Anyone made a 14 hour car ride while 32 weeks pregnant?

[Jenny-momof3]

Contemplating going to Disney over Thanksgiving. We were supposed to go over Christmas but I'll be 38 weeks pregnant then so obviously can't go.

We would be driving from Ohio and it takes us about 14 hours. We did this last month and I did just fine.

I've never had any sort of preterm labor and always feel great right up to the end. Not worried about walking around the parks, etc. Just a bit worried about the long drive. My dh would do pretty much all the driving except for maybe an hour or two each way.

Anyone done this?

 

[jack'smom]

I drove almost 12 hours back home for Christmas last year while I was 31 or 32 weeks pregnant. It was very hard--I was uncomfortable and couldn't sleep. My doctor also told me to get out and walk every 2-3 hours. I found that I really needed to walk for a while to help with swelling and everything. So this added quite a bit of time to our drive. We also drove through the night so our older DS could sleep and it was kind of hard to find a safe place to walk around. I do, however, have a history of preterm birth (36 weeks), so this did add some stress to our drive.

 

[A&N829]

I did about nine hours fine. Just very swollen feet and tons of stops for walking and restroom breaks!

 

[Jenny-momof3]

We have to stop some for my kids anyways.. although we don't stop for long. And amazingly that after 3 kids I still have the bladder of a camel so I probably wouldn't need too many extra restroom breaks.

My dh thinks I'm crazy for even wanting to go.

 

[hopeandtink]

I was 34 weeks and drove 10 hours by myself to see husband that was in military school! I took breaks every 2-3 hours and did fine. Since you will have your your DH with you, I say go for it!!

 

[stace1214]

I was feeling fantastic at 32 weeks and would have had no problem with a drive that long- as long as I wasn't the one driving! As others have said, if you stop and walk fairly frequently and drink plenty of fluid to try to keep swelling down you should be fine. Have fun!!

 

[Joyful3Heart]

I never drove that far pregnant, but just a caution...even if you don't need to stop for restroom breaks, make sure you stop and walk around at least every 2 hours. Also try to keep your feet up as much as possible but don't lay too far back. Whew, I know that seems like a lot but pregnant women are at high risk for clot forming, especially in the leg veins and even more so when the legs are dependent for long periods of time. I would definitely run the idea past your OB as well, he/she would be the best one to give advice pertinent to your individual needs. Blessings!

 

[RMulieri]

I would check with your OB.Mine would NEVER have ok'd that length of time in the car at that point of pregnancy.But if they say its ok , go for it.Just make sure you stop and move around.DVT is a much higher risk in Pregnant women

 

[dreamer423]

I flew international flights for a total of just over 24 hours, 3 flights - the 2 longest 8 hours, 6 hours @ 6 1/2 mos. It was uncomfortable-even in first class. but I did appreciate being able to get up and move around. Oh, and i made it fine!

 

[teresajoy]

Contemplating going to Disney over Thanksgiving. We were supposed to go over Christmas but I'll be 38 weeks pregnant then so obviously can't go.

We would be driving from Ohio and it takes us about 14 hours. We did this last month and I did just fine.

I've never had any sort of preterm labor and always feel great right up to the end. Not worried about walking around the parks, etc. Just a bit worried about the long drive. My dh would do pretty much all the driving except for maybe an hour or two each way.

Anyone done this?

No, but I did do a 19 hour drive to Disney World when I was 31 weeks. My midwife wasn't reall happy with it, but she told me to stop every three hours to get out and walk around and only drink water. She didn't want me to drink anything that would make me retain water, as I recall.

 

[bankgirl05]

good luck if you decide to go, but please please please check with your OB first, not only do you have the long drive to consider, but the extra amount of walking and time on your feet, and we all know that this can sometimes accelerate labor. 2 of my 3 were born at 36 weeks, I just think it is too close to take a chance of going into labor and being so far away from my Dr...
Good luck and many blessings to you!!!

 

[Cedarmom]

Yes. I did it last Christmas. I was 32/33 weeks preggo for a 14 hour drive 'home'. I didn't have any problems. Dh pretty much did all the driving and we had to stop for the kids every couple of hours anyway. As long as your OB gives you the okay, I say have fun!

