Flying - how late?

[motherpeculiar]

currently almost 29 weeks pg with no.2. Feeling well, but do get a bit tired. Considering a short trip (2-3 days)to see friends in Budapest sometime in the next two -three weeks. Flight will be about 2 hours.

Questions:
a) how late in pg are you allowed to fly?
b) do you think I am barmy to even consider it?

thanks in advance

Mother Peculiar

[mrsflowerpot]

don't think you're barmy at all, sounds lovely.

Depends on the airline, you will have to check their policy. Think it's 32 weeks for most but you might need a doctor's letter to say you're fit for travel. When I went away when pg with ds, the travel insurance co said they would only cover me for pg related things up to 28 weeks, so you'd need to check that too I guess.

[handlemecarefully]

I'm pretty sure that you need a doctors note to show to airline / your holiday insurance people after around 24 weeks....

[scubamum]

I went away for 2 wks at 26wks - had letter (from MW) just in case airline wanted to see it (which they did on way out)

you will need to check with individual airlines and ensure you tell them if you do book anything - ours were 10hhrs flights to/from tobago and got an upgrade each way

insurance was an issue as most insured up to 28wks & I arrived back just after that - the AA covered later but can't remember up to how many wks

[motherpeculiar]

Thanks guys

I'll check with easyjet (would prob get away withit at checkin as DP says I don't look that pg with my voluminous poncho on - just fat I guess )and probably more importantly with the travel insurers. Hope they cover it, although it sounds doubtful.Not sure I could risk travelling without insurance as it'd be sods law something would go wrong and I don't think I'd be covered by E111 in Hungary.

Fingers crossed...

[LIZS]

Have a look here for info on their terms and conditions when flying in pregnancy.

[orangina]

I'm 27 wks pg and am flying away next week for a 2 week final pre-baby break....! Most major airlines require a letter from your doctor or mw for flying after 28 weeks, and they generally won't take you after 36 weeks. We're flying BA, and I'll have the letter, though I've often wondered if you SAID you were 25/26 wks when you were 27/28, who would challenge you? Scubamum is right about the insurance though.... our travel and health insurances WON'T cover me for any potential problems I have while away (out of the eec), so I'm having to buy an extra bit of insurance, though if you are within the EC, then your E111 should cover you (there is another thread going on about that at the moment, someone travelling to France v near their due date....). Budapest isn't too long a flight, I'm getting ready for 9 hours next week, but feel fine about it (so excited to see the sun, who cares?! )

[franch]

We've been invited to a wedding in the US when I'll be about 33-34 weeks - sounds like it might be a bit dodgy, for the return flight at least ... Feel terrible because DD's been asked to be a flower girl! Is it just because they're afraid we'll give birth mid-air? Even if I am strictly allowed I'm not sure if I should risk it ....

[orangina]

how pg are you now franch? I would say that if you are feeling fine, and the wedding is important to you, then go, but if you feel you are having to make yourself (if you see what I mean), then don't.... Also, if you get v. bad water retention, I think long flights aren't a great idea.... east or west coast? Careful of insurance, having a baby in the US will cost an arm and a leg otherwise. Best check that someone will insure you first. My insurance that I am getting to go on holiday between 28-30 weeks is from www.flexicover.co.uk. Hope that helps, and good luck!

[franch]

Great info orangina, thanks. Only 6 weeks now so thinking ahead Feel terrible at the mo but was fine in the 3rd trimester last time round. Would love to go but don't want to do anything foolish ...... plenty of time to think I suppose

[Tinker]

Yes, I'm flying when I'll be 27 weeks. Have wondered about lying, what would airline do? But travel insurance is the problem I guess. My annual one with Direct Line covers upto 28 weeks so am just in

[franch]

It's not far from New York

[orangina]

East cost is easier than west coast at least franch. How about you set yourself a deadline by which you should have replied to the wedding and booked your tickets, and see how you feel then? 6 weeks is a pretty horrible time, you're knackered and just hitting that terrible hormonal thing... I didn't want to do ANYTHING then.... If you can wait until you are (hopefully) blooming (!), it might feel like a more straightforward decision to make, and you'll know how your pg is going. Very impressed with your forward thinking though!

