12hr flight to Mauritius when 16 weeks pregnant?

[Puppyandbaby]

Hi -

We’ve got a holiday to Mauritius planned in Jan when ill be 16 weeks. I’ve been told by the doctors that flying isn’t a risk, and I know I should walk around & drink lots, wear compression socks etc, but just want to understand if anyone else has done this before? If so, how did you manage insurance/the flight? I have no idea what I’ll feel like at that point as this is my first pregnancy!

[Celticlassie]

It's not greatly comparable re flight length but I flew to Tenerife when I was 16 weeks pregnant with my first and the insurance said I didn't even have to let them know, unless I had a pregnancy related illness. I'd not worry too much about it.

[BayBeeSham]

Hey puppy! Fear not, follow the precautions you listed and you will be fine x I flew loads when pregnant with DD1 and she is just fine. Take your hand held notes just in case and call your insurer to let them know you are pregnant. Easy. It was no extra charge for my travel insurance. Enjoy the trip!

[ISeeTheLight]

It depends on your pregnancy. I was extremely nauseous up to 30 or so weeks so couldn't have managed, but if you don't have that it should be fine. But then other people get SPD and things and it would be very painful for them. That said I would think for the majority of pregnancies it would be fine, get decent insurance and if you do end up with HG, SPD or something else, they should pay back the cost of the holiday.
Don't go with anything underwritten by UK insurance as they almost never pay out (experience from several friends). Something like LV is probably better but make sure you read the policy booklet properly to see if (pre existing) pregnancy is covered.

[Fluckle]

I did 11 + 3 hours at about 18 weeks with DD and was absolutely fine. I had horrendous morning sickness and, weirdly, being in another time zone seemed to really help! The heat affected me more than I expected, I didn't fancy sunbathing but was quite happy under a parasol, and bizarrely mosquitos ignored me, when I'm usually their favourite meal. All in all though had no issues.

[Puppyandbaby]

Thank you! Really helpful

[Puppyandbaby]

Did you use repellent at all?

[Puppyandbaby]

Thanks - luckily I bought insurance earlier this year & have checked that pregnancy isn’t counted as injury/illness and no need to let my insurer know unless there are complications (of which there is a lot covered!) phew.

[chilledteacher]

I did 14 hours to Thailand via Malaysia at 20 weeks. Get yourself a large empty reusable water bottle. As soon as you get on the Plane ask cabin crew to fill it up for you, aim to drink at least 3 full bottles over the course of the flight (as well as the ones that come round). Hydration is key!! Ask for an aisle seat (you'll be making friends with the toilet). You might also need to let them know at check in, I had to sign a disclaimer for each plane including connecting flights both ways. Good luck!! :)

[ZsaZsaMc]

I did exactly this last year (first baby too!) 16 weeks pregnant to Mauritius.

Was absolutely fine, I just got up and walked a bit more on the flight - didn’t actually feel any different but was just more conscious that it was what I ‘ought’ to be doing.

I’d gotten over the crippling tiredness of the first trimester too at that point. Also wore my baby on board badge at airport and getting on the plane

[Namechanger55555]

I flew to Mauritius at 16 weeks pregnant myself
However we had a horrid stop over at Dubai for 4 hours in-between.

It was totally fine. A little more tiring than perhaps it would have been not pregnant. But 16 weeks is the easiest part of pregnancy generally. Morning sickness starts to get better and you aren't too big so walking and carring things isn't too difficult.
Have a lovely time

[Namechanger55555]

P.s. insurance was just like normal holiday insurance. But check at the time of booking.

[Puppyandbaby]

Thankyou so much Zsa & Namechanger! Really reassuring knowing someone has done exactly this. Ours is a direct flight, will definitely make it known that I’m pregnant when in airport/on flight if I’m not showing clearly by then.

Also thanks Chilledteacher - great tip about empty water bottle! Hopefully the air staff will know/notice I’m pregnant and not think I’m being too demanding for no reason! (Will miss my onboard free wine though)

[Thetigerwhocameto]

Good luck! We did Australia for a couple of weeks 12-15 weeks pregnant. The flights were fine! I did experience a little bit of bleeding on completion of the flights both ways, but when I spoke to the doctor about it when getting home he said not to worry too much as it wasn’t a significant enough amount to cause concern. He was obviously correct as our 6 month old DD is soundly asleep in her room as I type 😊

[PBobs]

I've just done two 9+ hour return flights with a 4 day break inbetween. I was 10 weeks. Was fine. Have an 18 hour return flight planned for 24 weeks. You'll be fine. I do carry an updated doctor's note. It's just in case I start chucking my guts up and they think I've got some infectious bug. Hahaha. I don't have nausea but you never know. Loads of water is essential. And some walking around. Enjoy your holiday!! Mauritius is super and so relaxing.

[PBobs]

Oh! Totally forgot I also have a 12+ hour return trip planned for 15 weeks(ish). More holidays. Yeay!

[MooseBeTimeForSnow]

I was roughly 16 weeks pregnant when I emigrated to Canada. I wasn’t aware that I was (erratic periods).
Admittedly I was flying Business, but treated it like any normal flight.

All was fine.

[Unicyclethief]

Flying in the second trimester has the least risk anyway. I flew right through my pregnancies (work, visiting DH, visiting family- long and short haul) All was fine.

[Starfish28]

I’m sure you will be fine. As others have said stay hydrated, move around and try to get an aisle seat. I lived and/or worked overseas during my pregnancies so travelled up to 34 weeks pregnant (the later trimester travel was to go back to the UK to have my first baby. I can honestly say I was fine on every flight. But you may feel less able to cope with the heat once you are there.

[memaymamo]

I did Frankfurt to Bangkok at 33 weeks. I was limited for travel insurance because of being so far along but I did find one in the end. I researched the best hospitals and doctors near our hotel just in case.

It was all fine of course though I didn't get a wink of sleep on the flight.

[TitusAndromedom]

I did two trips to America and back when I was just over twenty weeks. The advice from my midwife was to get a good pair of compression socks, stay well hydrated and walk around regularly. It was absolutely fine. I do struggle with heartburn during pregnancy, though, so would definitely recommend having remedies for that available if you think you might experience the same. It’s really miserable being without when you’re in the air, and 16 weeks is around the time it kicks in for me. I’ve never had it when not pregnant.

[SSRainbow]

I flew to America and back at 16 weeks with my son on my lap, feeling very nauseous and I don’t fly well! Almost decided not to go but was worth it. You’ll have to walk round more, drink lots of water and try to sleep!x