I'm 35 weeks pregnant and we need to travel back to Cleveland for a funeral (my FIL passed away). I'm scared to travel- both plane and car- this far along. My husband thinks I'm overreacting. I called my OB and he said "it should be ok", recommending stopping every 1-2 hrs to stretch and wearing compression stockings. Do you guys think it would be ok? Would you go? Drive or fly? Also, we have a 2 1/2 year old and live in Utah.
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First, I am so sorry for your loss!
Secondly, my OB wanted me within two hours of the hospital once I reached 27 weeks. We had to cancel our summer vacation plans. I personally wouldn't drive that far at that point in pregnancy but I know others who have and were fine.
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My son was born at 34 weeks so I would be nervous too, but I think for this circumstance there is only so much you can do. This isn't something I would want to miss.
I would make sure you contact the local hospital where you are traveling to and find out what you should do should you need medical attention during your trip. How long is the drive vs. the plane ride? I would maybe fly if I thought it would be comfortable just because I would want the traveling to be over sooner, but if you drive I would also map out major cities along the way and know where those hospitals are too, just in case 
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Thanks for the input. I don't think it's a good idea, but my husband is making me feel incredibly guilty and saying "you just don't want to go". Ugh.
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Is it your first?
If my husbands father died I would absolutely want to go. That said, both my kids were late (11 days late with #1) so if it were my second pregnancy I wouldn't be worried.
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If you go, identify a hospital in advance - or hospitals if you drive - and bring a full copy of your medical file. I delivered at 35 weeks so I would be scared to travel at that point again. When was the 2 1/2 yer old born?
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I had my second at 35 weeks 4 days. I wouldn't travel. My OB didn't want me to travel more then 2 hours after I was 28 weeks. (I traveled up to 33.5 weeks tho, much to OBs dismay)
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In that situation I would go. I traveled about 9 hours in a car each way for a wedding at 36 weeks. And then I traveled a couple hours away even up till a week before my due date. I looked up hospitals I could deliver at with our insurance. But the biggest reason I traveled so late was my husband had to travel. and I wanted him there for the birth even if it meant not delivering at our hospital. What does your OB think? Mine was fine with travel as long as there was a plan in place. Would you have a place to stay if baby was born early?
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My first was late- 41 weeks. I'm scared to drive because it would be 20+ hours each way, and I'm scared to fly with flu season and all the other nasty stuff (I really don't want to get sick and/or have my toddler sick too). I'm also scared of developing a DVT (my mom got one with me).
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Sorry for your loss.
I think I flew at 35 weeks with LO1. It was only an hour flight. While I never felt unsafe I was very uncomfortable - and I was generally a very comfortable pregnant lady. You have a hard decision to make.
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In this situation, I would go and fly. If you did deliver there, you would be fine. I would have a plan in place (which hospital to go to, medical records, etc) but it's not something I would skip personally.
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I would go - it sounds like your DH needs you and it's not that far, nor is it a remote place without adequate medical facilities. I flew on a 4 hr flight at 35 weeks pregnant, plus had my 18 month old, and it was fine. I wasn't uncomfortable and just made sure I had an aisle seat so I could get up and walk frequently. As for germs, I wouldn't worry about that - wash your hands frequently and don't worry about it. The concept of people getting sick from being on planes is grossly exaggerated, and would not be a good enough reason for me not to travel to the funeral of my husband's father.
I'm sorry for your family's loss
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That's tough. I delivered my 1st at 40 and 2nd at 37. I actually took a short flight with my then 15 month old at 35 weeks and it was manageable...I just brought a package of on the go wipes. Not sure I would travel past 34 weeks now with my medical history.
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If you do decide to go, call your insurance and make sure they would cover your labor and delivery in another state. My doc let me know a lot of insurances don't consider it an emergency (since you know you are having a baby at some point soon) and won't cover an out of state birth.
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I would fly. Get an aisle seat so you can walk around and use the bathroom when you need to, stay hydrated and bring some hand sanitizer and wipes for the tray table. But honestly, I'd move heaven and earth to make sure I was there for my husband at his father's funeral, especially if my OB said it should be okay.
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Also, check the airline's policy - some will require a doctor's note giving you clearance to fly after 28 weeks.
I would make sure you contact the local hospital where you are traveling to and find out what you should do should you need medical attention during your trip. How long is the drive vs. the plane ride? I would maybe fly if I thought it would be comfortable just because I would want the traveling to be over sooner, but if you drive I would also map out major cities along the way and know where those hospitals are too, just in case 
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