Flying short haul at 30 weeks pregnant.

[forevercurious]

I am due to fly to France from the UK soon when I shall be 30 weeks pregnant (first pregnancy, no complications) I hadn’t really given it much thought but now the time is getting closer I’m starting to worry about the whole situation. My main concern is that I’m going to go into early labour, although I have absolutely no logical reason to think this! I’m also yet to sort out travel insurance.

Can anyone share their experiences of flying at this stage of pregnancy or good travel insurance companies to use. Thankyou :)

I flew twice weekly (flight of about 1.5 hours) until I was 36 weeks and my airline wouldn’t let me! The chances you going into active labour in one hour at 30 weeks must be negligible in a normal pregnancy...?

DP and I flew to Iceland when I was 34 weeks pregnant. Had to have a letter from the doctor but all was fine. Everyone said I wasn’t nuts but it was a really lovely relaxing trip. Just what I needed.

I was 34 weeks (ish) when I flew whilst pregnant. The chances of you going into labour and giving birth within the time of the flight is slim and even if you did start having contractions you can still talk through the early ones and carry on as normal. IME you will find everyone is 10x more helpful than normal.

Your travel insurance will be invalid

If anything happens you’d have to stay in France until you and your baby were well enough to come home by your own steam.

I know this as my sister went to Spain at 26 weeks and had her babies at 27 weeks. What a Fucking nightmare.

Thanks for the quick replies. I’m more worried about going into labour in France than on the flight but we will only be there for 3/4 days. I think my anxiety is just at play with the whole situation tbh!

Re: the travel insurance I’m going to speak on the phone to some companies and check im definitely covered - google suggests you don’t have to declare a risk free pregnancy as it’s not a medical condition but I’d rather the insurance people know.

It’s reassuring to read that others have flown successfully past 30 weeks.

@Sadandwontvoteagain

Your travel insurance will be invalid

How do you know this? Have you seen OP's policy

I know this as my sister went to Spain at 26 weeks and had her babies at 27 weeks.

You know what happened to your sister. Not what happens in every case.

You can’t get travel insurance if you’re past 26 weeks if you are having a single and it’s 23 weeks if you have twins.

It’s in the fine print in pretty much all insurance policies.

And there are enough sad face articles in the daily mail etc where people have had their babies overseas and then not been able to pay for their medical bills or get repatriated.

Why would you even risk it?

Personally at 30 weeks I would go and wouldn't give it a second thought. At 34 weeks I would think about it a bit more but would probably still go. Healthcare in France is second to none so even if you went into labour it would all be fine in that respect. I'm not 100% certain but I think ehic would cover a fair chunk of any emergency costs anyway and there is no stipulation on travelling in pregnancy as far as I know, not at 30 weeks anyway. Somewhere further afield where medical resources are not great yes I'd worry more but in France I wouldn't

I had valid travel insurance at 33 and 34 weeks with two previous pregnancies.
I did need a fit to fly letter from my doctor, but that was all. Enjoy your trip!

I flew to New Zealand at 30 weeks pregnant from the uk, just had a note from my doctor and spoke to my insurance company - all was good!

Of course you can get travel insurance - insureandgo, for example, cover single premature birth until end of 32 weeks and to term if caused by an unexpected complication. It's easy to get.

At 30 weeks with an uncomplicated pregnancy, i would go. In fact I was still travelling for work in Europe at that point.

Bollocks, you can get travel insurance relating to birth before 32 weeks and then for complications (but not normal delivery) up to 40 weeks, and with a tailored insurance you probably can get better cover.
As always, read the fine print and make sure it covers what you need. I'd advise a more comprehensive cover than usual so will cost a bit more but better than being stuck in Spain with prem babies.

@Sadandwontvoteagain

You can’t get travel insurance if you’re past 26 weeks if you are having a single and it’s 23 weeks if you have twins

Of course you can.

It’s in the fine print in pretty much all insurance policies

Have you read ALL insurance policies .

And there are enough sad face articles in the daily mail etc where people have had their babies overseas and then not been able to pay for their medical bills or get repatriated.

Mostly because of people not taking adequate cover. It IS available.

I will definitely be getting comprehensive travel insurance but when using comparison sites there is no option to add pregnancy?

Can anyone recommend companies they have used that cover past 30 weeks? I’m also getting a fit to fly note from my midwife :)

For those debating travel insurance, a quick google shows that Admiral cover pregnancy up to 40 weeks & you don’t have to tell them you’re pregnant but do have to declare any medical conditions relating to the pregnancy such as diabetes to ensure they're fully covered.

First time attaching a photo, hope it works properly.

Just a little update if anyone is having wobbles / needing advice in the future relating to this issue:

I have safely returned from my weekend away, my midwife gave me a fit to fly note that was not needed & I was covered by Admiral travel insurance. It cost around £10 for us as a couple, even once I’d declared low iron due to the pregnancy.

The actual flying was fine but I was very uncomfortable with my back and personally would not have wanted to have flown at any later stage. We had two long days of travelling and that really took its toll on me.

overall I’m glad I went but would probably not fly so late in my pregnancy in any future pregnancies!