For those of you who don't know me, I am currently 6 months pregnant and we are planning to go back to the UK in September after the baby is born.

That was until yesterday we got a letter from our letting agent saying that our landlord wants to sell the house we are currently renting. This means that we are faced with being homeless just before the baby comes, as we can't sign up to another 6 month contract on a new property, and the short term lets are all too expensive for anymore than a couple of weeks, and those that seem to be available are nowhere near work or childcare.

So, do we try to go back now before the baby is born? If so, that means leaving in the next 4-6 weeks!!! Haven't even thought about a list of things that need to be done before we can leave yet. I had a very bad pregnancy the first time round, though this one is OK at the moment, so there is a chance that the doctors won't sign a letter saying that I am able to travel even.

Should we try to stay as planned somehow, or go now??

when it rains it pours huh.

Flippin' 'eck

O.k...get in touch with the airline, see if they (whoever you choose) will allow you to fly that late in your pregnancy.

If they will, do you have somewhere you can stay in the UK for the duration of your remaining pregnancy? If you do.....get your skates on and get organising!

Don't worry, something will come up in a positive way for you. Just get the facts first, then you can decide.

Is your landlord aware that you're pregnant and planning to return to the UK in September? I would ask him if he would consider letting you stay until the baby is born and press on him/her your difficult pregnancy and problems with being able to fly home. He/she may relent as long as he/she is assured that you don't want a long-term rental.

After all, it's almost May and you only need to stay on for a few weeks longer. Also if you move out in September it will be almost Spring Down Under and perhaps you could impress upon your landlord that he/she would probably get a better price for the property rather than trying to sell it in the Winter?

I agree this would be the best solution, but if the landlord refuses to cooperate, I'd be on the next available flight back to Blighty - even if it meant having to leave husband behind for the time being. It's always easier for a single person to find temporary accommodation than a family.

I'd come home now, as there are also rules as to how early you can fly with a newborn baby.

I agree. Things can be organised very quickly too. We only booked our removals, flights and doggies just four weeks before we left.

Good luck with it all

But your baby is due in 3 months and September means 5 months from now so why not take out a 6 month lease- it's only an extra month.

If it helps my husband and I decided to move back to the Uk and were on the plane less than 2 months later. Although there is alot of work involved in moving it is easily do-able. They key is organisation, ie lists and more lists. Good luck

we flew with our daughter when she was 10 days old all I needed was a note from our GP and the airline said it would be OK. That was Air Canada though.

Hi,
I really feel for you, it's hard enough being pregnant without all this. Just like to say that we are going back to the UK on Saturday 5th May and the buyer's of our house only got finance approval last Monday 23rd April I have got the shippers in this week and once you start writing lists it's all quite straight forward. If you are renting it should be even easier. I think you are safe to fly usually up to 28 weeks without a doctor's note so if I was you I would book some flights and sort out what you have to this end and get going. I think the thought of the organisation is worse than actually doing it. Good luck.

Jo

Hi Jo

(I'm sorry to hijack the thread Mummy and to hear about the rental...I'm also having one of those 'i thought i had a plan days') I remember you saying that getting passports for your baby was relatively easy but just wondered how long the UK one took to process? The website says 10 days but allow 4 weeks, I then called up with some other questions and was told that first time applications take 3-6 weeks, don't book flights, don't make plans, do not pass go etc.etc. I have also been told today that a birth certificate can take 2 weeks and we are hoping to fly 7 weeks from the due date of our baby and I am now freaking out!!! I presume that if the UK one didn't arrive in time that even with an Aussie one we would be stuffed if we were moving back permanently....

Hi, am going home in two weeks to the UK from oz and I will be 28 weeks pregnant (with two toddlers!) Airline we're going with doesn't need note (till 29 week) but am getting doc to sign one anyway. Doc has said to me that flying ok as long as no heavy lifting, move around , wear socks, drink water etc. Also advised definitely travelling with someone so wouldn't go back alone - even if airlines help. I'd also sooner chance it pregnant (though we are going business as good deal) rather than new baby. Was worried i'd be tied for six weeks if I needed a csection. Also dont' want to travel with very young baby as our toddlers picked up bugs ont the way from the plane and we'd want to want till baby is at least three months and had its jabs (although think you can travel when bub is two weeks old but how uncomfy would that flight be? )
As long as this pregnancy fineyou should be ok (think they're only concerned if you have high blood pressure, twins, or have history of preterm labour, but have a word with your midwife or doc as they know you best). To be honest, just out of sheer discomfort I wouldn't leave it any later, depends on how you're feeling. We have no house nowehre to live in UK as we sold but are organsing short term rental on internet from here in UK and will register with docs when over there.
Only bad thing, no way could I get travel insurance that covers pregnancy past 26 weeks. UK travel insurance won't insure from there as you ahve to lived in uk for six months before taking them out AND have to be registered wtih UK doc. WE're going with covermore insurance which is jsut bog standard travel insurance and hoping nothing happens.

Re your landlord. We were on a 6 month and didnt' want to sign up again. Our landlord agreed to something called a periodic tenancy wehre you rent from month to month and only have to give two weeks notice. Ensure the landlord keeps getting money in and good for you too.

PS as others have said, you can organise a move at such short notice, removal companies quite keen to get business so will fit you in to come round for a quote and you can easily book it. I've had to do lists which are now hopefully all ticked off. If you need any extra help pm mexxx

Good advice. I found one of the hardest things, moving back was how difficult it is to re establish yourself without a long term address. Even a library card was tricky! btw, I recommend finding your local toy library, brilliant.

Thanks for all you reponses - we have taken it all on board. Update from me:

- Landlord wants a quick sale so no go there
- Hospital today said that they would have no problem signing a certificate for me to fly at 32 weeks
- Hubby handed notice in a work today
- I told my work that I want to start maternity leave on 29th May
- Handed notice in at one childcare (of two)
- Handed notice in for rental equipment (fridge, TV, washing machine)
- Passport interview booked for Thursday
- 4 Shippers contacted for quotes (first one came in way too high at $4700 for what we actually want to ship - expecting a quote nearer $3000)

Therefore all systems go for going back before the baby is born!

Word of warning for any fitness first members: hubby went to the gym today to try to cancel his membership and was told that it needs to be done on one of their forms (not just a written letter), and that she wasn't authorised to give them out, so he would have to make an appointment to see the person who was....... What a load of codswallop!

Jessie: Birth certificate can be obtained urgently in 1 hr if you go to the office. You are right about the UK passport though...hadn't looked into that. Guess it goes to show that you can't trust what people put up on their websites. I suppose the question is that we know you need an aussie passport to leave australia if you are a citizen, but do you also then need a UK to enter the UK if you are also a UK citizen, or can new bub enter on the aussie passport and apply for UK one at a later date? Not sure who could answer that?