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Conception

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See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Original poster

Better to travel heavily pregnant or with a 1 month old?

60 replies

Rlar105 · 22/07/2021 21:02

Hi there,

This is a bit of a funny one!

My other half and I are talking about trying for baby number 2 and we already have a gorgeous 8 month old. The only thing is, my sister is getting married in Greece next year and we want to avoid not being able to go (as in me being too pregnant to travel)!

The question id like to put out there is, is it easier to travel to Greece with a one month old or 35 weeks pregnant?

We will have an 19 month old with us too. Another thing to note is our son will either be 19 months or 20 months when the new baby is born (I should note we are thinking of having 3 kids and I'll be 35).

Any thoughts an opinions are all welcome!

Many thanks,

Rachel

OP posts:
Softleftpowerstance · 22/07/2021 21:05

You need to get MN to move this. You’re posting under the abortion topic. (And being way too optimistic about conception)

littleselda · 22/07/2021 21:12

You can't fly at 35 weeks? Not many airlines would allow you to fly past 35/36 weeks

MNHQ
RivkaMumsnet · 22/07/2021 21:14

Hi there OP, we've moved this to our Conception topic, where we hope you'll get some more responses.

BendingSpoons · 22/07/2021 21:24

Both options carry risk. You could have a premature baby born abroad or an overdue baby who is 2 weeks old. I don't know if you could guarantee a passport for the baby in that time frame.

In terms if ease, I would think it would be more fun with a newborn than heavily pregnant, but I got lucky with well babies who fed easily. (And less lucky with pregnancy). You could still be under midwife care at that point. Can you not just wait a month or two longer?

PeonyTime · 22/07/2021 21:24

Check the rules on weeks to fly - 36 is usually an absolute cut off, with many airlines having g a lower cut off. You would also need a medical note to fly, and any issues could prevent you flying. Typically, flying before 29 weeks us preferred.

You may not get a passport in time for a 1 month old to fly (2 weeks late, get birth certificate, then apply for passport). I dont know what the rules are about flying after a c-section, if that was the way the birth happened.

I dont think either is ideal, and both could end up with you needing to cancel.

Crunchiedelight · 22/07/2021 21:26

I wouldn’t do either, sounds hellish to me. 2 under 2 also brutal. I’d wait a few more months and aim to be less pregnant when your sister gets married.

Aquamarine1029 · 22/07/2021 21:27

The airlines may not even allow you to fly, and personally I think you would be mad to travel abroad so heavily pregnant. It's just irresponsible, imo.

NerrSnerr · 22/07/2021 21:28

I wouldn't do either. If heavily pregnant are you allowed to fly? Could you get a passport in time? What if there are complications?

TrashKitten10 · 22/07/2021 21:36

Neither of the options are ideal at all but it's all speculative anyway, it might take months to fall pregnant, you might be pregnant but not well enough to fly or travel restrictions might not allow travel to Greece by then anyway. So try for a baby when the time feels right and cross any bridges as you get to them would be my advice.

BigPyjamas · 22/07/2021 21:38

I doubt you'd be allowed to fly at 35/36 weeks.

I also know you are unlikely to get a passport in time. Factoring in time for birth registration, then photos, application and processing etc.

And finally, you're perhaps being optimistic in assuming an immediate conception.

So in summary, I'd delay and wait a few more months.

Whatelsecouldibecalled · 22/07/2021 21:39

I’m intrigued to know how you know that you fall pregnant so quickly unless maybe using fertility treatment and hoping it works. Either way good luck.

Personally I would put it off a bit and travel when less pregnant

Original poster
Rlar105 · 22/07/2021 21:39

Oh my gosh so sorry for posting under wrong thread I didn't mean to! I don't post on this often at all.

Sorry in response to 2 under 2, I definitely want 2 under 2. I'd like to have children close in age and am aware it will be extremely tough, but I'm up for the challenge.

I think you're right about both not being ideal and potentially not being able to go.... do you mind me asking have any of you travelled to a hot country with a newborn before? That's my main worry.

Yea I think airlines let you travel a short flight up to 35 weeks pregnant but that does worry me more.

I understand things may and probably will inevitably not go to plan, but if I can somewhat judge it then at least I've tried!

