Driving out of state

Re: Driving out of state

• Ljohn43 member

  October 2015

  My doctor told me not to travel out of town (4 hr drive) for Christmas. I'm due 1/12/16. I would ask your dr though, he / she might have a different answer.

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• CaraBoonie member

  October 2015

  I would still do it it, just maybe figure out in advance all hospitals along your route JUUUUUST in case and take frequent breaks to stretch and walk around. As long as you're not one of those people who goes crazy over their birth plan it doesn't really matter where you deliver, so just go into it knowing there's always a chance you could go into labor while visiting or even while on the road so be aware of nearby options. But it's driving, not flying, and if your area is anything like mine there's a different hospital at LEAST every hour or so if not in every major town, so I personally don't think it's dangerous.

  
  

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• kodariah member

  October 2015

  Your brave, my DH family is only two hours away and on Christmas ill be a few days short of 39 weeks and I'm not going anywhere. I love my Dr though and couldn't imagine not having her deliver my little guy...

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• kristaleigh0525 member

  October 2015

  We live about 12-13 hours away from both of our families, and are driving home for Thanksgiving. At that point, I'll be 34 weeks pregnant. My doctor was weary about it, but said that as long as I continue to have a healthy and low-risk pregnancy, it will be fine. We were told to stop every 1-2 hours though and to make sure to know where hospitals are along the route just to be on the safe side. I'm due Jan. 4th, so there's no way we are traveling home for Christmas! 

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• ashs88 member

  October 2015

  With my first I traveled about 2 hours away from home for a wedding when I was right around 36 weeks. At that time I didn't think much of it since my pregnancy was going really well and I didn't feel like I had much chance of anything happening that early. This time around I am starting to get a little more paranoid that I could deliver early. I've had several friends recently deliver 2+ weeks early, and this being my second baby I know it's a little more common to go early. My in-laws always have a big family party the weekend before Christmas, which would put me right around 36 weeks again. They live 3 1/2 hours away and we are planning on skipping the trip this year. I just don't want to take the chance. Plus if the weather is bad that could turn the 3 1/2 hour drive into 5 or more.

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• mamakculb member

  October 2015

  With my first I traveled about 5 hours away at 34 weeks. Definitely check with your doctor and also monitor yourself. If you're high risk or have any complications, be extra prepared for dealing with a delivery somewhere else. You'll probably be fine though. Like pp said, take frequent breaks, stretch your legs and hips, drink lots of water. Make yourself as comfortable as possible. The hardest part for me was just sitting for so long. Good luck and safe travels!

  
  
  
  

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• MrsB915 member

  October 2015

  We plan on visiting my in laws for thanksgiving as long as my doctor gives us the ok. It's only 1.5 hrs away. I'm high risk so well see what she says when it gets closer. I'll be 33 weeks and I delivered ds at 32 weeks so I'm kinda nervous and may back out.
  
  If your doctor gives you the ok I think you should be fine but it would make me nervous. I second looking in to all of the hospitals along your route.

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• kmo8986 member

  October 2015

  I am not going anywhere for Christmas, I will be 36 weeks and I delivered at 38 weeks with my son. For thanksgiving I will be closer to 32 weeks and depending on any changes in the pregnancy we might drive 2:30 hours to be there for my DH grandparents 50th wedding anniversary celebration.

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• ChrissyD1203 member

  October 2015

  Ahh this thread just freaked me out. Was planning on asking my doctor anyway, but based on this, I'm thinking she might say no. Was planning a 6 hr drive at Thanksgiving which is at 34 weeks and a 2 hr drive for Christmas at 38 weeks.

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