2.5hr drive at 38 weeks pregnant

[sue_88]

Hi all, I'm planning on starting my mat leave 2 weeks before due date (first baby).

About 37.5w pregnant my work has a conference that I'm due to attend and I really want to go! It's 2.5 hours away by car, I'd be travelling with my work colleague who is also my very good friend (and possible birth partner).

Any experiences of such a drive this late on anyone?? I'm happy with my decision, I just know some colleagues will have a snooty opinion.

 

[2ndtimeluckyX]

Why? What's wrong with a car journey? I wouldn't think twice about it. Your pregnant not ill! Tell them to sod off

 

[xdxxtx]

Will you be close to a hospital? My water broke at 38+5 with nooo contractions whatsoever. My hospital is an hour away from my house, but there are 3 on the way, so if I had to stop at one, I could. If you'll be able to get to a hospital pretty quickly, definitely go for it as long as you feel comfortable!!

 

[sue_88]

I'm planning a home birth so just hoping if that happens we can drive home and go to my local midwives at the community hospital?

I told my friend we'll take a towel just in case

 

[JaneyScot]

i wouldn't be worried about travelling 2.5 hours from home however you might not be very comfortable at 38 weeks sitting in a car for a relatively long period (although hopefully you will feel fine).

When pregnant with my son i had really bad rib pain and sitting in a car for longer than 30 mins at a time was really painful. To go 2.5 hours away I wouldve needed to stop 4 times for up to 30 mins at a time for the pain to subside so it would take forever.

 

[SarTheBear]

Hi, with my first LO I travelled 3hrs in the car (me driving though) on my due date and was absolutely fine. Mind you, I was used to travelling that far as we lived that distance away from my parents and my midwives/hospital as we moved when I was 37 weeks pregnant but, wanted to deliver at that particular hospital so, just travelled a lot for appointments! Being pregnant again has highlighted that it probably wasn't my best idea at the time but, I was definate that's what I wanted! Hormones make you crazy!! Sorry, OT abit! Just saying for me, travelling was perfectly fine at any stage even nearly 2weeks overdue :doh: xx

 

[sue_88]

I also frequently travel 2 hours as that is how far my parents live away from me and I see them a lot.

I'm sure it will be fine, we'd leave the day before so could stop when needed.

 

[SarTheBear]

If your are used to travelling, as long as you are feeling right within yourself, I wouldn't think twice! x

 

[sue_88]

If your are used to travelling, as long as you are feeling right within yourself, I wouldn't think twice! x

Thanks, it will definitely be a moment where I say 'ok, do I feel up to going' but for now I will accept the invite yay.

Conference is on the 19th (37w 4d) and then hoping to start my mat leave on 21st (Friday). I'm just desperate not to miss this conference!!

All being said.....only if I'm well & able enough. My mum thinks it'll be fine! Fingers crossed.

 

[Firestar]

If it's ok with your colleague just leave a little bit earlier than you normally would to accommodate stops/rest breaks. You aren't driving, so hopefully you shouldn't be too stressed/tired as a result. It's more the driving rather than being a passenger thats the struggle IMHO - at 14 weeks I had the "fantastic" idea of driving to Letchworth Garden City and back in a day from Cheshire (300 mile round trip) for a counselling workshop and it tired me much more than it normally would, however I was fine being a passenger down to Wells/Glastonbury recently