[biglips]

the latest is 28 weeks and you need a medical note from docs if youre flying.... when i was planning to go on hols last year when i was 26 weeks, i was ok flying out BUT flying back in i would be 28 weeks and i wouldnt be able to fly back in so i decided to go on a cruise instead and i had to fax my medical note to the cruise company where i booked my cruise or otherwise i wouldnt been able to go. some flights got different contracts like some only up to 28 weeks and some only 20 weeks, so you need to check it up.

[biglips]

and also the cruise co inc their travel ins in the price so some have travel ins and some dont.

[franch]

This is from the BA website:
"For uncomplicated single pregnancies, we restrict travel beyond the end of the 36th week, and for twins, triplets etc., beyond the end of the 32nd week. After your pregnancy has entered its 28th week, we ask that you carry with you a letter from your doctor or midwife, stating the pregnancy is uncomplicated and confirming the expected date of delivery. In this letter, your doctor should state that you are in good health, that they are happy for you to fly, and that (in their opinion) there is no reason why you cannot fly."

Having said that, I think I'm more worried about any potential risks than I am about what's allowed or not ...

[franch]

/link{http://www.babycentre.co.uk/refcap/6955.html/This} is also quite helpful

[franch]

Oh for goodness' sake! THIS!

[scubamum]

advice from MW & consultant, wear the flight socks, drink plenty of water, avoid caffine, do the leg/feet stretches, walk around and a asprin before the flight(get medical advice on the last bit, don't just take it from me!). ie all the things to avoid a blood clots and swellings

Also try and get an isle seat - drinking plenty of water and pregnancy don't go when you got to get past a sleeping elderly lady to get to the loo! On the way back I asked if I could have a seat with easy access, to be told it was already sorted and had a premium economy seat (instead of cattle class economy) - shame it could not be the beds in business (btw flew BA)

[moondog]

Check with the respective airline-each is slightly different and insurance costs (in the event of giving birth while on board!)depend on permission having been given.

I came out to Turkey at 24 weeks and flew back at 32 weeks (limit). Not that far (although 3 plane changes) but a very unpleasant experience esp. as was on my own with dd (3.5)

[motherpeculiar]

Thanks again all

found out I am NOT covered by travel insurance, BUT am covered by E111 in Hungary. Not sure whether this is enough or not, I guess it would cover me for any emergengies there, but not for getting home or any disasters with travel.

Would you let this put you off?

[biglips]

ask for a pregnancy travel ins, apparantly norwich union does them too.

[franch]

Just looked at norwich union site:

"We will not pay any claim for death, injury, illness or disability that results form any of the following:
...
b. Pregnancy or child birth if the baby is due during the period of insurance or within 12 weeks of the end of the period of insurance"

Flexicover says:

"What is not covered:
...
c. Cancellation because of pregnancy or childbirth, where the expected date of delivery is less than 8 weeks after Your Trip ends (or 16 weeks in the case of known multiple pregnancy), unless the pregnancy was confirmed after the date Your Policy or travel tickets for Your Trip were booked and the Cancellation is medically necessary"


If I'm going to be about 33 weeks, it sounds like I'll have trouble getting cover.

[motherpeculiar]

don't think I'm going to go after all

not covered by the insurance and have no time to sort out any further cover

we'll go in summer time when babe is a few months old instead - as long as friends can bear the imposition (it seems to become so much more when there are 4 of you rather than just 3 - although it's probably just cos that's what I've gotten used to)

thanks everyone for your helpful input

[orangina]

just got back from a mw appt before my flight on monday... definitely NO ASPIRIN she said, and she recommended the flight socks, no alchohol etc, move around a lot. The additional insurance I bought from www.flexicover.co.uk which I have bought just for my 12 day trip (28-30 weeks) has fully comprehensive cover for the pg thing.... might be worth checking it out. I just had to do a telephone medical screen (answered basic basic basic questions).... motherpeculiar, do you really think you can't go ? My extra insurance for 12 days is only £28......