When is the latest you would go abroad before birth...

[crazycatlady82]

Hi,

Looking for some advice...

I would like one last holiday before baby arrives and I am due in October.

The last week I can fly is the first week in September.

I am not keen on going in the height of summer as I think it will be too hot (although northern France may be an option).

Would I feel too hot/big to go away at 33 weeks?!?!

I really don't have a clue which is why I am looking for advice.

The last week in August I would be looking at Northern Coastal Spain or Southern France.

We would probably fly as it is too far to drive from Scotland.

Although we are at a wedding in Wales in August. Could the best option be to continue to Northern France from there?!?!

Thanks

Well you can fly up to 36 weeks pregnant and if your pregnancy is healthy and has no complications or worries this is still a full four weeks before your due date. If you're thinking of going to France or Spain I don't see an issue really - just make sure you've got your maternity notes and and your EHIC card with you and make a note of nearby hospitals, just in case.

I went on a two-week holiday between 29-31 weeks with DS1 and it was absolutely fine. It included a long flight too, but I just wore compression socks, drank plenty of water and walked around every hour. September is lovely in the Mediterranean - not too hot and the sea is warm. If it was me, that's where I would go and when.

I'm going away at 31-32 weeks with my toddler to turkey and can't wait, my doctor is providing a fit to fly certificate for the airline and the midwife agrees a break before the baby arrives is a great idea... Go for it

Thanks ladies! Its good to hear all your experiences.

Sounds like I will be fine. I think/hope I will be quite neat as its only now at 18 weeks I have just started showing. I have also only gained 5lbs so far and am hoping if I keep reasonably fit and healthy I can continue to feel well until as close to the end as possible.

Looking forward to booking a wee break before life turns to chaos!!! Haha!!! Can't wait for my little girl to get here!

xx

remember it is not just the EHIC, you MUST have travel insurance.

33 weeks should be fine bit your travel insurance must cover the baby also in the event of premature birth - not all do, so phone and check. Have you had your 20 week scan? If your pregnancy is normal it's all fine, but any conditions that come up (hopefully they won't) you'd have to check regarding insurance and fit to fly.
Personally I'd go earlier in the third trimester if possible but I'm one of the 1 in 10 that had a preemie, so my judgement is skewed!

Our insurance stipulated not over 29 weeks, so be very careful! Not sure how the EU Health Card works though. I guess you would not a big bill if you had the baby whilst you were away.

Cooler countries include Ireland, Sweden or Iceland! Could you not get a ferry to one of these or Brittany? Although people do fly close to due date, I never risked it. Maybe I am risk averse? You could get tired and be uncomfortable in the aircraft seat so my own transport would appeal to me more.

it is obviously insane to go without travel insurance. The EHIC gives you treatment at the same cost as the locals so what it will cost depends where you are going.

it doesn't cover medevac home, extra accommodation etc etc etc if something goes wrong.

I'd go earlier rather than later, I don't think the temps where you are talking about will be that different late July/early Aug than end Aug and I wouldn't fly after about 30 weeks personally. Not because of being big or hot but incase there's a problem. Most people have uncomplicated pregnancies but many have complications of one kind or another which would make a flight difficult or impossible - not to mention the possibility of a premature baby. I'd personally rather have made sure I had the holiday while it was safe rather than potentially lose the opportunity due to having an unforeseen complication and having to cancel.

I certainly wouldn't drive to Northern France from Scotland (or go on from Wales) as I don't think you will find that very relaxing or comfortable!

The health card will cover some healthcare costs but you'd have additional costs of accommodation for your DP/DH and you and baby whilst you wait for fit to fly back (most prems can't travel until due date or later) and travel to the consulate to get their passport etc. I wouldn't go if I wasn't insured and baby too

I went twice in lateish pregnancy. Between 29-31 weeks we went to the Maldives and then at 35 weeks I went to visit my Mum in spain and returned 2 days before I was 36 weeks.

Both were fine - just keep hydrated and wear flight socks.

But not everyone is fine and you were visiting your mum. I was in hospital at 35 weeks! Baby arrived 2 weeks early in the end. Airlines say 29 weeks for a reason. Going to Portsmouth is no big deal from Wales if you are already there! Nowhere is close to Scotland! Apart from England!

"Well you can fly up to 36 weeks pregnant"

It depends on the airline and your insurance policy.

Yes always make sure you have insurance for you and baby. Jut because the airline says ok doesn't mean you're insured. I was readin g about the woman stuck in Hong Kong after giving birth there. She can't get a birth certificate and documents for the baby until the medical bills are paid. Her insurance covered her but not the baby. It's rare-ish to have a preemie (10% of births) but for the price of a phone call to your insurers I'd always double check