Long car trip in 3rd trimester?

ammiddleton3 · March 2016

I'm not sure if this would be more applicable in a designated thread, so I hope this post is ok! I am currently trying to plan our summer vacation, but trying to pick a date is kind of daunting at the moment! How far into your pregnancy would you travel about 12+ hours by car? We are going to be using in laws time share, So that seriously limits the days we can go! We are going to Myrtle Beach, which wasn't even my first choice, but once again restrictions. There is one check in day in May, which I have no concerns about. There are a few in June, and this may seem like a small deal but these condos aren't on the beach. The Very beginning of August there are a few check in days,but that would put me as being 31-32 weeks. Is that too late to be doing that far of traveling? I'm really conflicted on what to do? I had a lot of swelling with my first pregnancy that started around 28 weeks. I pray that I don't deal with it this time, but you just never know! What would you do in this situation?

MRSCORKER · March 2016

I'll be a FTM so I have no experience to base this on but I would be hesitant to travel so far away from my OB that far into 3rd tri. If I were you, I would probably shoot for one of the June options. That being said, I'm a worry wart and other BTDT mamas might think it's fine.

mothernorth · March 2016

I would try to do one of the earlier dates. But if you choose the August date... It's really hard to say, I think at that point, it just depends on what your OB says first, and then how you are feeling at that time.

ammiddleton3 · March 2016

Thank you both! It really is so hard to say! I felt really good that far into my pregnancy the first time, minus the swelling! That is my biggest concern with traveling that long into pregnancy. Sitting and swelling don't mix! Lol! I appreciate your advice though!

FemShep · March 2016

It's really hard to say. You may have swelling, hemorrhoids, or other complications-or you may feel great. I'd pick an earlier date just to be safe.

annabenanna · March 2016

12 hours by car would almost mean 15 hours---with all the pee stops.

But if stopping a lot doesn't bother you, I don't think it should be a problem? Personally, I'd do it. But then again, I'll be a FTM and might be eating my words in the 3rd tri.

Lauren0216 · March 2016

Yeah, I'd say to check with your OB too. Mine has already told me that they would prefer if I didn't travel further than an hour drive starting the second week of August. Enjoy your trip!!

ammiddleton3 · March 2016

I should also add that we will be making the trip in 2 days. We went to Myrtle Beach on our honeymoon and stretched the trip into two days! We are traveling with a 2 year old so it seems a little less daunting to have 2 6+ hour days, probably more like 8 with all the stops!

Paturkey · March 2016

I'd go for a June date due to comfort. Having said that, I plan to travel in early August but that's specifically because my brother only gets his girls a few weeks a year for vacation and we don't want to miss it.

ammiddleton3 · March 2016

Paturkey said:

I'd go for a June date due to comfort. Having said that, I plan to travel in early August but that's specifically because my brother only gets his girls a few weeks a year for vacation and we don't want to miss it.

That's a pretty good reason! My brother is enlisting in the navy in April, so traveling to see him right now is a non issue! But you better believe if I had to travel later in my pregnancy to see him, and my nephew I would if at all possible!!

OrangeEv · March 2016

We are going on vacation to a beach very close to myrtle and it's about a 10 hour drive. Going in Aug so I'll be 30 weeks.
I will wear compression stockings, get out every hour, pack all the snacks in the world, and lather on the hemmorriod cream if I have to because there is no way I am missing my beach time!

br0co1ii · March 2016

I'm likely looking at a 2500 mile trip in July. That trip sucks NOT pregnant. We are likely moving so 2 cars, 2 cats, a dog, a moving trailer.... I already told DH it'll take us 3 days. I'm NOT sleeping in the car like we usually do.
That being said, if I could do it in June, I would. I think that's your best bet.

ammiddleton3 · March 2016

I appreciate all the advice! You are probably right in saying June would be a better bet! I would have more options, had I not procrastinated on getting it booked! The good locations book so far in advance!

