To avoid flying entirely during pregnancy?

[commuters30]

It's coming up to our anniversary, and it will be 16 weeks by the time we fly. We haven't booked anything yet.

We always go away every year at this time and it feels a nice break and change of scene as our last break before the baby is born, but feeling very anxious given it will be away from the local hospital and midwives and general home. Worried about risk of local food issues etc. Also the risk of miscarriage... (had one before)

AIBU to be tempted to entirely decide not to fly at all even though generally pregnant people do fly without issues?

I think it's entirely reasonable to cut out anything that you feel is a risk, when pregnant.

It's you that has to live with the consequences, even if it's a bout of indigestion or something swollen.

Are there any places you haven't been to in the UK, including Scotland that you'd like to see?

But if it's about being away from local hospital etc that's not just about flying is it? It's about not wanting to be away from home and the familiar things you associate with safety. There's nothing necessarily wrong with that but I think it would be better to be open about it with yourself and others.

Not unreasonable to not want to fly ....... however your post suggests flying being an issue along with being away from home, and local food concerns. So, suggesting you take the train to France or Belgium probably doesn't help either. Getting train or driving elsewhere in Uk still takes you away from home. You could fly to Inverness or Aberdeen however and probably get home quicker than driving / train from London depending where you are.

So still not unreasonable to be worried about all that ...... but get it straight in your mind what really worries you, otherwise you'll not be going anywhere.

You are right... it's more than just flying. We thought about Eurostar but it takes us a while to get there and then even with the flight once we land in some where like Paris it's a train away from any hotel.

Did anyone here fly during their pregnancy?

Totally fine to avoid things that make you feel worried or anxious during your pregnancy, it can be a very anxiety-inducing time. My DH and I went on holiday to Rome when I was 30 weeks pregnant, we had a wonderful time but I would say in hindsight I would have gone somewhere closer, I did have to deal with a lot of swelling because of the flight. But everyone's pregnancies are different, only do what you're comfortable with x

I flew about 4 times at 20 weeks and was fine. Just made sure to drink plenty of water and moved. We only flew in Europe so they were short flights.

Well yeah. Most people will have flown as normal during pregnancy if they wanted to fly. There is no risk to pregnancy in flying.

You can not fly ever again for any reason you like, environmental might be a good one, but your reasons here do suggest anxiety it might not be a good idea to entrench. There are hospitals everywhere, people have babies everywhere, wherever you are going pregnant women eat the local food 3 times a day every day.

Do you have preexisting issues with anxiety?

I've flown quite a lot during pregnancy including long haul to Australia and back, and shorter trips up to 32 weeks, all with medical approval, and have 4 healthy DC's, it's worked fine.

That said, if going away will make you really uncomfortable, and it's not a really important trip, then don't do it, it's important you feel ok about this.

What I would say though is that however you manage it, having a break together before the baby arrives is a really good thing. Having a baby often puts stress on even the strongest marriage (it can all come around, just in a bit of time!), and for many years to come your holidays will be greatly affected by what will suit a small person or potentially by budget. It's nice to have some time together first.

It’s fine to avoid flying while pregnant if your prefer to and it’s very understandable given your previous loss. I didn’t fly or go abroad during any of my pregnancies for similar reasons.

There are many wonderful places within the uk to visit (assuming you live here!). Which area are you based in and how far would you like to drive or take a train? I’m sure everyone here can help you plan a lovely holiday. Do you like visiting cities, beaches, countryside, historic places, museums, shops or a combination?

I think its fine to fly. Just go somewhere 'westernised' with good standards of hospitals and food etc. Generally any main city in west europe would be fine for helping anxiety.

Maybe somewhere like Berlin or Vienna.

I think you should do what feels right to you. I was really worried about flying when I was pregnant so we didn't fly anywhere.

Honestly? I wouldn't worry at all about flying during pregnancy. It's completely safe.
I'm not you though and if you won't enjoy yourself there's no point. You may regret not taking the chance when you have a toddler clambering all over you the next time you go away

I flew at 14 weeks and 32 weeks with my first dc...and was absolutely fine. Both flights were in Asia(we lived in China at the time), so for the second one when I was further along, we made sure that there was an accessible hospital, and it was only 2 hrs from where we lived at the time, so not a long flight anyway.

