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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be slightly annoyed re gp letter?

73 replies

rogersmellyonthetelly · 07/12/2012 12:55

Am flying to Disney paris on sunday, 30 weeks pregnant. Rang gp to arrange checkup so he could do letter to state I'm fit to fly, as per airline rules.
He doesn't need to see me apparently, as he can see everything he needs to know from my notes. I haven't seen a gp since 21 weeks for a chest infection.
I picked up said letter this morning, paid £20 for the priviledge. Opened it up and said, in 3 lines, that I'm having an uncomplicated pregnancy and he therefore considers me fit to fly. Thing is, I'm under consultant care because i have several high risk factors, borderline high bp at my last check last week, and they haven't seen my hand held notes which are very detailed!
Aibu to feel a) slightly ripped off that I have paid £20 for 3 line standard letter which will have taken approximately 2 minutes to amend to show my name, and probably about 5 minutes to check the limited amount of notes about my pregnancy that he actually has available to him?
B) slightly concerned that I'm getting on a plane without any idea of whether I'm actually fit to fly or not?

OP posts:
Lia87 · 07/12/2012 13:18

Personally i wouldn't risk it, sorry probably not what you want to hear, but i had a completely uncomplicated pregnancy, went into labour for no apparent reason at 31+6 weeks. The last thing you want with a premature baby in intensive care is to be worrying about travelling home once he/she is discharged and still smaller than a newborn. You don't wanna be stuck on a long flight with no way off if something goes downhill. I'm sure its most likely going to be fine, but just something to consider

AppleOgies · 07/12/2012 13:20

Errrmm what would you prefer... He lists your full pregnancy history and says you are not fit to fly?

Have you got health insurance. I'm not sure I'd travel at 30 weeks pregnant if I was 'high risk' and under consultant care.

bradyismyfavouritewiseman · 07/12/2012 13:21

The thing is, if he put all your conditions in the letter the airline may refuse anyway.

Ring the doctor to ask.

But YABU to be upset about the length of the letter.

Fakebook · 07/12/2012 13:22

Thing is, I'm under consultant care because i have several high risk factors, borderline high bp at my last check last week, and they haven't seen my hand held notes which are very detailed!

Confused. Do you want to go or not? If you know you suffer from high Bp then what did you want the doctors note for? Just don't fly. I can't understand what you're getting upset about. If they'd seen your notes they might not have let you fly, but I can't understand what you wanted out of the letter.

FoxyRevenger · 07/12/2012 13:22

Well it seems as if you think/know you're not fit to fly, so why are you asking for documentation to the contrary?
But yes, the GP should have actually checked into your case, although if he did that, it sounds as if you wouldn't be going anywhere.

Original poster
rogersmellyonthetelly · 07/12/2012 13:22

It's not a long flight, only 1.5 hours thankfully, but the alternative is 3 hour drive to ferry then 3 hour at least drive to Paris!

OP posts:
PatriciaHolm · 07/12/2012 13:23

Assuming you're in the UK, a flight to Paris is a really short hop, barely an hour - as soon as you're up you are coming down again! So unless you have any real reason to be concerned about early labour, I wouldn't worry. The note does sound cursory though, but there is pretty much zero chance of you giving birth on the flight which is all the GP is thinking about.

Shakey1500 · 07/12/2012 13:24

Got to ask, why have you booked if there was a risk you couldn't fly? Confused as in, why would you check before?

I don't know what's safe and what isn't regarding any conditions etc I'm afraid.

The price seems standard though.

MrsHoarder · 07/12/2012 13:24

Your gp isn't an expert in your pregnancy, that's why you see a consultant rather than a gp. He probably gets asked for letters from pregnant women dozens of times a year and takes the approach that you are adults capable of deciding for yourself when to fly. Certainly once you've paid for your holiday it suggests you are happy to go.

Does your condition mean spontaneous premature labour is more likely than usual?

