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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

How can I get to Ireland!

49 replies

Newmummytobe79 · 31/03/2011 14:03

After reading some posts on here ? I have to admit ? you?re right! I booked flights to Ireland for my best friends wedding with Ryanair before I found out I?m pregnant and I?ll be 37.5 weeks. The website states they won?t let pregnant women fly after 36 weeks and Irish Ferries won?t let a pregnant woman travel after 32 weeks!

My midwife said she has no problem with me flying as long as the Dr writes a fit to fly and my travel insurance company is happy to insure me.

So ? I can?t miss her wedding! The only reason I wouldn?t go is if lo has arrived or if I?m in labour.

If I tell a tiny weeny 1.5 week fib ? and something happens ? will my insurance be void?

I know there are lots on here who wouldn?t fly ? and if I?m not well enough nearer the time I won?t. But to all those women who made 40 weeks and felt great ? would you tell a porky pie?

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

SnapFrakkleAndPop · 31/03/2011 19:51

"In Irish its Eire, but you appear to be writing in English, so its misplaced. You wouldn't write, I'm going to Deutschland for my holliers, would you? Same thing.

It's not ROI either, thats a descriptor not a country name."

Oh for heaven's sake that's the confusion I was trying to avoid. The distinction of whether the OP is going to be North or South of the border. Still in the UK or in a different country, which does indeed have freedom of movement but airlines don't like that. I will say 'I'm going to Ireland' without distinguishing whether it's NI or Ireland-the-different-country because 90% of the time it doesn't matter, but when you're talking about going there and having a baby and possible implications of that the fact it's a different country does come into play. Not least because airlines are arses.

"The airline policy may or may not require a passport for a baby, a ferry does not, the law does. not. And Belfast- Mainland is within the same country so is neither here nor there."

Hence why the OP may need to drive up OVER the border to the bit where airlines don't say 'it's an international flight so you need a passport'. Depending on where in the UK the OP lives and where on the island of Ireland she is going to be that may be a more attractive option than taking a ferry and going overland through the UK.

WinterOfOurDiscountTents · 31/03/2011 19:57

I'm sure the OP knows whcih country shes going to, unless you think she's a total dimwit.

nannyl · 31/03/2011 20:15

You dont need a passport to go to Ireland (ie the southern bit, NOT nothern Ireland)

My grandparents travel regularly using their driving license as official photo ID
(southampton to Dublin OR gatwick to Dublin)

Their passports ran out ages ago and as they never intend to leave the country again they arnt paying out for any more!

SnapFrakkleAndPop · 31/03/2011 20:24

It could well be relevant to what plans the OP has for if she goes into labour though, which I asked further down the thread and, as I'm not entirely clear, I've been prefacing everything with if this, if that. I still don't know where she's going and that affects my personal response.

So far I have:

If she's going to NI, then it's NHS, her notes will be easily comprehensible and I personally would be happier about the possibility of going into labour if it were me. If the baby were born there then getting back to the UK would be simpler.

If she's not then she would need to take additional precautions regarding travel insurance, familiarise herself with the healthcare system, make contingency plans for the airline being difficult about her coming back, etc.

To my mind all of those things need to be considered as a package beyond the simple 'I'll be flying out at 37.5 weeks' (and presumably back at 38). On balance I'd be happier staying in the terroritory than crossing a border.

Same reason I'd consider a flight back to France which is 10 hours but wouldn't go to South Africa, which is only 4 (although there would then be serious nationality/passport issues whereas the OP would only have to deal with irritating airlines and would have a way to get home without a passport by taking the ferry if she chose).

SnapFrakkleAndPop · 31/03/2011 20:29

I'm clearly flying with the wrong airline! Apparently if you fly Aer Lingus you can do it on an IS card or a bus pass and children under 16 don't need photo ID.

No more Ryanair for me! Although they are dirt cheap...

Well there's your answer OP - fly back with Aer Lingus.

DewinDoeth · 31/03/2011 20:46

Waswondering I also thought Stena is worth a try.
Newmummy where would you be sailing from? Stena's fast ferry from Holyhead is an hour or so, and surely that wouldn't be an issue so you could take that. If it's your first there's no way you'll give birth in that time.

Plus, Holyhead is close to Ysbyty Gwynedd (a fine labour ward with which I am familiar!).
And before you embark on the ferry, there's a handy helpful mumsnetter nearby!

everyspring · 31/03/2011 21:10

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

lovemybabyboy · 31/03/2011 23:57

You only need a baby's birth cert to fly to ireland (republic) from england, I am irish living in england and my son is 2.4yrs and we go 3-4 times a year...he does not have a passport!
However with Ryan Air i think they may have changed the rules so that babies do need a passport....it used to be untill they were 2 but think it has changed.
With Aer Lingus children up to the age of 16 can fly between ireland (replubic) and england with there birth cert!

I flew at about 30 weeks, it was fine....not a long flight, about 40 mins. Dont think I would of flew at 37 weeks though....but its up to you!

Finn77 · 01/04/2011 08:04

There is no way I would consider this! I was 37+6 with my first and due to fly to Dublin next morning from UK, like you I was going to tell a teeny tiny lie to Ryanair!!! I didn't mind if I had the baby in Ireland as I had originally started my ante-natal care there prior to relocating to the UK.
That night I went into labour and had my DD by 10am the next morning...had I gone on the flight I would have been giving birth in the aisle...
I have a weeding in Ireland in september when I am 34.5 weeks and I have already said I can't go, gutted, but with past experience!