LizaKate1213 · March 2016

I don't see an issue with it. Just make sure you are doing small exercises to keep your blood flowing (flex and point your feet, March in place, etc), take walks on breaks, bring a pillow for extra back support. Compression stockings probably aren't a horrible idea, either. Early August is probably better than late August.

mrskratt · March 2016

I did a really long trip 32 weeks with my last pregnancy. I didn't have any issues. A little swelling, but I kept my feet propped out. We really didn't even stop that much either.
But stopping for breaks, stretching, extra pillows would help. I don't see an issue of your pregnancy is going well.

ammiddleton3 · March 2016

LizaKate1213 said:

I don't see an issue with it. Just make sure you are doing small exercises to keep your blood flowing (flex and point your feet, March in place, etc), take walks on breaks, bring a pillow for extra back support. Compression stockings probably aren't a horrible idea, either. Early August is probably better than late August.

Regardless of when I go I will wear compression socks! The date I'm looking at is very early August!

runningmama14 · March 2016

I would go later, when you can get the better location. Depending on how you are feeling, you may have make adjustments, but for me, it's worth the possible trade off to be in the beach!

laxin31 · March 2016

With my son I did a 7 hour car ride to NC beach from MD. I made sure my doc's were aware of my trip, I got a copy of my medical record from them just in case. The trip down we took two days to do the outer bank...took lots of stops. My trip home was were I started the swelling. We tried stoping as much as we could but I also just wanted to get home.

ammiddleton3 · March 2016

Thanks everyone! I overlooked one in June, was in the process of booking it, and it booked! Bummer, I got really excited for a minute! We went ahead and booked one for August, just to hold the spot for now. If someone cancels and we can go sooner, we will reschedule! So hopefully everything goes well! We haven't had a family vacation as 3, so I'm really anxious and excited and praying it works out! I'm not worried about being away that far in my pregnancy, I'm more worried about the car ride getting there!

anna.oskar · March 2016

Take with a grain of salt because I am high-risk:

We won a trip (Yay!) and doc is okay with it only because it's still second trimester (we come back on day 1 of third tri) since she thinks anything past that is too risky to be that far away from home if something went wrong.

mrsman2018 · March 2016

My husband and I are going on road trip in August and I am due October 10. The trip is over 14 hours and we will make sure to stop for walks and stretches. I'm excited!

ammiddleton3 · March 2016

littlewillie2016 said:

My husband and I are going on road trip in August and I am due October 10. The trip is over 14 hours and we will make sure to stop for walks and stretches. I'm excited!

This sounds about exactly like me! This makes me feel a little better! Like I'm not the only one! Haha. We will be splitting our trip into 2 days since I'm pregnanct and we have a 2 year old!

Cubslove12 · March 2016

My husband is standing up in a wedding Oct 1 and it's an 8 hr car ride for me. I'm planning on making the trip, just debating booking a Flight or driving now... I'd rather be near my husband (who's a paramedic) than alone and 45 min from my hospital.

FemShep · March 2016

Cubslove12 said:

My husband is standing up in a wedding Oct 1 and it's an 8 hr car ride for me. I'm planning on making the trip, just debating booking a Flight or driving now... I'd rather be near my husband (who's a paramedic) than alone and 45 min from my hospital.

Not sure when in October your EDD is, but some airlines will not allow you to fly in your last 2-4 weeks. Might want to check before you book.

Cubslove12 · March 2016

FemShep said:

Cubslove12 said:

My husband is standing up in a wedding Oct 1 and it's an 8 hr car ride for me. I'm planning on making the trip, just debating booking a Flight or driving now... I'd rather be near my husband (who's a paramedic) than alone and 45 min from my hospital.

Not sure when in October your EDD is, but some airlines will not allow you to fly in your last 2-4 weeks. Might want to check before you book.

We are due Oct 29th and I know we have to check with the doc first... If I'm reading everything correctly it appears that the sitting for a long time is what's really bad for you so that's why i'm leaning toward a 1.5 hr flight over an 8 hr drive....

minnemiska · March 2016

I'm already worried about flying to a wedding at the end of August, being due early October. And the flight is less than 90 mins. between two major cities. I can't imagine 12 hours in a car would be very comfortable and I don't think I'd do it.

