Anyone been on a plane at 34+ weeks?

[doodledee]

I'm 34+3 and just heard my gran is dying and unlikely to survive more than a few days. I want to be there with her but would mean a flight to Ireland followed by couple hours car journey to be there. Does this sound reasonable at my gestation? My pg has been problem free so far - only other concern is very isolated part of ireland - would mean lifeboat plus 40 miles over mountain roads to get to nearest big town/hospital. Parents not keen for me to travel, really don't know what to do

Sorry to hear about that doodledee, that is very sad for you. I don't have any experience with that but am working overseas and planning to fly home at 34 weeks (4 hour flight) and am already nervous about it.

Obviously you need to check the airline policy and get a note from your doctor, but at the end of the day I think it is only a decision you can make.

Speak to your doctor immediately (and yes, check the airline's policy as you might not be able to travel anyway).

And no, I haven't travelled that late in pregnancy - particularly not to such an isolated spot.

I'd be a lot more worried about the isolation and lifeboat/mountain roads to hospital than the flight bit.

But I have a feeling the airline may not let you travel anyway. I flew back to Japan at just under 34 weeks with DS, and I think I was at the limit for being allowed to fly then, though I suppose shorthaul may be not so strict.

Really sorry to hear about your Gran, but I'm afraid you may just have to accept that circumstances mean you won't be there to say goodbye. Is she still able to talk on the phone or skype?

Sorry to hear about your gran.

I flew at 33 weeks - flight was only 1hr 30 mins and I felt really uncomfortable and hemmed in as I could only get a window seat in a row of three. I hated every second of it and my back was in agony.

My midwife was ok about me flying and had done me a letter which I took with me. On the outward journey I was asked for it but not on the way back. The airline I flew with only required medical approval after 36 weeks but I got the letter anyway just in case.

Don't expect anyone to help you out though! At the boarding gate I was looking for a seat as it was packed out and no-one offered theirs to me. I ended up sitting on the window ledge! And you will get bashed around a bit too, not very nice at all.

Thanks for your replies - ryanair will let me fly with note from mw up until 36 weeks so not a problem from that end i guess the isolation is worrying me more - and the fact i HATE flying - need to be very drunk/take diazepam usually which is of course out of question.
Expat - gran has dementia so doesn't really know me anyway - just horrible time with bloody hormones all over place - dunno what to do for best, worried i won't go then regret it in future

If you're wondering what to do I'd think about your baby. What is the right thing for him/her? Your gran is unlikely to know you're there or who you are if dementia is advanced (I'm not being heartless - my own grandma died after many years of dementia and had no idea who I was for years before the end). Whereas being miles from medical help could have serious consequences for you or your LO. I'd think very carefully about what you and your gran stand to gain from a last-dash visit. Yes, you can goodbye and if you weren't so advanced in your pregnancy I'm sure you'd want to. But you have other considerations now, which should probably take precedence.

My grandma has alzeimers too and I know I would want to be there if i could, but I have to agree with Juneau as you would be travelling to a very remote part of Ireland.

I am also pregnant but I dont think I would risk it at this stage

So sorry you having to make a difficult decision