Nine Months Pregnant...Ten Year High School Reunion?

[Anonymous]

I need advice. My wife is due July 3rd. Her high school reunion is on June 12th nearly 4.5 hours away in NC. I don't think that she should travel that close to her due date, but I have something working against me: My high school reunion is the exact same day here in DC. She really wants to go to her reunion and of course I wouldn't let her go down there alone, but I really don't think she should be travelling that close.

I hated high school so I have little interest in attending my reunion, but of course it doesn't seem that way when I make my case.

Any ideas?

[Anonymous]

1. Accompany her to her reunion, and skip yours, since you did not like high school.

2. Miss both reunions and relax at home instead.

What you should NOT do is to go to your reunion, and leave her to go to hers with somebody else or alone, or not go at all.

[Anonymous]

The due date is the 3rd and the reunion is the 12th? The baby could already be born by then. Or be liteterally on the way. I don't think there is any way to make this trip. Is your wife pushing for it? If the baby isn't born yet, it will be past her due date. Doubt any doctor would clear you guys traveling.

[Anonymous]

read your insurance policy - most have some kind of language that states that if the baby is born out of network within a certain number of weeks of the due date, they won't cover the birth.

that said - I was late with both babies...

[Anonymous]

Yeah, I would say check with your OB. I really doubt they would be that psyched about you driving that far away so close to the due date.
And I think skipping yours is probably the best idea--I mean, you didn't like HS anyway so what's the point? You can go to your 15th if you feel like you really missed out.

[Anonymous]

This is your first, I take it? Chances are your baby won't be anywhere near due (she will be just around 37 weeks, right?). That said, I wouldn't let her go alone so either you both go or neither of you goes. If she feels strongly about it, then just go with her. Though she may really change her mind when she sees how huge she will be at 37 weeks and how no clothes will fit her (even maternity clothes). God, last place I'd want to be when 9 months pregnant is surrounded by my high school classmates, but perhaps that is just me.

[Anonymous]

I should add (PP here) that I'm due about a week after your wife, OP, and if this is her first, she really may not realize how uncomfortable she will get those last few weeks. We are still in the glorious 2 trimester and still have lots of energy, not too big, feel great. I'm on my third pregnancy, so I'm under no delusions that it will stay this way, but your wife may think that she will be feeling great then. She may be, but I don't know too many 37-38 week pregnant women who feel good (physically or otherwise). Chances are that when the time comes, she won't really want to go...

[Anonymous]

I would tell her you'll be happy to go with her. When you're a few days away, make sure she knows it's ok to change her mind. I can't imagine any woman in her right mind would actually want to go to a HS reunion at 37 weeks. She has no idea what she's actually in for. Hugely pregnant, summer heat, ill fitting clothes. Isn't the point of HS reunions to impress everyone with how good you look?

[Anonymous]

I'll add a different perspective -- I did NOT feel horrible and huge when 37 weeks pregnant. I felt... fine. A bit unwieldy, but fine. I could definitely have traveled several hours to go to a reunion. If I were you, I would wait until closer to the date of the event and see how she is feeling. If she feels fine and your OB/midwife has no concern, then go! Have fun!

[Anonymous]

Tell her you'll go but she needs approval from her doctor. They won't give it, and you'll be off the hook!

[Anonymous]

At 37 weeks I was so swollen I couldn't wear my wedding rings or any of my shoes. And then I got the PUPPP rash. Lots o' fun. Some people may feel terrific. I'd agree with those who say you should agree to go to her reunion with the understanding that you'll cancel the trip if she's not feeling well or the OB recommends against it when the date gets closer. At that point you'd probably have to stop every hour or so on your drive to hit a rest area bathroom so it will take longer than 4.5 hours.

[Anonymous]

I think you should go, especially if your wife really wants to. Maybe bring a copy of her records just in case. Worse case, she has the baby at a hospital down there. The average time of gestation for first time moms is 41w8d.

[Anonymous]

Also, have her schedule one of her dr. appointments for right before the trip, and get an opinion from the doc on whether or not she can travel. I think it's pretty rare to go into labor 3 weeks early with no signs of dilation, effacement, etc.

[Anonymous]

I agree completely with 9:29. I felt great up to the actual birth and would have gone. So, as long as she still feels good and the doc says its ok, go

[Anonymous]

I drove 4 hours to a wedding at 36.5 weeks pregnant and felt just fine. My doctor was okay with it, so we went. I'd say wait and see how she feels but if she is up to it and the doctor says okay, why not.