How late is too late to travel?

egraves4 · October 2015

SO and I go to the beach every year for New Year's Eve, and we decided early on that no matter what we still wanted to do that. My FIL was interested in going as well, so he booked us and his girlfriend a 2-bedroom condo already for when we're down there.

While I still plan on going... I've been trying to think of all of the technicalities of traveling at 34 weeks pregnant.

It's about a 6-hour drive, so I'm assuming we will need to stop frequently, but there are a lot of backroads and I may have to go up to an hour before finding a place to stop. As far as medical things, should I gather my records and research the closest hospital before I go down there just in case of an emergency? And granted I've been feeling really good, am I totally going to be miserable at 34 weeks?

TIA!

ETA: This is of course at the discretion of my doctor. It will only be a 2-3 day trip and will be dependent on whether I am dilated/effaced at all.

satuttle1014 · October 2015

It is suggested not to travel after 36 weeks. I would definitely bring your records and research one or two OB's in the area just in case. In a car you should be fine, just stop often for you to use the restroom and walk around to keep your circulation going.

I would just talk it over with your doctor, they know your pregnancy well enough to give you an idea of what to do, expect or look for.

JacquelynOchsner · October 2015

I cancelled my plans for Christmas because my doctor didn't want me traveling the almost 13 hours away to go home any time after 30 weeks just to be safe. But he did tell me up to 6 hours was fine if I did want to go somewhere else. I know everyone is different and every doctor is different too!

surferP528 · October 2015

I plan on traveling home for Christmas when I'll be 32 weeks, and that's a 13 hour drive away. We are having my baby shower in my hometown that weekend, and Christmas with my family is something I really look forward to.

If there was an emergency during the 13 hour drive, it would be very inconvenient to find a hospital quickly, but my hometown is a major city, so I will not be concerned during the week that I'm there.

The trip might be a nice excuse to kick up your heels and relax even more than when you're at home. I hope you get to go, and enjoy yourself!

BabyHope2013 · October 2015

If I were you--I would plan on trying to go, f your doctor was ok with it---but also caution those that you are traveling with that you may have to cancel. It's still kinda far out---but I remember at 3 weeks away from my due date, I was told by my doctor to remain within an hour of the hospital at all times. My body kept going into labor and then stalling out. It kinda wrecked our christmas plans to travel and see family. My family was ok with that and came to us with no questions asked---my in-laws put up a fight and did come to see us, but my sister in law refused and told us that we wrecked christmas for her. She's a winner.

brushesnbrunch · October 2015

BabyHope2013 said:

If I were you--I would plan on trying to go, f your doctor was ok with it---but also caution those that you are traveling with that you may have to cancel. It's still kinda far out---but I remember at 3 weeks away from my due date, I was told by my doctor to remain within an hour of the hospital at all times. My body kept going into labor and then stalling out. It kinda wrecked our christmas plans to travel and see family. My family was ok with that and came to us with no questions asked---my in-laws put up a fight and did come to see us, but my sister in law refused and told us that we wrecked christmas for her. She's a winner.

SIL sounds like a gem.

egraves4 · October 2015

Yeah understandable. I think it's one of those things that if I do have to cancel his dad won't be beside himself upset, but of course I want to be able to go. I'm going to talk to my midwife about it tomorrow at my appointment anyway. I want to be able to go and have a good time!

GABRIELLE2011 · October 2015

We plan on driving from New York to Florida for Xmas and I'll be about 33-34 weeks with my 4th pregnancy

bauerkj · October 2015

Just bring your summary of your medical records in case you need emergency attention, get up and walk every 2 hours or so and drink plenty of water.

egraves4 · October 2015

GABRIELLE2011 said:

We plan on driving from New York to Florida for Xmas and I'll be about 33-34 weeks with my 4th pregnancy

Nooooo way. We're just driving from Georgia to Florida haha. I'll be a few days shy of 34 weeks.

mabrams27 · October 2015

I am 24 weeks pregnant with twins and my doctor has told me not to plan any travels out of state after 28 weeks. So we will be spending thanksgiving and Christmas at home.

davidroxie · October 2015

I made a three and a half hour trip this past weekend at only 22 weeks- and I got so uncomfortable! It made me dread the car ride for the holidays. I agree with what other folks have said, and just be sure to get up and stretch! (My alternative plan is reclining and taking a nap, but DH's driving makes me uneasy so I stayed awake to "watch"

SoSirius · October 2015

I would look for a hospital with a NICU there if you are researching hospitals because if baby comes early, you want to be somewhere that can provide appropriate care in the case of complications.

I haven't traveled that late (I think the latest was 6 months along and I took the bus to NYC). Theoretically, I would think I'd be OK until 36 weeks but I wouldn't push it a day past that because DS came 2 weeks early with no indication that he would!

Cheryl Renee · October 2015

I made a trip, a 4 hour drive and an over night stay at 34 weeks with my first. My husband graduated from police academy so of course I was going to be there. I stayed the night with his grandmother who lived in the area, so I thought I'd be more comfortable and all.

I remember the drive up was super long because I had to stop and pee a ton and walk around. Sleeping on a different bed, with different blankets and pillows was miserable! I do mean miserable too! Like, I maybe slept 2 hours that night. And you don't want to be rude and ask your grandma-in-law to change the temp in her home either, so I was freezing cold all night! And then the drive home was awful because I had gotten no sleep the night before! I've got a wedding to go to out of town when I'll be 26 weeks, and after that I have every intention of staying put at my house!

mamacat315 · October 2015

I think it really depends on what you and your doctor are comfortable with, but first babies don't often come too early (though mine was 2 weeks early). I moved from China to Western Europe when I was 30 weeks and, though uncomfortable, the long-haul flight was fine and nobody said anything.

SgtLou2 · October 2015

I went on an annual weekend trip (3 hours from home) at 36 weeks. My doctor wasn't super excited about it, but I had my appt 2 days before I left and I was doing great. I also knew that there was a large hospital 1 mile from where I would be staying. I made sure that I had the infant seat installed in the car before I left (just in case I came home with a baby), and I had my hospital necessities with me. The main issue is that you run the risk of delivering your baby in an unfamiliar hospital by a stranger. Go if you're feeling good and there are no issues with your pregnancy. Have a great time!

egraves4 · October 2015

I talked to my midwife today! Said basically the same things. Wouldn't recommend traveling after 36 weeks but everything was good to go beforehand! Said to be drinking a lot of water and stopping every few hours. Other than that I should be good.

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