Flying to Japan at 30 to 32 weeks pregnant, would you book?

[Friedbanana]

We cancelled our big Japan in 3 weeks time due to Dubai stopover flights. The next time I could possibly take off work is late September/October so we decided to rebook then, but I just got a really really faint positive pregnancy test (testing very early) it could be an evap line . But if I was pregnant that would put me at 30-32 weeks . Would you be comfortable booking a big holiday and flying then? This would be my first pregnancy and I would be 33 then. Or should we rebook flights with a different airline and go in 3 weeks as originally planned?! Would have to book everything from scratch, hotels etc and have no activities booked either.

I took a 13 hour flight for a family holiday at 32-33 weeks pregnant. I found insurance that covered me and had to travel with a doctor’s letter. The holiday was a lounging by the pool and strolling past cafes holiday, plus it was my second pregnancy and I had a toddler to distract me. Everything was fine but I did find it stressful having to prepare for all the worst case scenarios.

Good choice to replan your trip.

even if you are only newly pregnant I would check Zika virus and Japan - you may not want to risk going in 3 weeks time either

There is no Zika risk in Japan.

I’ve been to Tokyo three times and strongly disagree that it is busy everywhere. We’ve wandered through some really quiet neighbourhoods even in central aeras and lots of Tokyo is very calm and quiet. Sumida, Ryogoku, Tomioka, Sugacho, Yanaka Ginza and Kudanshita were all very quiet and peaceful. I think you just went to very busy tourist hotspots. Some places bordered on deserted.

I also wouldn’t describe Japan as very flat. It’s a very mountainous country and even in Tokyo a lot of places are pretty steep (Sugacho being one such example). Kyoto is very hilly.

I definitely agree that it can be a full on holiday. We do 20,000+ steps per day almost every day. I think we also did something like 4,000 km by train in two weeks last year. It doesn’t have to be quite so action packed though.

Thanks everyone! I’m rebooking for 2.5 weeks time! Still not sure if I’m pregnant as I had another potentially evap line today but you’ve all well and truly scared me off going later in pregnancy. Going to go for 2 weeks and won’t plan it crazily busy. It’s been such a bucket list destination for years so I’d still like to do it before baby comes. And I don’t drink anyway so won’t feel I’m missing out on nice drinks!

Just putting it out there that you won't know how your body copes with early pregnancy.

With DS I ended up flying out for a 3 week holiday at 5 weeks pregnant. We had to book an emergency flight home as I ended up with hyperemesis gravidarum after 3 days of being there!

With DD, we flew out when I was 4.5 weeks, just made the whole week but was vomming the whole way home. Wouldn't recommend... But that was on me!

Early pregnancy can be rough... I wouldn't recommend trying to enjoy a nice, expensive trip whilst going through it.

I wouldn’t risk it if pregnant. You don’t know how low or high risk the pregnancy will be. If you have a shortened cervix (risk of early labour) how you will feel (hyperemisis) and risk of blood clots on long haul.
i am 23 weeks pregnant and flying next week short haul (2 hours) this is my limit. I’m already exhausted and want to relax and sleep and there is no way a 14 hour flight would appeal. This is third pregnancy and considered low risk

just caught up.
i told my sister NOT to try and conceive before her holiday to Japan.
because the first trimester is horrrific and flying long Haul would be absolute hell.
you may be different though. Good luck! I love the optimism and the will power to go!

Absolutely not (even though I LOVE Japan and I go at every opportunity!).

A direct flight is a killer. And giving birth in Japan is absolutely no fun at all (look into it) just in case the hypothetical baby came early.

Plus, the amount you'd be wanting to walk every day (miles and miles of stairs and steps sightseeing, even with little kids I regularly hit 5 miles a day minimum there)... Omg you would be so uncomfortable, especially in September where temperatures are still often 30° and over. It would quite probably limit what you get out of the trip.

I would either go earlier than summer (summer is so humid and brutally hot, the "feels like" temps hit 45° when I was there last summer July/August and I couldn't have coped at all with that whilst heavily pregnant) OR I would see of you have a relatively chilled baby, and go when the baby is about four or five months old and still nice and portable. Japan is easy to get around with kids, extremely easy.

Plus, would travel insurance be a pain at that stage of pregnancy? I wouldn't want swollen ankles or increased risk of DVT, or even heaven forbid anything worse happening on the flights.

*Edited to add, sorry OP just seen your update after I posted! You made the right choice 🌷

@Friedbanana I hope you have a wonderful time. April is a fabulous time to visit Japan.

I’d probably wait if it ends up being 30+ weeks. Flying that late can be really uncomfortable, and things like sudden swelling or tiredness can hit hard. Honestly, rebooking for later when you’re a bit earlier in pregnancy might be way less stressful. Plus, you’ll enjoy it more without worrying the whole time.