At what point can you not go on an aeroplane?

[BunnyBoo]

Hi was just wondering at how far along in pregnancy you are allowed to fly?

We need to fly to Majorca when i will be 6 months to visit my sister is this poss?

TIA

[jessicaandbumpsmummy]

you will be fine at 6 months..... i think its 32-34 weeks. You may need a letter from your doctor to say you are fit to fly though as most airlines require one. Oh, and your doc may charge you for the privilege!!!

[spacecadet]

a lot of airlines dont let you fly after 28 weeks now as far as i know.

[BunnyBoo]

Thanks for that. How much do they charge, u must say that does not surprize me nothing is free in this world anymore (a few wink, winks, nudge, nudge may do the job) but i doubt when i will be 6 months pregnant

I know this is a silly question but flying can't harm the baby can it? and i will feel ok won't i?

[BunnyBoo]

May just get away with it then spacecadet! eekk

[jessicaandbumpsmummy]

my docs is £10 for a letter

not sure as i have never flown more than 6 weeks pregnant so no advice on how you will feel.

[Sari]

I'm flying on Thursday with Ryanair and coming back the following week when I'll be 32 weeks. They require a doctor's certificate after 28 weeks but you can fly up to 36 weeks. My doctor just wrote a note out on the hospital letterhead when I was there last week. No charge.

[BunnyBoo]

Thanks Sari thats great to hear,

I really do need this break is well, and my sis would be devastated as she wants to see ds!

[Chuffed]

llyods do travel insurance to 32wks too that covers your pregnancy.

[Distracted]

Check with the airline rather than pay for a doctor's letter first. BA require a doctor's letter after 28 weeks, but most airlines don't require this until 32 weeks.

I flew for work last year up to 32 weeks and did take a doctor's letter. Like Sari my GP just handwrote a letter on the surgery letterhead and didn't charge. He said if I wanted it typed up he would have to charge, but I didn't bother (and BA actually didn't ask to see it despite quizzing me each time I flew between 20-26 weeks).

[LeahE]

I know this is a silly question but flying can't harm the baby can it? and i will feel ok won't i?

The airlines not wanting to fly you is because they don't want you going into labour on board, not because of any specific danger to you or the baby.

You may get more swollen ankles (so factor in some resting-with-feet-up before and afterwards) and you'll want to make sure you drink plenty of water. And if you're as large as I was at 6 months you'll have fun navigating the toilet cubicle on the aeroplane, but other than that you should be fine (assuming no complications in your pregnancy).

[shhhh]

I didn;t fly at all while pregnant. I know you can upto about 28 ish weeks but I didn't mainly because I was worried in case I needed the hospital in an emergency.. Given my past I was worried something would give me a need to go to hospital. May be worth checking facilities and takes your notes with you.
You also need to be aware of thrombosis, when we asked my mw about it she advised me to keep active and to wear those leg supports things...
I was a worrier though throughout the whole 40 weeks !

[nervousmum2be]

I flew to Dublin and back at approx 20 weeks, but refused to fly any later than that (mainly due to my paranoia) and actually made DP cancel a pre-pregnancy booked holiday as it would have meant flying at 27 weeks! As previously mentioned, the cut-off point is only really there to minimise the risk of you going into labour, and all airlines are different.