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DD putting herself at risk, its giving me sleepless nights

(96 Posts)
SuperTinny Wed 07-Feb-24 20:51:38

Just looking for some support.

My DD is well educated and is a very responsible, well paid health care professional. She has a lovely husband and a nearly four year old. Their second child is due by planned Caesarian section (if all goes to plan) sometime the week begining 27th April 2024. Her first child arrived at 38 weeks and she has lost five pregnancies trying for a second child. She has a Schirodaker suture in her Cervix to help keep it closed. Because of this if her waters were to break or she went into labour early then it would be a medical emergency.

My problem is this. DD has decided that above all else she has to visit Harry Potter World with an old school friend. They both grew up reading HP and were mad on the books. They have been to HPW before about ten years ago.
They have booked for 13th April as all previous convenient dates were fully booked.

She will be in her 37th week of a hard earned pregnancy and at risk of an early labour. She will be travelling alone by train and meeting the friend there. She lives 200 hundred miles from HPW and will have to travel across London from Paddington to Euston on the underground on a Saturday afternoon. There is a further train change after Euston to get to Watford, a shuttle bus to the attraction and the nearest hotel is a 2.5 mile taxi journey afterwards. Then there is the return journey on Sunday. The journey across London will be unfamiliar to her and she will be looking at directions etc.

I am exasperated with her that she thinks that a lone travelling, heavily pregnant female who is advertising her unfamiliarity with her surroundings by looking at her phone and boards for directions is not a target for attack or assault. Added to that her pregnancy will be at a very vulnerable stage and I am so very scared for her. On top of that she will have a return journey of around 9 hours for a 3 hour evening visit.

I am losing considerable sleep over this and have had several conversations with her about it. I've tried to reason with her, I've tried to frighten her. I know that I cannot physically stop her but I feel I need to try everything, because if anything happened I would forever regret not doing everything I could to stop this (in my opinion) frivolous and selfish trip.

Am I over reacting like she thinks I am?

Septimia Tue 13-Feb-24 16:17:21

I wonder, SuperTinny, if she was/is worried about the pregnancy and C-section and so wanted to plan something "normal" to look forward to.

I'm pleased she's changed her mind!

Callistemon21 Tue 13-Feb-24 12:12:10

This could run and run 🙂

NotSpaghetti Tue 13-Feb-24 12:11:26

SeaWoozle this was updated.
She's not going now.

SeaWoozle Tue 13-Feb-24 12:09:16

She's making unwise choices. But she's an adult. She would have to live with the consequences should, God forbid, anything go amiss. At 37 weeks pregnant all I wanted to do was sleep as I could barely move! Maybe now you've planted the seed she'll see reason and change her plans.

Callistemon21 Tue 13-Feb-24 11:44:04

🙂

VioletSky Tue 13-Feb-24 11:31:49

Ah, thank you

Hope she gets to go another time

Callistemon21 Tue 13-Feb-24 11:21:57

VioletSky

There are hospitals there too, This could happen if she were at home washing up. Try not to worry

SuperTinny updated.
She's not going now.

VioletSky Tue 13-Feb-24 10:59:10

There are hospitals there too, This could happen if she were at home washing up. Try not to worry

Callistemon21 Tue 13-Feb-24 10:49:16

I'm glad she's decided not to go, SuperTinny and hope all goes well with the rest of her pregnancy and birth.

25Avalon Tue 13-Feb-24 10:15:47

Good. Common sense has prevailed. What a relief for you SuperTinny. I’ll keep my fingers crossed now that all goes well with the birth and you will soon have another lovely gc.

Mollygo Tue 13-Feb-24 09:40:20

Glad to hear you’re happier about your daughter, SuperTinny.
My daughter and family went to the Harry Potter exhibition yesterday.
She said it was busy, but not overly so, possibly because London schools weren’t on half term. She said there were plenty of benches to sit down on, but it was a long day.
Hope all goes well with the pregnancy and birth.

Whiff Tue 13-Feb-24 06:23:14

SuperTinny glad she realised herself she can't go yet. As much as we want to say something we have to let our loved ones reach the decision on their limitations their self.

I am guilty of being stubborn and not listening to my daughter sage advise. I know this isn't the same . I have been widowed 20 years and after losing 7st my wedding ring which I still wore was lose so usually wore a plastic spiral ring tightner but forgot one day and after shopping went into my favourite cafe. When I got home took my gloves off no ring . I screamed and was in tears and phoned my daughter in a panic which she rightly told me off about because I scared her. I have help problems and she thought I was seriously ill and needed to go too hospital. Phoned the cafe they had it and knew it was mind. I won't have it resized as I want to keep it as my husband put on my finger.