BoyMom44 · March 2016

I'd be much more comfortable traveling by car than plane. I know two women who had their water break a week after flying (no solid connections but the one dr mentioned altitude changes can possibly be the cause but not enough studies have been done.) My personal opinion is if you have a zero complications you should be fine traveling at that point if your dr doesn't see any issues arising. I had no swelling until after I delivered with both of my kids.

FemShep · March 2016

Cubslove12 said:

FemShep said:

Cubslove12 said:

My husband is standing up in a wedding Oct 1 and it's an 8 hr car ride for me. I'm planning on making the trip, just debating booking a Flight or driving now... I'd rather be near my husband (who's a paramedic) than alone and 45 min from my hospital.

Not sure when in October your EDD is, but some airlines will not allow you to fly in your last 2-4 weeks. Might want to check before you book.

We are due Oct 29th and I know we have to check with the doc first... If I'm reading everything correctly it appears that the sitting for a long time is what's really bad for you so that's why i'm leaning toward a 1.5 hr flight over an 8 hr drive....

It's also that the airline doesn't want you to go into labor on the flight.

Airlines have different policies-some won't let you fly, some let you fly with a doctors note. Probably ought to check the policy before you book the tickets.

greenlia · March 2016

I don't think 32 weeks would be too late, but I'd definitely try to break up the trip, since 12 hours in a car sounds miserable whether or not you're pregnant. (We're considering doing the same in July but would break up the trip over 2 days.)

ByeBabyBunting · March 2016

I was really uncomfortable on a 3.5 hour ride in 3rd tri with my son. I don't think I'd do 12 for any about of fun.

ammiddleton3 · March 2016

FemShep said:

Cubslove12 said:

My husband is standing up in a wedding Oct 1 and it's an 8 hr car ride for me. I'm planning on making the trip, just debating booking a Flight or driving now... I'd rather be near my husband (who's a paramedic) than alone and 45 min from my hospital.

Not sure when in October your EDD is, but some airlines will not allow you to fly in your last 2-4 weeks. Might want to check before you book.

We are driving. I've never flown, and am too scared to!!

ammiddleton3 · March 2016

greenlia said:

I don't think 32 weeks would be too late, but I'd definitely try to break up the trip, since 12 hours in a car sounds miserable whether or not you're pregnant. (We're considering doing the same in July but would break up the trip over 2 days.)

This is exactly what we are doing. We have a 2 1/2 year old as well. So we are splitting the trip into 2 days!

dillybean2 · March 2016

My first came very suddenly at 32 weeks. I would not risk that. We drove about 12 hours when I was around 24 weeks with my first and it was pretty stressful. I had to be sure to get out and walk every hour or two, drink tons of water, pee all the time, take a baby aspirin to prevent blood clots. It was not a fun drive, but the vacation was great. Talk to your OB, and if you're healthy they'll probably give you the green light as long as you're not close to delivering. They'll give you tips and guidelines for traveling. You could even call or email them right now and ask. They can respond at their leisure with some general guidelines.

ammiddleton3 · March 2016

dillybean2 said:

My first came very suddenly at 32 weeks. I would not risk that. We drove about 12 hours when I was around 24 weeks with my first and it was pretty stressful. I had to be sure to get out and walk every hour or two, drink tons of water, pee all the time, take a baby aspirin to prevent blood clots. It was not a fun drive, but the vacation was great. Talk to your OB, and if you're healthy they'll probably give you the green light as long as you're not close to delivering. They'll give you tips and guidelines for traveling. You could even call or email them right now and ask. They can respond at their leisure with some general guidelines.

Thanks for a little different perspective. I have my 2nd appointment the 30th, so I will definitely mention it to him! We have it booked, but this far out if we change our mind, we can cancel and only have to pay $50. So hopefully if we can't make it we know within 10 days of the planned trip. Then in laws can get their points back to use themselves if they wish!

Divallyn · March 2016

I have to do a 9 hour drive when I am 36/37 weeks pregnant as my BIL is getting married. I'm not too worried, I was pretty comfortable last pregnancy in the 3rd tri so hoping this one will be the same.

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Long car trip in 3rd trimester?

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