Flying at 22 weeks

[mrsbell1982]

Ladies - I need some advice as I forgot to check at my 16 week appointment and dont think I have another appointment until I get back.
We are going to Greece in September and I know flying is ok but we aren't going directly so we have a 3 hour flight to Athens and then take off again for another 1 hour flight to Skiathos and the same f...or the return. Do you think this sounds ok? Is it just the danger of labour and DVT with flying when pregnant or does the take off and landing cause any probs for the baby as we are doing it twice in a short amount of time within a week? Any advice grateful.

I managed a 4 hour flight at 27 weeks and another at 28 weeks.

Get some flight socks and get up to have a walk as often as you can. Take off and landing is fine, you just need to be extra precautious about DVT.

I agree with MrsChemist it's just the risk of DVT (and labour later on in the pregnancy). I'm sure you have already, but just check the small print on your insurance in case it has anything about travelling in pregnancy and check your airline don't need a Dr certificate to say its ok for you to fly.

I'm off to HK in August and will be 18wk....have to fly into Gatwick then out from Heathrow (live in Jersey). I have flown plenty in my last 2 pregnancies & all has been well. Check your travel insurance incase you were ill but being pregnant & otherwise healthy shouldn't make a difference - just follow usual precautions....make sure you drink plenty & walk about.....

Enjoy your holiday....esp. if this is baby #1 & try not to worry

I flew once or twice a month until 28 weeks and all was fine. Just make sure you wear DVT socks, reserve an aisle seat (so you don't annoy the other passengers), drink lots of water and walk lots!

I'm off to Florida in September when I'll be 26 wks on outbound and 28 wks on return flights! I have to get a letter from my gp confirming I'm safe to fly but other than that I'm just gonna get some surgery stockings (sexy) to wear in-flight and walk around as much as poss. The risk is mainly dvt.

Make sure to check with your airline that they're happy for you to fly and that your travel insurance covers you.

Ria x

I flew from the US to Britain at 22 weeks and am flying back at 26 weeks. My doctor said that the 8-hour flight was just at the borderline of when he would recommend flight stockings, so the risk of DVT on your short flight must be really low. The only thing I would say is that I got very uncomfortable sitting in an airline seat for hours, even more so than usual, so take any pillows that you think you might need or anything else that might help.

how late on can you fly? i have flights booked when I am 34 weeks. Only a 1 hour flight though

Laracroft - check with the airline just to be on the safe side as the airline I'm flying with won't let you on board if you're 32 weeks or more.

Ria x

thanks ria. Checked with british airways and I can fly with them up to 36 weeks so long as i have a doctors letter! phew!x

Make the most of a baby-free holiday! Try not to worry. Save up you 'alcohol units' for a glass of something delicious in the airport :)

Oooooooooh exciting! I'm SURE I just felt baby moving around! It felt like scraping across my insides (sorry, can't make it sound more pleasant than that)!!

Just happened to be whilst I was on the phone to Daddy too so as you can imagine, he's taking full credit for it!!! Haha!

Ria x

Hi, I flew Easyjet at 30 wks and was absolutely fine, my GP said you can take aspirin (in v small doses) for longer haul flights as well as flying support socks to prevent DVT (although if you are going to take Aspirin check safe amounts with your doctor first).

Only thing I would say, make sure your letter very clearly says the phrase 'fit to fly' because some airlines are very pedantic about having the exact wording in the letter (easyjet, I have to say, were a nightmare and treated me like a criminal for being pregnant). But then having said that, the Spanish easyjet staff couldn't understand 'fit to fly' & almost didn't let me on the plane!

I totally just posted in the wrong thread... Baby brain!!!!!!

lol :D

I've just been to Venice & back, 2 hour flight each way at 24 weeks. MW advised me to wear flight socks (not so noticable under a big comfy maxi dress) and make sure I drink lots of water. Its no different to sitting on a chair for that long, although on one descent my bump was a bit sore/tight/uncomfortable but baby was moving as normal so wasnt worried. Request an aisle seat so you can easily get up for the loo. I flew with BA and was surprised that I was only asked by 1 staff member at the gate how many weeks I was (my bump is huge for 24 -now 25- weeks). My biggest problem was the swollen ankles caused by the heat and lots of walking while actually away!