Flying at 22 weeks

[18yearsoftrying]

Safe or not please? Would you fly long haul?

I thought it was safe but having told friends I have booked a week in the Caribbean at 22 weeks, I'm received a barrage of abuse basically telling me I'm being naive & jeopardising my situation.

If I need to cancel, I will...am I being silly to travel?

[flymo79]

I would speak with your midwife - they are unlikely to say it's not safe. Your airline will perhaps need a letter and you will need to make sure you have the right insurance etc. Oh, and just move about a lot on the plane and drink loads of water (I mean LOADS). Congratulations! and have a lovely hol.

[splendide]

Sounds fine to me, in fact I am flying back from France (so only short haul) at 22 weeks and it hadn't occurred to me to worry at all.

[ChicaMomma]

go!!! 20-28 weeks is the best time for long haul i was told..

i am just back from Easter in Spain- i'm 32 weeks- nwo i know it's only a 2.5 hour flight, but i had no issues at all! had a great time!!

[JBrd]

If you feel well and there are no underlying medical issues, there is no reason why you shouldn't travel. Discuss it with your midwife, she's best qualified for questions like that. Will you need any vaccinations?

You might need a 'fit to fly' certificate from your doctor, depending on who you fly with, and do check the airline's rules on until when they will allow you to fly with them (they vary wildly between companies).
Travel insurance is vital, and check the small print if they cover pregnancy - many don't!

Make sure you stay hydrated during the flight, that you move around lots and flight socks are advisable. High factor SPF, as you burn more easily when pg.

And most importantly, enjoy

[madwomanbackintheattic]

No problem at all. I flew long haul up to 32 weeks in two pgs, and short haul frequently.

[Weegiemum]

I flew to west Coast Canada (Vancouver) when I was 23 weeks with dd2, no bother. And to Spain at 32 weeks with ds (though I needed the seatbelt extender that time!!)

[PuppyMummy]

What are they saying the problems will be? nhs info says safe to fly during second trimester.

I flew (although short haul) around Europe at 27 weeks. no problems at all.

If your worried check with your midwife (mine just said check with the airline!) and make sure you have travel insurance. I also took my notes, just in case.

[splendide]

I'm going with Easyjet and they need a certificate from 27 weeks but I'm sure it varies.

[evertonmint]

I am a veteran of pregnancy flying - several flights in each pregnancy, the latest I flew in each was to Egypt at 28 weeks with DC1, St Lucia at 22 weeks with DC2, Antigua at 18 weeks with DC3.

I was fit and well, all uncomplicated pregnancies. I got a GP's letter before the second trimester flights to say so in case the airline asked (they didn't). I also felt this would also be helpful for insurance purposes should something happen.

The harsh reality is, at 22 weeks, no hospital anywhere in the world is likely to be able to save your baby if something happened. So the people saying you are jeopardising things are definitely talking nonsense.

Although I travelled abroad at 28 weeks with DC1, following a friend having her baby abroad at 29 weeks I would be unlikely to travel so late again (he is fine 3 years later by the way - but they needed that GP letter and I saw first hand how awful a premature birth in a foreign country with added admin of repatriation etc. is so it has left me personally a little wary of late flying). But pre-24 weeks I certainly have no worried about doing it. Also on a much less serious note, flying long haul at 22 weeks was comfortable but flying even mid-haul at 28 weeks wasn't so much!

Do wear flight socks though - you are at greater risk of DVT so these are really sensible. Do move around a lot and keep hydrated as others have said. And stay in the shade more, drink lots and use high SPF when you are there.

Have fun!

[splendide]

While we're on the subject, did anybody get special travel insurance? As far as I can see normal insurance is ok.

[evertonmint]

Also make sure you take your maternity notes and find out details of which is the best hospital/clinic to contact should you have any concerns.

[evertonmint]

Normal insurance should be fine - most cover pregnancy-related issues including medical repatriation if you give birth abroad - but you should just check that they do offer this sort of cover and get it if not.

[nyldn]

I flew to the Caribbean and back at 20-22 weeks and it was fine! a little uncomfortable on my lower back, but really not a big deal. if you're feeling well and haven't had any complications, I don't see what the issue would be. get flights socks, drink a lot of water and get up and walk around mid flight. and have a fab hols!

