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Original poster

Didn't realise I needed a fit to fly letter. Flying Tuesday.

21 replies

Lizbiz89 · 23/07/2023 19:37

So I'm flying on Tuesday and I'll be 27 weeks, when I fly home I'll be 30 weeks. I had no idea until today that I needed a fit to fly letter after 28 weeks. I thought it was only if you were 34 weeks plus. I've seen that private online gps will do one for £50 and I was wondering if anyone else has done this? This is my third pregnancy and I'm low risk. All my babies have been born at full term. I have no idea what to do as I've heard gps won't sign one. Any advice would be appreciated.

OP posts:
chocolateisavegetable · 23/07/2023 19:45

I believe it varies by airline - have you checked it’s definitely a requirement for the airline you’re using?

breathequietly · 23/07/2023 19:46

You also need to check insurance. Some don't insure past 28 weeks as standard so may need additional cover

Hopesakiller · 23/07/2023 19:49

Have you seen your midwife recently, call and speak to them

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Families
AFingerofFudge · 23/07/2023 19:51

Your midwife should be able to issue one to you.

turquoisediamond · 23/07/2023 19:58

Just pop to the midwife. Mine signed mine no probs for free. What airline are you flying with? Ryan air is from 28 weeks and they have a form on their website but Jet2 is much later I think from 32.

Original poster
Lizbiz89 · 23/07/2023 20:01

@turquoisediamond yeah I've just printed off the form and will ring the midwife tomorrow. Praying they will sign it off tomorrow so I can fly Tuesday with no added issues. Visiting my dad and grandma who I haven't seen in a year so obviously keen to get on that plane with no problems.

OP posts:
balatonbumm · 23/07/2023 20:05

Have you got a baggy coat or cardigan and a long, loose scarf? I flew (very short haul) at that stage and was never asked for my fit to fly letter Don't underestimate how little attention staff will pay, they are busy.

balatonbumm · 23/07/2023 20:06

Obviously not advocating this without full disclosure or checking of insurance though!

Original poster
Lizbiz89 · 23/07/2023 20:12

@balatonbumm I must admit I did think this 🤣. I'll ring my midwife tomorrow and see if I can get this form signed and then go from there. I must admit I've always been very naive and thought that as long as your pregnancy was uncomplicated you could fly anytime before 36 weeks.

OP posts:
MittensForKittens123 · 23/07/2023 20:17

I flew at 32ish weeks last year, had a big bump, and I’d been panicking over the fit to fly letter. Like others here I didn’t get asked at all!

Ladyj84 · 23/07/2023 20:23

Lizbiz89 · 23/07/2023 20:01

@turquoisediamond yeah I've just printed off the form and will ring the midwife tomorrow. Praying they will sign it off tomorrow so I can fly Tuesday with no added issues. Visiting my dad and grandma who I haven't seen in a year so obviously keen to get on that plane with no problems.

Make sure you have the right health insurance should heaven forbid you need it

Confusion101 · 23/07/2023 21:20

breathequietly · 23/07/2023 19:46

You also need to check insurance. Some don't insure past 28 weeks as standard so may need additional cover

I was coming here to say this too! Please check this before you go. If something happened abroad, you could be liable for the entire cost.

Original poster
Lizbiz89 · 23/07/2023 21:31

So I've just checked my travel insurance and basically I'm covered as long my midwife has signed me off. Better get phoning my midwife tomorrow then!

OP posts:
dramalamma · 23/07/2023 22:14

Your midwife should be able to do it but please do get one - I've been asked more than once - including once at 20 weeks when I got hauled out of a queue in a German airport and nearly missed my flight because I couldn't prove how far along I was.... though did realise afterwards I had a scan picture on my phone!! You could be lucky hiding under a cardi if you didn't have one but equally you could not be!

fartfacenotfatface · 23/07/2023 22:19

Lizbiz89 · 23/07/2023 21:31

So I've just checked my travel insurance and basically I'm covered as long my midwife has signed me off. Better get phoning my midwife tomorrow then!

Please check that the insurance would also cover the baby if born early and not just your care. Some do not.

Original poster
Lizbiz89 · 23/07/2023 22:22

@fartfacenotfatface they say they cover pregnancy and childbirth so yes they cover both.

OP posts:
Beignet · 23/07/2023 22:42

Lizbiz89 · 23/07/2023 22:22

@fartfacenotfatface they say they cover pregnancy and childbirth so yes they cover both.

It should include, pregnancy, childbirth AND neonatal care if required. I really would ring to check. If the baby came prematurely, you'd be in huge debt

fartfacenotfatface · 23/07/2023 22:47

Lizbiz89 · 23/07/2023 22:22

@fartfacenotfatface they say they cover pregnancy and childbirth so yes they cover both.

Yes but double check that the baby is covered as a separate person. Many policies state that they cover pregnancy and childbirth but they only mean that YOU are covered for medical costs incurred during pregnancy and childbirth but may not cover the costs of care for the baby once it's no longer inside you.
Worth a phone call to double check as a baby born at 27-30 weeks will need NICU care and cannot fly home until they reach term, even in a medical evacuation flight.

monpetitlapin · 23/07/2023 22:48

Lizbiz89 · 23/07/2023 22:22

@fartfacenotfatface they say they cover pregnancy and childbirth so yes they cover both.

Yeah but that's your insurance for you and your childbirth. Usually that doesn't cover the baby. The alternative doesn't bear thinking about. There was a couple who got stranded in Singapore (on a layover, they weren't even visiting) for ages because the woman went into premature labour at about 26 weeks and the baby's NICU bill was over £100,000 and the hospital wouldn't discharge the child until the bill was paid. I don't know what the outcome was, it was about 5 years ago.
It's really not that uncommon for people to get stranded abroad due to NICU bills. You need bombproof insurance.

Original poster
Lizbiz89 · 24/07/2023 10:44

Update - midwife wouldn't do it so I spoke to the gp and they're signing it today. Cost £60 but worth it just for the insurance side of things!

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