Traveling for Christmas - yes or no?

Hi ladies,

This is my first post on Twinstuff Forums! I have a 21-month-old son and am expecting twin boys in April 2010. My pregnancy with my son was textbook -- as easy as being pregnant can be, and he was born on his due date. This twin pregnancy (23 weeks tomorrow) has been going well too. Definitely more of the first trimester ickiness, but overall I'm doing well so far.

Then on Wednesday we found my cervix had gone down from 3.4 cm to 2.8 cm in two weeks, but no funnelling or dialation. My doc wasn't freaking out, but she wanted to make sure this wasn't the beginning of a big slide. She put me on a low dose of Procardia twice a day, recommended that I cancel activities and rest as much as possible (I'm a SAHM), and asked that I come back in two days for a recheck.

At the recheck yesterday, my cervix was 3.49 cm. I was shocked at the improvement in 48 hours but obviously pleased. I do feel fine and no contractions (I'm not sure I've felt ANY contractions this whole time, honestly.) My cervix has been at or around 3.5 at every check but the 2.8 on Wednesday.

(For the longer version of what happened, read my BLOG POST.)

My husband and son and I are supposed to fly across the country to spend the holidays with our families, whom we rarely see. My MIL has recently been diagnosed with breast cancer and started chemo, so we have been extra anxious to get home and spend time with her. When we planned the trip months ago, my OB did approve it, pending everything looked okay.

Unfortunately, my OB is about to go into labor any minute so I can't consult with her on what to do now. The current plan is for another cervix check on Tuesday... we are scheduled to fly on Wednesday. After the check, I will meet with another OB in the group practice and get her opinion on whether or not we should proceed with the trip.

I am really struggling with this and I'm hoping for more perspectives. Obviously the main priority right now is baking these boys as long as possible. I don't want to put them in jeopardy. HOWEVER. Spending time with our families is very important to us, especially with DH's mom having cancer, so I don't want to just cancel the trip without really assessing whether there is a real risk (other than the already-known risks of flying for any healthy pregnant woman). Hubby and son won't go without me.

Thank you so much, I am having a bit of a freak out right now!

 

Provided things still look good at your appt Tues, I'd still go. But I'd put dh in charge of everything while I sat (or laid down if at all possible) and drank tons of water. Let dh handle your little one, get food, etc. Use one of those golf cart things or a wheelchair to get from gate to car, etc. I think if you take it very easy and lay down as much as humanly possible, you'll be okay. Good luck deciding!

 

Knowing how fast things can change in a twin pregnancy, no, I would not risk it. If you do decide to go, I think you have to prepare yourself for the fact that it is a possibility to have to stay at your destination until delivery.

I'm sorry you are having to make this decision, I'm sure it's tough given the circumstances! :hug:

 

I was around 22-23 weeks last Halloween when my Dad fell ill and was in the ICU 550 miles away from where I live. I consulted my doctor who was concerned with my traveling as my cervix was around where yours is, mine was 3.5cm. I was on progesterone shots and was put on a dosage of procardia as well, and she said I would be OK to travel but to keep in mind where the hospital was in the town we were traveling to just in case of an issue. We drove 9 hours from OK to Iowa and everything was just fine -- we stopped every two hours so I could get out and stretch and I drank TONS of water.

Honestly? I wouldn't skip a holiday with family if I didn't absolutely have to -- if it were me provided that your next check goes well I would go ahead and go but let your DH handle everything and rest as much as you can.

*hugs*

Also you may want to be super prepared and get a note from an OB stating that you are safe to travel, because some airlines will require it to allow you to fly ... I'm not sure what the cut-off is, though. Better to be safe than sorry.

Have a Happy Holiday! *Hug*

 

I think traveling long distances when your pregnancy is already progressing at such an early stage is not a good idea. There is so much stress involved and honestly IMO no amount "help" will be enough when you have to travel by air. Let alone, what if you go into labor on the plane. I dont mean to be grim, but there are too many "what ifs" in any type of long distance travel (not just by plane) that could happen for me to not be comfortable risking it. But, I tend to err on the side of caution. I had NICU babies and dont wish that roller coaster on anyone. ardon:

 

I don't think I would go with your cervix as you describe it. I am not a big risk-taker. Would it be possible to have family come see you sometime in the near future?

 

Thanks ladies, I really appreciate the feedback. It's not always what I want to hear, but I need to really consider this carefully.

We are flying back to our hometown, so all of our family is there and we are familiar with hospitals -- which isn't ideal, but in many ways it's easier than delivering here at home where DH has to work and we have no family to help care for me or our son. However, I don't want the traveling itself to bother my cervix and put the twins at risk, obviously.

Unfortunately, DH's mom can't come visit us because she is in the middle of chemo treatments which will last until after the babies are born. They will come out as soon as she feels up to it, whenever that might be.

 

I have to agree with Becky, even if you are as relaxed as you can be, travelling by air is NOT stress free. Add in a child, and the stress increases Also, it's questionable if you'd be able to ride the airport golf cart thing, some of them are very strict about who rides (elderly and infirm mostly), but you could call your airport and see about that if you do decide to go.

:hug: It's very hard to make a decision like this! :hug:

 

Closing this thread, as TS does not allow duplicates. Please direct all replies to this thread in the Expecting forum. Thanks!