[JamieCatheryn]

DH is going away for a long weekend right after I get to 36 weeks (2.5 weeks from now). He'll be about 5 hours away if I need to call him home. DS came at 41 weeks, I don't expect to go early, but ack anyway! I'll pretty much be term. I'll be 37 weeks by LMP actually, but I'm counting from O. If I check my dilation and I'm at 2cm or more before his trip I might ask him to stay, though he wouldn't like that. I'm at 1cm and very soft now. Yeah that doesn't say when baby will come but a lot of change could mean a labor too fast for him to get back in time. How would you guys handle it?

 

[Amydoula]

I feel your pain. My DH is leaving Friday and not coming back until the 19th and he'll be in EUROPE with no hope of coming home to make the birth if I should go into labor. I'll only be between 34-35.5 weeks so chances are low but I do have a whole back-up plan in place for support for me and for my DS1 if it should happen.

 

[BabyMae09]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamieCatheryn DH is going away for a long weekend right after I get to 36 weeks (2.5 weeks from now). He'll be about 5 hours away if I need to call him home. DS came at 41 weeks, I don't expect to go early, but ack anyway! I'll pretty much be term. I'll be 37 weeks by LMP actually, but I'm counting from O. If I check my dilation and I'm at 2cm or more before his trip I might ask him to stay, though he wouldn't like that. I'm at 1cm and very soft now. Yeah that doesn't say when baby will come but a lot of change could mean a labor too fast for him to get back in time. How would you guys handle it?

Honestly? I'd tell him not to go. Where is he going that's so important? My DP hasn't left me to go anywhere (including 1.5 hours away with his friends for a day trip) since I got pregnant. It's amazing, and I think it's the way partners should be if at all possible.

Unless he's going to lose his job or something if he doesn't go, I think he should stay. After all, it's his baby too! And you're his wife - his job is to support you. But, I don't have all the details, so maybe I'm being too hard on him?

 

[j_p_i]

I'd be a bit nervous too, though I can't say for sure how I'd handle being in your situation. I'd be inclined to ask him if the trip can wait, or perhaps shortened? Or even if he can go earlier? That way you wouldn't be so close to term.

If it were me and my DH, unless the trip was for work I'd ask him not to go.

 

[lotus.blossom]

My DH left the state for a wedding at 36 weeks during my last pregnancy. I was bummed that I couldn't go with. I didn't mind though. I was figuring on a late baby anyway.

I'd be willing to bet that you'll be fine......now 38-39 weeks I'd say no.

 

[CookAMH]

Keep in mind that dilation really means nothing about when you will go into labor. It could give you false assurance or false alarm.

My DH may be going out of town when I'm 37-38 weeks and since it's our first, we're not expecting anything early.

 

[octanebeetle27]

My DH is flying across the country for five days (for work) when I'm 36 weeks. I don't think I'll deliver then but boy is it going to be exhausting having no help for that week with the girls. I'd rather him go then than to have to take a trip when the baby is only a month old or so though.

You'll make it thru just fine! My thought is that worst case is that the baby comes early--well as much as I want DH to be there (and he does too), it's not like he HAS to be there!

You could just evaluate how you are feeling before your DH leaves and go from there. As long as you can get a hold of him I wouldn't worry too much.

 

[kriket]

Quote:

Originally Posted by lotus.blossom I'd be willing to bet that you'll be fine......now 38-39 weeks I'd say no.

thats what I was thinking, it would make me nervous, but not really. kwim?

My mom is leaving the state when I'm 37 weeks

I told her she's asking for the baby to be born early...

 

[RomanGoddess]

My DH went away on business (2 hour flight) this week. I am at 36.5 weeks. He will leave again next week for one night and then that will be it for the business trips. I would think that you're ok at 36 weeks.

 

[LisaG]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamieCatheryn I'll be 37 weeks by LMP actually, but I'm counting from O.

This part confuses me - typically when they have you count by your LMP they add on 2 weeks, assuming all women O on day 14, because we know all women do

So I think that going by your LMP, that would put you at 38 weeks, not 37, even if you O'd on CD 7. Although if you know when you O'd, I'd go by that, just realize that full term based on ovulation is considered to be 38 weeks, not 40 (which is counting from LMP).

Is this your first birth? I think I'd be less concerned if it was, unless you have a family history (mom, sisters, etc) of early and/or quick labors. I personally would have a friend who was willing to be "on call" in case labor started and I'd tell dh that he can go, but will have to come home if signs of labor start happening.

 

[JamieCatheryn]

Ok, I should say I'm counting by O+2 weeks to be more specific, sorry. It's our second. I'm thinking I'll be 39-41 weeks (adjusted for conception) when it actually comes but there's always that chance we'll fall outside that range.

The trip can't wait, the event is that weekend. It's sorta recreational but his friends and people somewhat in charge of him are counting on him being there...they're fighting a war, you see. Medieval reenactment, swordfighting and such. He has a knight and baron and all these people he has to be loyal to and stuff. Plus if he gets these vacations they really recharge him well from the stress of work and school. Normally I'd go with him but I don't want to chase our 3 year old around camp at 36 weeks, the cost would go up, plus everyone would constantly talk about how they'd help delivery the baby if I went into labor there it'd be annoying.

Wow to those of you who will be even closer and have their DH leave a while, I'd be putting a very real plan together for labor without him in case it came to that. I'd also be hiring a doula and calling her in early, my midwife is great but she is tiny, can't provide me any physical support to speak of.

 

[catters]

Well, the exact same thing is happening to me. Except my husband will be in California (we live in Florida) the week I am 36 weeks/37 weeks. I asked my dad, who is retired and lives in Ohio, to come down to stay with me in case I needed to get to the hospital, as I need someone who wasn't just a neighbor or a friend to watch my 20 month old son.
Definitely not an ideal situation, but I doubt I'll go early, really...Or at least not that early. Anyway, good luck, no advice other than to try to get someone to be "on call" for you, but I do understand your worry perfectly!