[KeepSmiling83]

Is it safe to fly before 12 weeks? We are about to TTC but have 2 European holidays booked so if we were lucky I may be pregnant for one or both of them. I have one DD and flew before I knew I was pregnant with her (we tested the day after we got home from a boozy holiday!) but not sure what the advice is?

[18yearsoftrying]

Ahh thankyou to you all

I've been crying all afternoon.

The meds are already in my system as I do long haul annually.

I did check with the airline before booking & they ok'd it & I have insurance in place.

I'm just so disappointed in everyones reaction Yes ok it took me 18 years to get to this part & I just thought that it'd benefit me more to have a week in the warmth not doing the usual physical chores such as dog-walking & cleaning.

It goes without saying that i'd be conscious of heatstroke & what I eat.

They all made me feel selfish & like I'm being a bad Mummy already

Thankyou to you all for your advice & replying to my post.

[madwomanbackintheattic]

It will be fabulous - have a great time!

[ChicaMomma]

Keepsmiling, I am carrying a honeymooon baby- so at 3 weeks pregnant i had 3 flights (unwittingly). I certainly wouldnt put your plans on hold because you are TTC. I flew again (albeit only Dublin- Heathrow) when i was 7 weeks.. and again (Dublin - Malaga) at 13 weeks.. I dont know what the 'official' line is mind you- but it did me no harm, flying quite a lot in the first trimester.

[KeepSmiling83]

ChicaMomma, thank you very much! The NHS website says its safe to fly but a lot of people say to avoid it in the first 12 weeks in case of miscarriage. I don't know if that was based on anything though!

[Heatherbell1978]

Go!! If we could afford it, I'd be jetting off to SE Asia right now for a last gasp holiday (I'm 24 weeks) but we'll be doing something short-haul instead. Your friends don't know what they're talking about. After about 28 wks you need a fit to fly note but only because the airlines don't want you going into labour on the flight. The actual process of flying doesn't harm your baby in the slightest. You might find it uncomfortable but I'm sure it'll be worth it!

[18yearsoftrying]

I have the privilege of flying business class for free which I know is very fortunate.

I guess I'm just surprised at my friends reactions - maybe it's because they know this is the furthest I've got in baby-making for almost 2 decades.

Thankyou for not doubting me or making me feel worse.

[VaselineOnToast]

I'm going to Spain soon and I'll be 19 weeks. A colleague of mine has just returned from Spain and she's 23 or 24 weeks pregnant. I've never heard any advice against travelling in the second trimester, unless you have particular complications.

Many insurers will not cover you past 28 weeks, however, but you won't have to worry about that.

Like others have said, just make sure to take care of yourself, move around on the flight, get some flight socks, keep yourself hydrated (I've heard that it's maybe best to stick to bottled water).

[IwishIwasmoreorganised]

Have a great time.

I went to Mexico when I was 24 weeks pg with ds1 and flew home at 26 weeks.

I wore flight stockings and took junior aspirin for a week before flying (on the advice of my MW), drank plenty of water and moved around during the flight.

I used gallons of sun cream while we were there and we had an amazing trip. I couldn't dive, but I did some amazingly relaxing snorkelling!

[ClaretAndBlue30]

Go and enjoy yourself!!!

I've flown at 6wks, 9wks and will shortly be off again at 18wks - my midwife and doctor both positively encouraged it, just telling me to wear flight socks, drink lots of water and move around plenty. I also called my insurer to check id be covered.

For the question about 1st trimester - I think the advice on not flying in your first trimester is purely as you may well feel rough (definitely the case for me!) and should the worse happen you might want to be in the comfort of your own home. There's no evidence of flying causing any problems though.

As far as second trimester flying, I couldn't agree with what everyone else says more - go go go!!! You'll have a lovely time.

What I've learnt so far in pregnancy is that people have all sorts of ignorant opinions, most of which are nonsense. It can be unnerving to be 'judged' but trust in your choices.

Have a fabulous holiday

[ChicaMomma]

God, i am clearly out on my own on teh complete lack of concern at flying at 32 weeks- never even dawned on me that it was a risk. Now it was only a 2.5 hour flight but i dont see the big deal.. i did however check out maternity hospitals in the area (Marbella)- and as luck would have it there was one with a W.H.O. 'materno infantil' accreditation. I was half hoping i'd go into labour over there.. no such luck :)

OP, i really hope you go, even my 5 days in spain had a fantastic effect on my well being. I slept like a log, swam a lot, and generally chilled out.