thanksgiving and the hubs extended family wants to throw us a shower that day. *Possible* problem #1: We live in WI/MN. For those of you who don't know, its a frozen tundra from basically Halloween until early May. Thanksgiving will be in a little unincorporated town about an hour from the closest hospital, which happens to be the Mayo Clinic in Rochester. I have no interest in having to go there since our insurance does not cover it.

*Possible* problem #2: How comfortable were you travelling by car at that point? I'm already uncomfortable sitting at my desk at work for extended periods of time. The drive would be about two hours (usually 1 1/2, but with ice/snow I take it slow on those back roads). But once we get there I know I'm going to be uncomfortable. His grandma insists on having it at the local American Legion, which is basically concrete floor, a small kitchen and hard metal folding chairs and tables. Its uncomfortable when not pregnant (I might just be complaining now...sorry).

Would you risk it? Obviously I'm going to have to base it off of how I am feeling that day, but even if I'm feeling good and my doctor says its ok to travel, would you still go? I don't know how I feel about it yet. Another thing I should add is that hubs most likely wont be able to come with me. He is a store manager at a large retailer and their Black Friday sales usually start around 8pm on Thanksgiving. So he'll probably be working either a double shift that day or an overnight shift which means he will need to sleep all day on Thanksgiving. Opinions?

mrsrichey11 · October 2014

Ugh yes on Thanksgiving "because everyone will already be there!" I'm thinking I'm just going to have to put my foot down now and say no. Or more like hell no. In the nicest way possible.

ktibbits1 · October 2014

None of that sounds like anything I'd be comfortable with. Go with your gut

Bigboneded · October 2014

I am due end of January and declined to have a Thanksgiving weekend shower in Chicago for these reasons. Chicago has big hospitals, any emergency would be covered.... but I am not sure I would be comfortable enough to make the 2.5 hour trip in a car and be good company :-) so we are doing next weekends. I wouldnt traipse around WI/MN countryside alone and pg in the winter.... if it goes over better, tell them you'll plan on it and then cancel day before or day of because you arent up to it :-)

carrotcake06 · October 2014

I'm pretty laid back when it comes to travel, but that gives me pause.

Everything at that stage of pg is day by day, so I wouldn't be comfortable w making a hard and fast commitment at that stage.

Anecdote: I was supposed to travel 5.5hrs to my ILs at 32w and ended up in the hospital for the weekend instead. Even if I hadn't been admitted, I really really wasn't looking forward to it. I had a wedding at 35w that would have been 3.5 hrs away and in the middle of nowhere and I said likely no, but day by day. I gave birth at 34w. You just never know.

BabyKsMommy · October 2014

Nope. Not by yourself in possibly bad weather. I'm 31w3d today, yesterday I was admitted till I deliver because one of my bags has a leak. If something like that happens to you then u are stuck at a hospital far from home that isn't covered by insurance and without your husband.

I would just tell your family the dr said no. The there are no questions.

Oh and prior to this I had no complications at all. I'm 28, healthy and in good shape. Somethings are just out of your control.

aliciafirewife · October 2014

Oh that just sounds like a bad idea all around! I'm nervous to travel around Christmas and I will be only 25 wks. I would just have to disappoint the family and be safe rather than sorry.

Mrs.McIrish · October 2014

I'm 31+ 4 today and declined DH's cousin's wedding 2 hrs away this weekend as there is no NICU nearby the wedding venue. I sent DH alone. I actually felt good this weekend and could have handled it but you never know from one day to the next how you will feel. Some days the last thing I want to do is vetted dressed and go sol ailish/put on a happy face. Also Driving yourself--no way!! Bad weather-nope...

mrsrichey11 · October 2014

Thanks for the feedback ladies! I think I was just so dumbfounded that they would even think that's a good idea...The hubs called and told them absolutely not and gave them our mailing address if they want to send us any gifts

minirella · October 2014

We typically destination vacation on Thanksgiving with my husband's family. We are not this year and none of the other family members are going either (everyone is saving their time/money to visit in the spring). I will be around 36w at the time. I live in the south though, our winters are probably like your summers.

absolutelymaybe · October 2014

sing4mysavior said:

They want to throw a shower ON thanksgiving??? 2 hours away in ice an hour away from a hospital ON a major holiday? No.

This is kind of where I'm at on the subject.

I mean, I'm 33 weeks and MAYBE I would consider going to a baby shower two hours away (I've had a really smooth pregnancy and haven't had any issues crop up), but you don't know what will happen that far in advance. The whole winter weather situation would really concern me, too. Obviously you will need to do what you feel is right, but I personally wouldn't plan a shower for that time and that location.

nebrasskagal · October 2014

Good that you said no. I had a "perfect" twin pregnancy until 32 weeks 1 day when I had a placental abruption. Glad I was close to my hospital as the twins were in for 1 month after they were born. Travel is not worth the risks.

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