I learnt a frightening lesson so wear it on a snake linked silver chain . My daughter had been telling me for a year to put it on a chain. As usual she was right .

We are all guilty of pushing ourselves to far and hurting ourselves and frightening our loved ones.

I hope your daughters pregnancy goes well and has a safe delivery and the joy of a new baby.

MissAdventure Tue 13-Feb-24 00:37:21

I'm glad the situation has been resolved without any upset.
smile

NotSpaghetti Tue 13-Feb-24 00:27:34

I think this is right Elrel.

Elrel Tue 13-Feb-24 00:24:59

SuperTinny
Please calm yourself and spend the remainder of your daughter’s pregnancy in a state of mind which will not add to the stress of her present condition and the future birth. We all worry about our children, grandchildren, and greatgrandchildren. Sometimes we see them making what seem to us to be unwise decisions. Best to explain our misgivings calmly, once, then avoid the subject unless asked to discuss it further. Surely you understand that trying to frighten your daughter was not an appropriate reaction. Wishing you and your family all the best during the next few weeks.

SuperTinny Mon 12-Feb-24 23:49:34

I think she has finally come to her senses.

I saw her at the weekend, she complained of being exhausted, uncomfortable and a bit breathless. She is about the same size at 30 weeks this time than she was at term last time.

I didn't say anything but gave her a look and she said she knew and she wouldn't be going.
She is looking for a cancellation slot a bit sooner but I think both of us know it's unlikely to happen this side of the birth. She can move her tickets and has up to a year to use them so I think its OK.

I know so many of you thought I was an interfering old witch. I think I surprised myself with the strength of emotion I felt about this ill thought out trip.

Very little phases or shocks me, I'm am normally very chilled and relaxed. On a day to day basis I have no anxiety. I am not prone to extremes of emotion: I rarely react to anything in the extreme. Most people describe me as pragmatic and I'm usually very 'up' for facilitating a mad scheme.

But this scared me so much that I recognised I needed to say something out loud, and to anyone who would listen. And keep on saying it until it was resolved.

M0nica Fri 09-Feb-24 21:02:28

i think you are over-thinking if you think she is a target for attack or assault. Attacks and assaults on pregnant women finding their way through the British train network and around London to a new destination are vanishingly rare. She will be as safe as she would crossing the road at home.

Whether she should be doing this journey in the last few weeks of such a fraught pregnancy is quite another problem. But , as everyone says, just keep quiet but be prepared to pick up the pieces if everything goes wrong - and do not say 'I told you so'

Hithere Fri 09-Feb-24 20:53:30

Op

Your daughter is an adult, she doesnt need you to approve of her decisions

Stop telling her off

If anything, you do need to deal with your anxiety urgently.

mae13 Fri 09-Feb-24 19:05:32

Goodness - she must be a desperate Harry Potter fan if she wants to go so very badly! Sounds pretty unwise, but it's her life.

wildswan16 Fri 09-Feb-24 18:56:10

Forget about this for the time being. She may well change her mind as pregnancy progresses and mobility decreases.

Ellie Anne Fri 09-Feb-24 18:54:17

I don’t understand why you think she would be a target for attack. Many people travelling will be looking at phones or notice boards. I think people would be more inclined to offer help than assault her.
However I do agree that she is being unwise at that stage of a difficult pregnancy. Hopefully she will realise that nearer then time.

eazybee Fri 09-Feb-24 18:08:36

Well, it will probably be all right but if not my sympathies will be solely with the medical professionals who will have to deal with an emergency that is entirely avoidable.

Luckygirl3 Fri 09-Feb-24 17:56:29

Your DD is a health care professional.
Your DD is a grown adult.
Your DD will have weighed up the risks.
Your DD has the right to make her own decisions.

My DDs have occasionally made decisions that I would not have done - but my thoughts are irrelevant.

If she goes into labour, she will immediately phone for help, and will be capable of explaining to the doctors her history.
If she does not feel up to it on the day, she will not go.

I would stop talking with her about it and expressing your opinion - I am sure she has got the message that talking with you will cause you worry so will take steps to make sure she does not worry you in future.

Allsorts Fri 09-Feb-24 16:11:29

What a way to talk about your sil. Your poor daughter. I’m afraid she shouldn’t put up with it. I take it you must think your daughter stupid to be with him. I wouldn’t want you involved. You are a disturbing example to your grandchild.

rafichagran Fri 09-Feb-24 16:04:03

pascal30

well you obviously have nil respect or liking for your SIL.. how dismissive,, you need to let them live their own lives

This.