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Original poster

Holiday abroad 33 weeks Pregnant - is it a crazy idea?

67 replies

Hod2018 · 08/07/2021 23:30

FTM who will 33+2 when I fly out to Mallorca next week to stay at my in-laws apartment. I have loads of holiday to use and have had a really easy pregnancy to date with no complications, so I was keen to get a week of sun and relaxation in before I get any bigger and can't, as well as won't want to, travel. As well as get this last bit of quality time just the two of us. My husband can't take much time off work (we are saving it for when the baby arrives) so I am planning to fly out 3 days earlier and then he'll join me for 5 days, before flying home together when I will be 34+3. I've seen a doctor and have fit to fly certification, the only thing I have left to do is get travel insurance which I believe I can with Admiral but it won't cover natural birth (and I don't believe there are any insurers who will past 32 weeks) so that would be a risk I would be taking. My mother in law (whose apartment we would be using) says she is happy for us to go but had expressed her concerns tonight over it, and in particular me being my myself for 3 days first. So now I feel completely torn, and really have to make a decision so I can cancel my time off work if we decide to not go.
Just wondering if anyone else has flown/ holidayed abroad this late in pregnancy? Is this a crazy and reckless thing to do? All I plan to do is lie by the pool, read and relax, and I know the chances of me going into labour are slim but of course it does happen. Any advice or experience anyone can share would be really appreciated, thanks

OP posts:
wouldukissafrog · 08/07/2021 23:37

Sister in law is 30 weeks pregnant- took a risk going somewhere she didn't really need to go, she's now really poorly with COVID and in hospital being monitored as baby is now high risk. Is it worth it?

Viviennemary · 08/07/2021 23:40

I wouldn't take the risk. Are you even covered for a hospital stay and medical care if you go into labour. But its up to you. Probsbly loads of folk will come along in a minute and say you'll be fine.

Susannahmoody · 08/07/2021 23:42

Not worth the risk IMHO

Cheeseandlobster · 08/07/2021 23:44

Will they even let you on the plane though?

TakeYourFinalPosition · 08/07/2021 23:54

I wouldn’t as you don’t have insurance.

I might have if you did. I think you’d have been covered for natural birth then - I am, but I’m earlier on, and bought my insurance a while ago.

But with no insurance, and by yourself for three days, as well as the Covid situation… I don’t think I would. Sorry.

WillowGrand · 08/07/2021 23:56

I absolutely wouldn’t and I’m not risk averse at all!

Callisto1 · 09/07/2021 00:02

What happens if you have to isolate due to a positive case on plane and can't return the week later. Or worse get Covid on holiday?
Even in normal times it would be risky. But throw in travel disruption and lack of proper insurance and it's just not worth it.

RainbowMum11 · 09/07/2021 00:12

Can you fly at that stage of pregnancy, especially for a holiday? Personally, I wouldn't but then travelling and sun/heat would have been a go y for me by that point anyway, and I had mine at 37 & 36 weeks respectively

Lunde · 09/07/2021 00:28

I would not do it with no insurance.

Also if you or baby suffer complications and become unwellyou may be stuck there

junebirthdaygirl · 09/07/2021 05:16

Don't do it! Especially going by yourself. If anything happened during the night when you were on your own. I don't even think that would be relaxing . But why not still take time off work. Rest. Spend time with dh. Do some of the things you imagined on the holiday. So all is not lost.

CurlyWurlyTwos · 09/07/2021 05:34

I went on an impromptu trip at 33 weeks OP Grin!

I googled ‘lastest time to fly when pregnant’ and went on a baby-moon to Croatia with my other half! Best trip we did and had a great time and didn’t regret it for a second!

It was before COVID though!

This is your first opportunity to get some sun in a long time, and you’ll need a break and change of scene before the baby comes!

As long as you and your other half are sensible (don’t go to crowed places) and stick to distance, wear masks etc - why shouldn’t you go? PCR seem to be standard for travel to most place atm.

You are healthy and seem very well! Go for it, it’s your last chance to have an ‘adult’ break!!

ivfgottwins · 09/07/2021 05:41

Pre covid I'd probably have risked it

Mid pandemic with rising numbers and you being one of the few left who haven't been vaccinated....no I wouldn't

IdrisElbow · 09/07/2021 05:42

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This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

Imcatmum · 09/07/2021 05:44

A 34 wk old baby arriving abroad.....you'll be stuck there a LONG time. Baby would be in hospital for weeks being so early.

ivfgottwins · 09/07/2021 05:44

And as for avoiding crowded places sitting in an enclosed plane for a few hours with recycled air isn't avoiding crowded places

My parent has covid- doubled jabbed - they caught it from someone they were with less than 2 hours, didn't touch both wore masks socially distanced but shared the same space it's that transmissible at the moment

hellywelly3 · 09/07/2021 05:48

Not a chance. You could end up on your own for longer if hubby has a positive pcr before his flight. What about a mini break in the U.K. you can go on holiday once you’ve had a baby

Silkiecats · 09/07/2021 05:48

I wouldn't risk it with covid and chance could go to amber, if you have to stay longer you could end up at 36 weeks which is when my waters broke. I would especially be worried about time you are on your own.

AbsolutelyPatsy · 09/07/2021 05:53

i didnt think you could fly at that stage?

PatchworkElmer · 09/07/2021 05:54

No way, absolutely not. Book a U.K. break or stay home and relax.

sparemonitor · 09/07/2021 05:55

Have you got insurance to cover the costs of neonatal care for a prem baby if you go into labour early?

AbsolutelyPatsy · 09/07/2021 05:59

you might be ok, on the other hand you might not, particularly as the insurance doesnt cover a natural birth, why put yourself through such stress? not good for the baby for a start.

GiantHaystacks2021 · 09/07/2021 06:03

YABU.
It's a nuts idea.
The French govt are telling people not to travel to Spain.
You might get stuck there and be in a world of trouble and expense.

Rtmhwales · 09/07/2021 06:03

Mine was unexpectedly born at 31+6. Waters broke while out to dinner with zero notice. Baby born a couple hours later and NICU. I wouldn't if it were me (and I'm a massive world traveler) just because something could go wrong and it's such a big risk I couldn't take.

Itsprobablynotcominghome · 09/07/2021 06:10

Are you double jabbed?

Reckless would be doing this before covid existed.
Crazy would be doing this now.
Unhinged would be doing this now, unvaccinated.

soughsigh · 09/07/2021 06:18

I'm 29 weeks and most definitely am not going abroad. This also applied before covid, I didn't like the idea of being uninsured against natural birth - as we are blessed with the NHS, we are shielded from the cost of healthcare and it's so expensive, especially for a preemie needing intensive care!

On a covid front, I genuinely don't understand why they have opened the borders. Do you really want to be in an enclosed metal tube for hours, breathing other people's germs?

Surely if it's just pool and relaxation you want, you can book a UK spa type break? We went to a hotel an hour down the road at 37 weeks with my first, had a relax, a swim, ate nice food, got a massage. I also got a pedicure because DH refused to cut my toenails for me.