 

[LittleSeacow]

We drove to Florida when I was 30 weeks pregnant (and home when I was 31 weeks). I took us around 22 hours each way and I was able to do it by stopping every two hours. Just long enough for the much needed bathroom break and a quick stroll. My doctor was OK with this and it should be fine as long as you are feeling ok. Good Luck!

 

[Zeebs]

I did a 14 hour flight in economy, at 31 weeks. We then had a stopover for 3 hours then back into it again for another 9 hours. Did this flight twice there and back obviously. All the obvious stuff has been mentioned. I don't know how your healthcare works, but anytime I went too far from home after a certain point, I carried my notes just in case I did happen to go into labour they had everything right there straight away to refer to.

Have a great trip

Kirsten

 

[Momof2princess']

I would definately check with your doctor, but it is definatel possible. When I was 33 weeks pregnant I flew back home to visit family - 5hrs in a plane. I ok'd it with m dr beforehand and due to circumstances she was fine with it...my mom has cancer and was thought to be at the end. After being there for two weeks my DH came out and we drove home - normally a 26 hour drive, but since it was Dec. and stormy it ended up being 32-33hours. The advice I would add would be to drink a LOT of water! I started having contractions because I wasn't drinking enough water. My DD is now 6 months old and healthy. Also though, I had no health risks and a normal pregnancy. I never had swollen feet with either pregnancy so if that is a factor I would be extra careful. Also, I worked out up until days before I delivered including working out the morning we left to help ease the constant sitting. And STRETCH!! Its amazing what a good stretch will do! Good luck with your decision. My opinion is to go for it!

 

[tlh0726]

If your OB okays it and you are feeling okay about doing it then go for it.
I would however check with your health insurance to make sure that they will cover the cost if you were to experience any difficulties. Some insurances will not cover if you are X miles from home after a certain week of your pregnancy.

 

[tigger51276]

If your OB okays it and you are feeling okay about doing it then go for it.
I would however check with your health insurance to make sure that they will cover the cost if you were to experience any difficulties. Some insurances will not cover if you are X miles from home after a certain week of your pregnancy.

Yup I was just going to mention that too. Definitely check with both your OB and your insurance company. I did a 14 hour drive alone when I was 32 weeks pregnant with my first. I had a high risk pregnancy, became borderline and then actual hemopheliac while pregnant both times. However during my 1st pregnancy I was in great shape so my OB told me I could go (it was a 2 week camping trip) as long as I stopped often to get out and walk and just paid attention to what my body was telling me. I also had my OB office make a copy of my entire file as I was traveling 3 states away so that if anything happened at least they would have my records. I actually ended up stopping every hour to hour and a half and it was a good thing because it was actually a little painful to walk at that point. Not sure if it was because I was doing the driving, but all in all I made it to my destination in 18 hours instead of 14 but at least I made it. I think I made it home a little quicker than that.
If you feel you are up to it then go for it, but even if you don't feel like you need to stop and walk, do it anyway as it's better to be safe than sorry!

 

[Jenny-momof3]

OP here....this thread is almost a year old. Not sure how it got bumped.

We did end up making the trip down there and I was actually 34 weeks pregnant when we went. I did fine on the long drive and did fine walking around the parks all day. In fact....I outlasted everyone every night.

My little guy is now 5 1/2 months old and we took him for his first trip at 10 weeks.

 

[duffy]

My daughter's child is due in 3 weeks, and my daughter and her husband just drove 10 hours to get here this weekend. I really wasn't thrilled that they did it, but I am also glad she's here. Of course, she has to drive another 10 hours home again on Monday.

She wouldn't have done it if her doctor hadn't said it would be ok, of course.

 

[tlh0726]

OP here....this thread is almost a year old. Not sure how it got bumped.

We did end up making the trip down there and I was actually 34 weeks pregnant when we went. I did fine on the long drive and did fine walking around the parks all day. In fact....I outlasted everyone every night.

My little guy is now 5 1/2 months old and we took him for his first trip at 10 weeks.

Glad to hear all went well and that the little guy got see what he missed the first time around