Would you go camping 3+ hours away at 37 weeks???

[mad4mady]

DD is in girl scouts and they are having a mother/ daughter camp out 3-4 hours away. This was something really special we had planned to do together before the baby is born. The weekend we are scheduled to go is when I will be 37 weeks pregnant. I have polyhydramnios which makes me have a greater chance of preterm labor. So, would you still go? The closest hospital would be about 2 hours away.

I am thinking it would be fine to give it a try but, I am also really not wanting to disappoint dd and I don't want that to cloud my decision.

Thanks, Megan

[erigeron]

Personally I wouldn't want to chance it. Is there some sort of alternate activity you could plan with her--either something sooner, or something that involves staying in town or traveling a shorter distance away?

[Aliy]

thats a toughie. you are term at 37 weeks so baby could easily come....

how was your last pregnancy how long did you gestate? I likley wouldn't....

[gummibears]

Personally, I wouldn't. I don't think a doctor even allows you to go more than an hour away from 32 weeks on (That's what I was told earlier) I'd discuss the reasoning why you can't attend and overall safety should reign supreme. You can always plan another trip post birth to make it up to her. It might not be with the scouts, but it's too risky IMO to go out that late.

[elisheva]

Originally Posted by gummibears 

Personally, I wouldn't. I don't think a doctor even allows you to go more than an hour away from 32 weeks on (That's what I was told earlier)

Ok. Doctors don't dictate travel plans. Is he going to put her on house arrest? How does this "not allowing" work? A doctor can *recommend* things, but they don't ever *allow* things that are within a patient's control. FWIW, I believe even airlines will accept pregnant women up till 36 weeks so 32 weeks is probably not correct.

[Chloe'sMama]

I wouldn't have thought twice.... until I read the part about polyhydramnios and pre-term labor....

I went camping at 36 weeks, no worries at all, but I go all the way till the end with mine.  Lucky for me, cause my labor was only a few hours (once I realized I was in labor), I wouldn't have made to the hospital.

[Buddhamom]

I would say go for it but you already have a preexisting situation so I would say no.  I mean if you were going to be in a camper where you would have things at your disposal in case would be a lot different than GS camping. The other thing you would want to consider is your DH/SO possibly missing the birth if you went early while camping. I am camping at 38 weeks but we have a small 14 ft. camper so if something should occur, she will just be born in there.  My midwife frowned upon me going at 39 weeks since we go an hour away.  But We are just going to go hiking that weekend instead *LOL*

[Peony]

That is one that I wouldn't do if it was me based on the other things. 

[mad4mady]

Thanks for all your thoughts, I really appreciate them.

I should have added that we will not be camping in a tent, It is the girl scout camp where we stay in Cabins. Dh was thinking of going up there too and staying in a near by motel so I wouldn't have to drive and he would be close in case I needed him.

I went until 39.5 weeks with dds birth and it was 18 hours. If I was going on that I wouldn't even think about I would feel it would be fine but, I did not have polyhydramnios with her and so had no risk of preterm labor...okay with all that info, do you still think its a no go??

Thanks, Megan

[Buddhamom]

Well, that depends on how you feel about having an UC.  You could always stay at the hotel with DH if you were uncomfortable or just not feeling right and stay or deliver there if need be.

[mad4mady]

Originally Posted by Buddhamom 

Well, that depends on how you feel about having an UC.  You could always stay at the hotel with DH if you were uncomfortable or just not feeling right and stay or deliver there if need be.

I think if I didn't have the condition I would be more comfortable with the chance of a UC however, with this condition you run the risk of having baby breech or having the umbilical cord fall into the birth canal so due to these factors it is not a safe idea at all. If I went into labor, we would have to drive to the hospital.

[clutterbug]

Such a personal comfort level thing...for me, I wouldn't go even without the extra risk factor.  I would just not relish the idea of a 2 hour drive in labour (I am going to give birth around 45 minutes from where I live and will be heading out pretty much at the first twinge of labour, and even that I am not thrilled about!) and personally I wouldn't want to UC that distance from medical help in the unlikely event that I needed emergency support.  But others would be very comfortable with it...in the end, I guess you have to go with your gut.  Ack, tough call.  Good luck deciding!

[Italiamom]

Originally Posted by mad4mady 

with this condition you run the risk of having baby breech or having the umbilical cord fall into the birth canal so due to these factors it is not a safe idea at all. If I went into labor, we would have to drive to the hospital.

Nope, wouldn't do it.

I would, however, try to plan something with your DD for maybe the weekend before?  Let her pick out something that will be special to her that's close to town, and play it up as a big deal.  Have fun planning the details in the weeks or months ahead.  Get a calendar to watch as the date gets closer.  That sort of thing...  It's a bummer that you can't go with her, but I really wouldn't.

[tourist.]

I wouldn't do it either. 

Most importantly, if you do go into labor (which at that point wouldn't even be pre-term) and cord prolapse is an increased risk due to the polyhydramnios - 2 hours is way too far away from medical help.  Without polyhydramnios, I still probably would not go but it would be less of a concern for potential emergencies, and more for my own physical comfort and I don't think my DH would be into a UC if we weren't able to get to the hospital/labor support on time. 

I agree with the others to do something special with your DD before the camping trip.  I can see how terribly disappointing it would be for both of you to not attend the trip, but in the end it's probably the wise choice.

[Stayseeliz]

I wouldn't go either. I don't go more than an hour away from my OB after 34 weeks. I'm just not comfortable with it. Especially with your condition. You never know when you'll go into labor.

[kawa kamuri]

I'd be shocked to have this babe at less than 41+w and no way would I go. 

[Ravin]

I went at 39 weeks to a week-long camping event an hour from home. I took a proper mattress to sleep on in my tent, and didn't have to do a whole lot of walking because the heads of the event gave me priority rides on the golf cart shuttles the whole time (I was on the volunteer staff).

FWIW, I was diagnosed with polyhydramnios late in my first pregnancy; it was the excuse my dr. gave for inducing at 41 w 6 days, and in this one when I went in for a sonogram at 40 weeks to confirm position. It wasn't severe, and has obviously not affected the baby's growth (DD was 7 lb. 13 oz., and last week they estimated this babe was almost 9 lbs.). It obviously didn't result in preterm labor for me, either. The only risk of polyhydramnios I wound up with was a cesarean, and that was the Dr.'s fault. My midwife doesn't seem to think it's a concern.

Going into labor at 37 weeks generally isn't considered preterm; I'd just be prepared to head home if you think you're going into labor. That is, if you haven't had very short or early labors with previous pregnancies.

If it was me, I'd go ahead. In the end, you need to trust your own intuition. If you need reassurance, get a sonogram before you go, just to make sure the baby's still doing fine.

[jcregan]

If you decide not to go, are there any hotels nearby with pools or water parks or anything like that?  I don't know how old your daughter is but I know my daughter loves going to a hotel.  You could do special things like order room service for a meal etc.

[BarefootScientist]

I definitely wouldn't, even without the risk factors. I'm not going to commit myself to much after 36 weeks.

[Mamatoabunch]

No, I would not. The last time we went camping was 32 weeks. I have had two at 37 weeks.