Going on holiday, any tips?

[SamraLee]

Going on holiday to Florida, and I will be 30 weeks when we go. We are taking a wheelchair for me so I won't have to do much walking. Anyone have any tips on what to pack or what to bring? We already have travel insurance sorted. Thanks in advance for any advice!

Yes! Don't know when you're coming back, but double and triple check your airline's policy! I just flew back from the Middle East at 32+1 weeks. I (thought) I had double checked and fully understood the policy, which was, as I understood it, up until 33 weeks I just needed a basic medical certificate signed by my GP and after 33 weeks I needed a check up 24 hours before flying from the airline doctor. So because I was 32+1 I just had the GP cert. HOWEVER, what the policy actually is is you need the check up from the BEGINNING of the 33rd week. So we got to the airport to fly back and they wouldn't let me on because I had (just) entered the 33rd week. They did relent in the end and let us on the flight, but only after 2 hours stressful waiting, followed by having to run through security to the gate and we actually held up the plane! That's one way to give a pregnant woman stress!!

I also found my support pillow nice to have on the plane to wedge myself comfortably into the seat. And travelled in a nice big maxi dress so I wasn't sitting with anything around my middle!

We had a great holiday and I didn't have any particular problems with walking or the heat, but I've had a very good pregnancy so far generally!

Enjoy!

Thank you for your advice, I called up my travel insurance and they said they don't discriminate against pregnant women and will cover me up to my due date.

It's not the travel insurance I'm talking about - its the airline you're flying with - check you've got the right documentation and have double checked the way they word their policy on flying in pregnancy!

you also need to check that if your baby was to come would they be covered by the same insurance, as that is normally the problem, as well as whether the airline would cover you, from what i understand 28 weeks is the point Its classed as ok, you should also be checking where the local maternity hospital is and what the neo natal care is like, for me getting about would be one of the last things i would be worried about just what you would do if baby was to be born as its a real possibility. i am a worrier though :)

On a more superficial note, yesterday I came back from a week at the beach. I could not lie on my front, so have an uneven tan! I am 31 weeks.
Didn't do much sightseeing, as it was painful to walk far and although I normally love high 30s weather, I found it really hot. I normally lie in the shade, but this time I was constantly in the water - good for the baby and my six year old.

Do you have / need travel insurance for the baby? Especially in the states I would check.

Does your insurance cover acc

Accommodation costs if the baby comes early, they are in hospital and you are duscharged?

I flew to Thailand and back at 27-29 weeks. You must wear flight socks for the duration of the flight, make sure you drink lots and lots and lots of water and try and get up and stretch your legs on the plane at least every hour.

I took cans of water spray with me to combat the heat - good for spraying on swollen feet and ankles. Apart from that, flip flops and maxi dresses pretty much saw me through.

Oh and make sure you take your pregnancy notes!

Tell me more about the wheelchair! Do you have SPD?

blushingmare
I'm flying with Virgin and I've already cleared my travel with their special assitance team.

goingmadtrying
I asked the travel insurance about if the baby is born early, they do cover the baby as well as me (even if the baby is not born healthy).

potteringalong
They will cover the extra hotel costs up to a certain amount of money (if I remember correctly I think it's £1,000) as well as the cost of return flights.

VivClicquot
Thank you for the reminder about my pregnancy notes, I have made plans to take them (even made copies of them in case I lose them).

AlpinePony
Yes I have pelvic girdle pain, which is why we are taking the wheelchair. When we recently took a short trip to London, we also took a wheelchair there. I would be able to get out of the wheelchair and do things like steps and people kept asking me why I was in a wheelchair! I feel so stupid when people explain I need a wheelchair because I'm pregnant.

sounds like you have everything covered so off you go and have a good time, just maybe check out where the nearest hospital is.......

just in case

Sound like you're sorted! Have a great time!