longhaul tarvel at 36 weeks

[philly]

Does anyone out there have any experience of flying longhaul,2 flights in 24 hours at this many weeks pregnant.I know someone who is planning to do this ,for complicated resons ,but admit to being horrified at the prospect especially as they will be on their own.Any comments welcome

[bloss]

Message withdrawn

[bells2]

Sorry Jillybeano, the furtherest gone I have ever travelled with insurance is 30 weeks on my NY trip. I absolutely couldn't find any insurance cover for a trip to France at 33 weeks at all (again for work) and had to go without.

[Jillybeano]

Bels2 - Which travel insurance company did you find that would insure you to 34 weeks? I haven't found any that will go beyond 32 weeks, and I want to fly at 34 weeks ....

[bundle]

...they wouldn't give me bulkhead seat either, just a standard aisle one.

[bundle]

bossykate, I think it was virgin, but it may have been ba (pregnancy brian strikes..) and their computer on the checkin desk was broken so I thought sod this, the wait will be ages and just marched..then looked a little more pathetic as I got to the front

[buttercup]

you dont say how pregnant. I flew to south africa and back (on my own) when I was about 32 weeks and 24 weeks pregnant. I asked for an upgrade which apparently virgin happily do for pregnant women but I was refused and quite rudely. Once I got over the tears I was fine. I just made sure I walked about for 5 mins in every hour. Your friend needs to make sure she can have a proper rest after the flights to recover as the need for movement means you cant sleep much. Also doctor recommended those tight tights, cant remember name of them

[SueW]

Blimey Bells, downgrading is appalling!! DH used to fly to the US on business and they had auto upgrades to First Class from Business on check in provided First Classs wasn't already sold out. If I hear one more time how nice it is to be asked how you want your eggs cooked.......

[anoushka]

i would double cheak that the airline will let you travel and nearly get it in writing because i could see you at the cheak in desk and them saying no you know how terrible that would be because i all ways tought it was a cut off no of weeks you could travel

[bells2]

I wouldn't be too hopeful of any special treatment. I did New York at 30 weeks and although was booked on Upper Class on Virgin (it was for work) I was actually downgraded to economy due to overbooking.

Also went to the Caribbean at 28 weeks with Vrigin and despite special seating request was crammed into a window seat.

I assume your friend is doing this without travel insurance as I couldn't find any at all beyond 34 weeks.

[honeybunny]

I flew to Grenada at 30weeks pg at the beginning of the year. Check with the airline as to what they require to ensure that your friend gets on board. 28weeks with some and 32 weeks with others =letter from Gp saying you are fit and well, confirming no of weeks of pg, and 36 weeks is often the cut off point because of the risk of prem labour. I wore TED socks to reduce the risk of DVT but my obstetrician said low dose aspirin wasn't necessary. Maybe I'm low risk, so best to check. I insisted on an aisle seat, but no upgrade for me either. Outward bound was fine but the return a week later was really uncomfortable. The seats were too narrow to allow me to sit in my customary "tailor" cross legged position, so ended up standing/sitting in the wide part of the plane by the loos for most of the journey. Fortunately a night flight so people weren't moving around too much. Wish your friend luck, I wouldn't want to repeat it again in the same state even though my holiday was fantastic.

[SoupDragon]

I think the cot death thing was flying long haul with babies and was "disproven".

I'd recommend that she phone the airline and prebook special assistance so that someone takes her to the plane & meets her from the plane at the other end to retrieve any luggage. I'm thinking of one of those golf buggy things you see beeping round the airports!

Personally, I think she's mad! I was exhausted after a trip round London zoo at 37 weeks

[Jaybee]

Surely there would be a risk to the baby too - haven't I read somewhere that this could affect the likelihoon of cot death or am I talking out of my bottom?

[bossykate]

bundle, which airline did you fly??? i flew to malaysia at 26 weeks with ba - no special treatment whatsoever, wouldn't let me have a bulkhead seat as next to an emergency exit (apparently i was not considered sufficiently able bodied to operate the mechanism!!) and absolutely no chance of an upgrade!

philly, they would probably make more of an effort for your friend given the advanced state of her pregnancy.

[bundle]

march to the front of any queue, get airline staff to look after you/your luggage, get extra cushions, water and an aisle seat if not an upgrade. i took half a low dose aspirin to reduce the risk of dvt, under doc's instructions. move around a lot. the labour bit...I was only 28 weeks and that never happened

[philly]

They have managed to book tickets and will get Drs letter but wonder about the practical considerations;comfort,managing luggage etc and what happens if you go into labour on plane!

[bossykate]

philly, ariel is right, after 32 weeks a doctor's letter is required before airlines will take you. not sure what the implications are to travel insurance - your friend should check this out in case something happens and she is not covered.

hth.

[ariel]

Dont know if this is correct , but im sure if your beyond a certain stage in pregancy you have to have a letter from your doctor stating its safe for you to fly, dd2 was 8 wks prem and whilst pg with ds3 i was due to fly (only short haul) but the air line said i had to get a letter saying it was unlikly i would labour early again, doc would not , so i could not fly.