work travel?

[oggybags]

I am 7-8 weeks, and travel alot for work
I wasnt planning to tell work till about 14 weeks for various reasons, however I've now hit a potential issue;
I am due to travel for work to new york in mid october & far east (china)in early november, but as work will want to book soon I need to decide whether to go or no (I have the option to not go if I explain why - but will have to tell them sooner than i planned)

can anyone advise how I might feel from a tiredness point of view (currently shattered) & also how people have found travelling (NY economy, far east business class) - what side effects etc and any risks i might not have thought about
i realise these are things i can discuss with my midwife, but wondered if anyone had any specfic experience, as i dont have my booking apt for another 10 days & need to decide what to do now

thanks

You will be ok tiredness-wise at that stage, I actually felt quite good from 4-6 months with DS.

What I would insist on though is a business class ticket for the NY trip - you need to have room to stretch out and move around on a flight that long as you are at increased risk of DVT while pregnant.

You might still be quite tired, though not so shattered as in early pregnancy. You may also develop issues like SPD which can complicate travel. And that's without developing anything (high blood pressure, low placenta) that could mean you can't fly.

Also, is your pre-pregnancy BMI high? My GP gave me info saying that flying long-haul with a higher pre-pregnancy BMI requires heparin injections because the risk of DVT is so high.

You can't assume you'll be okay to fly that far.

If you don't go, is there someone who could take the tickets and go in your place?

Can you tell your boss in confidence? It might be easier all round.

I would add that the other thing to consider would be medical care in China if anything untoward were to happen. Obviously not an issue for NY, but I guess would depend on where you will be in China..

You should also check out your work travel insurance - ours doesn't cover pregnancy at all. If this is the case then you will need to get additional insurance and should get it before you book so that if you have to cancel for some sort of pregnancy related issue then you can claim.

I felt fine at that stage, but still wouldn't have wanted to be away from our reassuring NHS and family.

Do you want to go?

Went to NYC at 12 weeks (pleasure) and was ok although took it easier than previous visits

Hi There
Everyone is different but I travelled a lot with work, when expecting my daughter five years ago and it had no adverse effects. My first trip was to Cape Town at 11 weeks pregnant - a thirteen hour flight in economy. I wore socks to help combat DVT and drank and ate plenty throughout the flights. Was def a bit more tired throughout the trip but compensated with earlyish nights rather than staying up to drink with colleagues! Subsequent trips to Canada, NY and various locations in central and northern Europe. I was 34 at the time and physically very fit with no history of ill health so I don't know if that helped. If you do plan to go ahead, you should let your employers know you are pregnant sooner rather than later as the chances are their travel insurance will need to be ammended to accommodate you. For what it's worth, my daughter has been a fantastic traveller since her first trip at 9 months - could be a complete coincidence but I like to think it's because she got so much experience in the womb:)! Only you know what is right for you, and I'm sure you'll work it out. Best of luck and enjoy your pregnancy. I'm currently 38 weeks with number 2 and well and truly grounded for now!