OP posts:
Original poster
Rlar105 · 22/07/2021 21:40

@Whatelsecouldibecalled

I’m intrigued to know how you know that you fall pregnant so quickly unless maybe using fertility treatment and hoping it works. Either way good luck.

Personally I would put it off a bit and travel when less pregnant

I don't really know to be fair! We were lucky enough to fall pregnant after two weeks of trying the first time but who knows! We've received mixed reviews for the second baby. Some say you get pregnant quicker some say it takes a lot longer so don't put off trying! :/
OP posts:
EasterIssland · 22/07/2021 21:41

None
You won’t be allowed to fly as many say
Also with one month you will be adjusting. What if childbirth goes wrong and you’re still recovering would you like to go to a weeding in Greece ?

ArtfulScreamer · 22/07/2021 21:44

My DS was born 6 weeks ago we aren't registering him until next week as this was the earliest available appt. He was 3 weeks early and we'd had a holiday booked for the middle of May which was cancelled but I would've been ok to go on however if I was to have a holiday booked for tomorrow I'd be dreading going on it. For me I'd rather travel pregnant but I do have quite easy straight forward pregnancies.

trunumber · 22/07/2021 21:52

I took DS somewhere hot when he was 4 months. It was hell, we spent the entire time chasing shade and often barely leaving the air conditioned apartment. No way I would have done it with a new born

notimagain · 22/07/2021 21:57

Yea I think airlines let you travel a short flight up to 35 weeks pregnant

Depends on the airline, but it’s often a blanket ban at 35 or 36 weeks regardless of the length of the flight.

PeonyTime · 22/07/2021 22:01

Dont forget you need to be under the limit to return too.

Original poster
Rlar105 · 22/07/2021 22:02

You guys have been very helpful! I'm thinking of going more pregnant than with a newborn and not to mention a toddler!
It's only 3 months we would be waiting... my only worry is the time it would take to get pregnant again. Could be a lot longer snd people have said don't put it off basically!

Shame we can't just relax and start trying when we are ready and have to avoid certain dates :/ but it's a very important date so cest la vie!

OP posts:
Original poster
Rlar105 · 22/07/2021 22:09

@TrashKitten10

Neither of the options are ideal at all but it's all speculative anyway, it might take months to fall pregnant, you might be pregnant but not well enough to fly or travel restrictions might not allow travel to Greece by then anyway. So try for a baby when the time feels right and cross any bridges as you get to them would be my advice.
Sorry I just saw this advice! Would love to be able to do this to be honest. We may have to!
OP posts:
40notout40 · 22/07/2021 22:10

Echo what previous posters have said to those timelines and flying, but really i'm massively shocked at your naivety/assumption that you will fall pregnant at the drop of a hat. Up to 12 months can be normal in terms of time to conceive, and tragically miscarriage/missed miscarriage is also very common. No point over planning anything !!

Original poster
Rlar105 · 22/07/2021 22:18

@40notout40

Echo what previous posters have said to those timelines and flying, but really i'm massively shocked at your naivety/assumption that you will fall pregnant at the drop of a hat. Up to 12 months can be normal in terms of time to conceive, and tragically miscarriage/missed miscarriage is also very common. No point over planning anything !!
Thanks for your advice!

Also if you scroll up, you'll see I've said I'm not assuming anything I'm just trying to get a rough idea of when to start trying to potentially avoid either of these situations.

I'm under no illusion things will go to plan.. and in fact am expecting them to not! But if I can somewhat attempt to get the timing right at least I've tried.

We were lucky enough to get pregnant two weeks after trying last time but I know this may not happen again

OP posts:
3luckystars · 22/07/2021 22:20

Neither.

40notout40 · 22/07/2021 22:25

But you've phrased the title as if it will either definitely happen in month 1 or month 2 🤦🏻‍♀️

slippersandprosecco · 22/07/2021 22:27

Definitely neither! My DC are 16 months apart, so a smaller age gap than you're planning- and oh my gosh it is BRUTAL. We did a family holiday within the the UK a few weeks back (when DC2 was 2 months) and honestly it was exhausting.

Also please don't underestimate how difficult two under two is. I also had an easy firstborn, hence getting pregnant when he was 6 months old. DC2 is also a dream baby (luckily), but oh my gosh toddlers are 1000x harder than newborns. DC1 was sleeping through the night by 8 weeks but this all turned to pot from around 11 months- now. It is very very very hard work- just a warning!