So I just had an apt. with my OB. We have a big wedding next weekend--my best friend from College and my DH's best friend from high school are getting married--we set them up at our wedding 5 years ago. I will be 37.5 weeks pregnant with my singleton. The wedding is about 2.5-3 hours away from our home. She thinks it is a bad idea for me to go to the wedding. I am not showing any signs of early labor--she said after checking today that I am still "really far up" meaning she can't even feel my cervix yet. So...what would you do? I feel terrible about it, I really want to be there, and of course DH thinks it's silly that she would advise not going (total lack of support), so now I feel stuck. Advice please ladies
It's hard to go against doctors orders. I think all doctors recommend not travelling that close to your due date. I think in worse case scenario, you could possibly go into labor while there (or even while driving)and and then you wouldn't be able to be delivered by the OB that has followed you for 9 months. As long as you are ok with that risk, then I don't see what the big deal is. I assume the area that the wedding is in has Maternity Facilities. Also, consider medical facilities along the drive there.
I would go. I couldn't miss the wedding of my best friend. At 37.5 wks, yes, you could go into labor. But chances are you won't. And if you happened to have any signs that you were going in to labor, 3 hours should be sufficient time to get back home. And as PP said, if for some reason you were caught off guard, you could just deliver up there!
I would go to the wedding - but with that being said just because she said you show no signs of going into labor it doesn't mean you won't. I had an appointment in the morning and they told me I had at least another week, my water broke that afternoon.
Doctors have to be cautious with advice for liability reasons. I would make a bunch of contingency plans about "what if" you showed first signs of labor on the way there, on the way home, while at the wedding, etc, and plan, plan, plan up the wazoo for all sorts of circumstances. Then, I'd go. I'd take it as EASY as possible on the way there, during the wedding and on the way home, understanding that just "being there" is really the goal. I'd make sure your DH is fully on board with the fact that he has to wait on you hand and foot during the trip and during the wedding. I'd make sure he understood that you may have to leave at a moment's notice (and that you may have to hold back and should not "over-indulge" at the wedding, just in case.) Then, I'd go and have fun! What a story it would be if your labor started at the wedding or in route back home from it! Good luck with your decision!!!! Meg
i would go but I woudl make sure I would find hospitals on the way and at the wedding location to make sure you woudl know what to do if you did go into labor!
What Meg said -- especially the "take it easy" part and the part where DH has to be on board with the contingency plans. That's assuming your doctor is advising against it just because it's standard procedure for that stage of pregnancy, not because there's some reason why you, specifically, might be at risk of something.
Thanks ladies, you've all already made me feel a ton better! Unless my body is telling me otherwise next week, I do think we'll go. I will start working on my multiple layered contingency plan (just in case). Thanks for your support and responses!
I agree. As long as you know where the hospitals are along the way, and there, and you take it super easy (no crazy dancing lol), I'd think you would be ok in all situations. I assume your doc is just advising against it b/c of your gestation, not b/c he is worried about anything else.
It certainly sounds like your doctor has a "no travel past X weeks" policy. FWIW, DH's cousin got on a plane and flew 3.5 hours to visit a dying relative at 37 weeks with a singleton. She'd been complication-free and her midwife was fine with it. I agree with the others that it's wise to know where the hospitals are JIC. Personally, I'd do my homework and then I'd go and have a good time. I'd also plan to stop every hour for a walk around to keep the blood flowing.
what they said! Hope you're able to go (ie: don't go into labor the day before or something crazy) and have a great time!