Yes I flew at 16 weeks pregnant and back at 18. Ds was fine. I have friends who flew at varying stages (from getting the bfp a few days before flight to pretty much up to the airlines limits in late pregnancy and all babies were fine).
Anxiety in pregnancy sucks though and I would do what feels right to you, whether that is not flying or fully researching food issues and local hospitals etc at your intended destination so you feel better about it.

I flew quite a lot during pregnancy and it was fine (bit uncomfortable on the later in pregnancy because I'm tall and airline seats are uncomfortable at the best of times). And every country you go to will have plenty of pregnancy going on and all the necessary maternity care. If you decide you don't want to go that's absolutely fine and totally your choice but if you do want to go take your notes, make sure have really comprehensive insurance and enjoy yourself

I flew at 7 weeks and back at 8 weeks. No issues.

I flew to and from Portugal at 16/17 weeks pregnant, and we are going to Crete when I will be 26/27 weeks pregnant.

Portugal was about a 4 hour flight, I snack for the plane from the airport (fruit pots, plain crisps and crackers & water - but that was because I'd had horrendous nausea and didn't want to risk eaten any "plain food" or just junk)
While at the resort I had simple breakfasts of mainly fruit and pastries (the occasional bacon and hash browns) lunches were things like ham and cheese toasties (just checked with staff on the type of cheese) or chicken salads (I found chicken to be an easy meat to order as it was always cooked through, never had the risk of it being rare)
Dinners were fish with vegetables & potatoes, lamb (well done) and steak (well done)
I also enjoyed lots of mocktails made with fruit juices, which were lovely and refreshing, and you don't wake up with a holiday hangover!

I think most hotels or resorts will have experienced pregnant guests before, so shouldn't have any problem catering to the dietary side, and they just want you to enjoy your holiday!

It was also lovely just to rest and relax, and enjoy being away

I'm 33 weeks and just flew solo with my toddler and it was fine, although I did not really want to do it but felt under family pressure to. We went on holiday about 20 weeks and flew a couple of times with my first. BUT
.. I honestly would say please don't think about what other people do and compare yourself as it's the serious thief of joy. I promised myself I wouldn't do it this pregnancy but I have and its shit as there is always someone who has done more and coped better and bla bla bla. Just do what makes you feel comfortable and happy.
Good luck!

I’ve flown to Australia in all my pregnancies and never had any problems, flying is perfectly safe but you need to do what is comfortable for you if it will stress you out don’t do it and just have a local break

I decided I didn't fancy flying while I'm pregnant, I know it's perfectly safe but I have PGP and am overweight and just didn't think I would be comfortable. We're going away in a month, I'll be 30/31 weeks and we're staying in the UK, got a good deal on a caravan trip. I'm really looking forward to it.

I flew at 32 weeks (for work) and was made to feel like a VIP. I didn't ask for any special treatment but I was ushered into the express queues and generally found the airport and airline staff were super. I didn't have any of the worries that you're describing though. If you're too worried, just go for a more local break where you can be reassured it would be easy to get home.

Flying during pregnancy is totally harmless and 16 weeks is a great time for a holiday. I would really encourage you to think through your unfounded fears and try to get past them. Baby-free holidays are one of the things I most miss now (pregnant with 3rd). If anything I wish I’d gone long haul and really pushed the boat out when pregnant. It’ll be years before you have a truly relaxing holiday again (especially if you have more kids).

We went to Lanzarote when I was 22 weeks. It was so boring 🤣 I wish I'd saved my money!

Don’t travel if it will make you stressed, but you won’t come to any harm if you do. If it makes you feel better then you can book somewhere near a hospital and with good transport. We went to the Canaries and to the US when I was pregnant (15-17 weeks in the canaries, 26-29weeks to US)
Just take your notes, drink plenty and move around lots / wear flight socks if long haul
The only downside was the tray tables wouldn’t go past my bump easily on the way home a bit of air sickness but that’s probably due to turbulence!
If you can afford to pay for extra legroom etc you’ll appreciate it!
I found it lovely & a great excuse to read books, snooze lots and have time with my husband- because you won’t have so much pretty soon!
I did miss the holiday drinking but had ice cream instead!

Agree with cressida. It doesn’t come across as though you’re making that decision based on any facts about risk, or because you have some previous experience which would explain an irrational worry about flying in particular. It comes across more as anxiety based, with flying being the current worry.