Original poster

Newmummytobe79 · 01/04/2011 09:33

Hi all - sorry for any confusion ? and thanks for all the advice to date! I plan to fly from Manchester to Belfast. My midwife said as long as I take my notes I?ll be fine. I?ve also been told that if I do go into labour in Belfast I won?t need a passport for baby but I will need to buy a car seat (apparently you need one to leave hospital now?)

I?ll be there for two days so flying out when 37+2 and flying back at 37+4. Husband has suggested I write to Ryanair ? so I may try that.

It sounds like I might not/won?t want to go that late on in my pregnancy but as I?ve already had to step down from being a bridesmaid, I can?t quite accept it yet that I might not even make the wedding :( x

OP posts:

WinterOfOurDiscountTents · 01/04/2011 09:37

Thats in the UK, its not a foreign country, unlike Ireland.

Maryz · 01/04/2011 09:43

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

juneau · 01/04/2011 09:44

Wild horses wouldn't drag me to a wedding when I was 37+2 unless it was within easy driving distance of home. Writing to Ryanair - LOL. Sorry, but that's not going to make any difference. Airlines, ferry companies, etc have their policies and they're not going to bend them because you write them a nice letter! I know it's sad that you can't go, but if I were you I'd start getting used to the idea. No airline is going to carry you so late in your pregnancy and I'm willing to bet that by the time the wedding rolls around you'll actually be glad you aren't going.

carciofi · 01/04/2011 11:05

I really wouldn't risk it and I don't think Ryanair will bend their rules for you. It is very disappointing, I know. I had to miss my brother's wedding in New Zealand recently because I have placenta previa.

suzikettles · 01/04/2011 11:12

I think you should write to Ryanair - if even just to clarify that they won't carry you and make you feel better at having explored all your options.

Do write rather than phone though - they charge a bloody fortune for calls.

bakingno4 · 08/04/2011 18:10

Wow- winterofourdiscounttents you have a real problem with the Republic of Ireland / Eire!!! Some issues there I think!!!

galwaygal · 08/04/2011 19:53

Just to add the Swansea - Cork ferry does not stipulate pregnancy as an issue for travel (unlike Irish ferries at 32 weeks and Stenaline at 36weeks) however it is a 10 hour ferry journey and any medical intervention costs would be the patient to pay not the ferry company, so being fully insured with travel insurance vital.

With my last pregnancy, I was in hospital at 33weeks suspected prem labour and needed to get between Ireland and England, I had a test done at the hospital and was told I had to move fast and get home within 12 hours (ryanair on strike at the time!!!!). Risked driving and going on fast ferry, car broke down, I was having contractions the whole way and wondered if I would be giving birth on the side of the M5 motorway at one point. But I made it home. It is not an experience I would care to repeat. (despite having gone on ferry at 36weeks with previous pregnancy to attend a wedding!).

Anyway, I hope it all goes well and you do get to enjoy your friends wedding and return safely before baby arrives.

galwaygal · 08/04/2011 20:03

OK I think I might have found a legitimate alternative for you.....

P&O ferries : IRISH SEA ? A certificate is required for women who are more than 38 weeks pregnant. In special circumstances we reserve the right to refuse carriage or request a certificate at any stage of pregnancy.

These go Dublin -Liverpool and also cairnryan / troon - larne (Belfast).

So you would be ok to get to Ireland (North or South)

thefurryone · 08/04/2011 22:50

Just seen this thread has come back, winter I am well aware that Belfast is UK my point was that because some airlines let babies fly with just a birth certificate because legally they don't need to have a passport to fly from Belfast to other UK airport, then because they don't legally need a passport to travel from Ireland to UK they may also let a baby fly with just a birth certificate. Just thinking out loud.

NI and ROI are acceptable abbreviations for most people writing about the two countries in general conversation, not really sure what your problem is with that.

thefurryone · 08/04/2011 22:57

Newmummytobe ryanair don't fly into Belfast any more. Manchester route is operated by Flybe and BMIBaby.

maighdlin · 08/04/2011 23:09

was going to say what thefurryone said. ryanair have stopped belfast routes.

if you do go and go into labour in belfast go to the royal hospital. i had DD there very nice there. They will not let you leave without a car seat unless you are getting the bus or walking home, and if you do need to get one there are places close by to get one.

BagofHolly · 09/04/2011 09:33

Bakingno4, I think you're being very unfair to Winterofourdiscountents! She's right in everything she's said, and it IS an irritant when people get it wrong and then say it doesn't matter!
As for "issues" I suggest you read some Tim Pat Coogan etc, which might give you an overview on why they've been shooting the arses off each other for the last 100 years...

WinterOfOurDiscountTents · 09/04/2011 16:34

yes I oddly like people to get the name of my country right. So strange in that regard we Irish, I can't for the life of me imagine why that would be.

thehiddenpaw · 11/04/2011 12:32

am just back from Dublin, flew aer lingus at 26 weeks. First pregnancy went to Dublin at 33 weeks with dr note fit to fly. Had baby here in Uk one week later (34 weeks) so WILL NEVER travel that close to due date again. I was also at a wedding when I went into labour and was about an hour from a hospital staying away from home. Honestly never thought it could happen to me and it did. So please think again about travelling at such a late time

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