Packing help! 18 hour (one way) car trip!

Re: Packing help! 18 hour (one way) car trip!

• jennjilljo member

  November 2014

  Wear loose fitting clothes that won't squish your bladder. Have plenty of water and snacks available for the drive and try to stop every few hours so that you can get out and walk around even if you don't need to go to the bathroom. Bring small pillows that you can wedge behind your back or use for your neck to help change positions and alleviate some stress on your body

  

  Report1 Reply
• Loading the player...
• Beth.1212 member

  November 2014

  Hydrate yourself super, super well the day before. That way, you can drink just a little less water just before and during the trip and stay pretty well hydrated. (Don't refrain from drinking what you need to though! It's really important to avoid dehydration.) 

  
  

  Hope this isn't TMI. If you have any trouble with, um, leaking a bit when you really need to go, wear a mini pad or pad in case you need a restroom suddenly and there isn't one for a while. 

  
  

  Make sure you have relatively healthy/filling snacks. I find things like trail mix, pb crackers, granola bars, and bananas work pretty well. 

  
  

  Ask you OB/midwife if he/she has any advice for lengthy trips. Mine told me to make sure I walked around every couple of hours. 

  
  

  I've never done this, but some women wear support socks/hose to help minimize swelling of the legs. 

  Report1 Reply
• ems0523 member

  November 2014

  Fly - not helpful but seriously why would you do that to yourself?

  

  Report0 Reply
• BabyParker15 member

  November 2014

  Thank you! Trail mix is now on the shopping list predeparture.
  Definitely going for the comfort aspect over looking pretty! @ems0523‌ it wouldn't be beneficial to fly because of the multiple destinations (visiting my family in Illinois and his brother in Ohio). Husband and I both really enjoy roadtrips, so it wasn't really a question when we planned the trip (pre- BFP). For Thanksgiving's trip, I'll be in the third trimester and I think that the airlines have a restriction on flying then (I could be wrong on that though).

  Report0 Reply
• MaddScientist member

  November 2014 edited November 2014

  I am making a similar trip at Thanksgiving also. 12 hrs straight through - I will also be 28 wks at the time. 

  
  

  This past weekend I did a 61/2 hr drive in one go as well (24 wks) that was a sort of trial run. It went smoothly  - only stopped for 1 bathroom break, no problems. 

  
  

  For the 10 hr trip. I would pack extra snacks - grazing for a lot of the trip helped me not feel uncomfortable. (don't eat a big meal obvs.) as having something in my stomach helped.

    

  I would also try to drink well the day before, because I personally limited the amount I drank in the morning before leaving and during the trip to mimimize bathroom breaks (hate stopping too often). 

  
  

  Also, plan a little extra time in case you do have to stop often. We had our dog with us, so got out and walked around when we stop. I suggest doing this as well.

  
  

  I don't know how you feel about the driving, but being the one driving and having to concentrate on the road etc. made it a little easier for me to pass the time and not concentrate on the baby or if it was making me uncomfortable. But, make sure your SO is comfortable handling most of the driving if necessary. 

  
  

  Obviously I would plan my leaving time around any rush-hour or known traffic issues in cities you will be driving through - making it the shortest trip possible. 

  
  

  Also, download some interesting podcasts, or music, or books on tape - whatever car entertainment you like best to help the time go fast and hold your attention <-- this is actually really helpful.

  
  

  Good luck!

  
  

  
  

  eta. Totally second the loose-fitting clothes. wear your most comfortable mat clothes - particularly ones that do not bunch or rest on your hips/bladder. Weirdly I got really warm driving too - so maybe also loose layers you can change in the car to maintain comfort?

  Report1 Reply
• foxslaw member

  November 2014

  Layers! All the snacks! All the books! Make sure you get out & stretch your legs often! Have fun!

  Report1 Reply
• BabyParker15 member

  November 2014

  @maasybaby‌ husband is very lucky I love him to pieces! Lol. This trip is an annual hunting that he has always made to his brother's. We'll be visiting my family on the way back home, so it balances out. This is the first year ever that Thanksgiving isn't at his mother's house. His brother's fiancee couldn't get off work to come to Oklahoma, so we are all going to Ohio (makes sense, right?). While this first trip will just be me and husband, next trip will be two vehicles consisting of his two sisters, his three nephews (ages 5, 2, and seven months), his nine yo niece, his mom and stepdad, and us. I have a feeling that the Thanksgiving trip will be a battle as we've been assigned to the vehicle with his mother, who smokes more than anyone I have ever met. Not sure how she's going to survive the 18 hour drive, but I'm at the end of my rope with politely asking her not to smoke around me so I'm sure that I'll lose my ability to channel Jackie Kennedy and be polite about it. I am tempted to stay with my family in between the two trips. We shall see.

  Report0 Reply