AppleOgies · 07/12/2012 13:25

So what is the problem... If he puts that you're high risk under consultant care you probably couldn't go.

Do you want to go or not?

crikeybill · 07/12/2012 13:25

Hmm yes I can't quite work out what you want either ?
Presumably you want to go, so what your GP has said is adequate yes ??

However, if you have a several risk factors and are under care then should you be going at all ??

Are you saying, you want your GP to actually go through your paperwork and make a calculated decision based on your notes, which you have admitted will probably mean you cant/shouldnt fly ??

I suggest you just dont go frankly Confused

Fakebook · 07/12/2012 13:26

Still don't get it. You would've been annoyed if they had written you are unfit to fly/travel, but you're also annoyed they wrote you had an uncomplicated pregnancy. You didn't really need the note did you? You shouldn't have planned a trip when you knew how ill you were.

Original poster
rogersmellyonthetelly · 07/12/2012 13:28

I actually just wanted a medical opinion based on my history and all the information available, as to whether I'm actually fit to fly or not. I don't know if I am or not, not being a medical professional myself, I honestly don't know if the issues I have had in pregnancy will be negatively impacted by the flight, or could cause me/baby serious problems during the flight.
What I didn't expect is a note telling me I'm fit to fly when the gp hasn't even seen me in person, nor does he have the full information on which to base his opinion.
Bit like doing an mot and not lifting the bonnet.

OP posts:
Jingleflobba · 07/12/2012 13:29

You're GP may not have the information from the consultant on his files, it would depend on what the hospital has sent through to the surgery.
Just for info, I did Disneyland Paris last year at 27 weeks pg. Take comfy walking shoes and allow for rest stops. Don't know if you've ever been before but the place is huge!

Original poster
rogersmellyonthetelly · 07/12/2012 13:29

And yes, I would have been upset if I was told not to fly, but rather that than jeopardise the health of my baby and myself!

OP posts:
cassell · 07/12/2012 13:29

Why don't you just get the Eurostar if you're concerned about travelling? That's quick and far easier than driving. If you really want to fly and want to know the risks rather than just having a letter to show you can iyswim then speak to your consultant and see what s/he assesses the risk at.

YDdraigGoch · 07/12/2012 13:29

Driving isn't the only alternative. How about going by train - much less stressfull and will take you straight to Disneyland.

AppleOgies · 07/12/2012 13:30

He/she has given their medical opinion... You are fit to fly in the opinion of your doctor... What more do you want? Seriously!?

crikeybill · 07/12/2012 13:30

Yep agree with cassell go on the Eurostar !! Sorted ! Everyone wins Grin

bradyismyfavouritewiseman · 07/12/2012 13:31

So why did you book the flight if you have no idea if you are PG? Have you asked your consultant?

You didn't actually want a letter saying you are fit to fly, You wanted him to decide whether you are or not? Is that correct?

bradyismyfavouritewiseman · 07/12/2012 13:32

Been to disneyland paris twice. Eurostar is far better than flying.

Original poster
rogersmellyonthetelly · 07/12/2012 13:35

Flight only booked now I have the letter in my possession. Yes I did want a medical opinion on whether I am actually fit to fly or not. I could have knocked up the letter I have from the gp in 5 minutes myself and saved myself £20 otherwise!

OP posts:
AppleOgies · 07/12/2012 13:39

Okay... I really don't understand so I give up on this thread. This is how much the letters cost, this is pretty much what they all say, if you wanted your GP to write an essay and full case history trust me it would be a lot more thank £20.

They have given you their medical opinion, I'm not sure why it displeases you, either way enjoy your holiday.

bradyismyfavouritewiseman · 07/12/2012 13:42

but you are not happy with the letter. so why book?

honeytea · 07/12/2012 13:42

I didn't think you even needed a note till after 33 weeks?

I think a very short flight would be fine anyway, I have been on busses for longer than that, I'd think the trudging around a cold Disneyland would be worse for your blood pressure than the hour or so in the air.

Don't forget your European health card!