Flying at 11 weeks pregnant with a 2 yr old when supposed to be taking it easy...thoughts???

[sw11mumofone]

Hi - I'd really appreciate some advice. I am supposed to be flying to South of France in two weeks time with my two year old daughter and I will be 11 weeks pregnant. We are going to stay with my sister and her kids and my parents will be there too. I have had a haematoma with a bit of bleeding between weeks 6 and 9 but at a scan yesterday they said the haematoma has virtually resolved itself and baby is growing well with strong heartbeat etc. However, I am supposed to still take it easy with no lifting. Once I get to France I will have a week of help from family and my sister has a swimming pool so my daughter will be in her element. However, I'm slightly concerned about the 2 hours in Heathrow and the flight by myself with her. She's pretty active and can be difficult like any 2 year old. I'll have luggage and her and the situation has potential to be stressful. So do I go and hope for the best and once I get there have help for a week, or do I not risk it and stay at home and take it easy. This was an ivf pregnancy and we've been through a fair bit to get to this stage. But at the same time, don't want to be overly precious about it - what do you think??? I just can't decide what to do.......thanks x

I would definitely go, since you will have a relaxing holiday once you are there.

Obviously the usual tips apply: you know the best way to keep your little one amused - e.g. taking plenty of familiar food and snacks with you (particularly for the queues), stickers or new magazine or something. If she is not a good walker or is a bolter in queues, then definitely take pushchair all the way to the plane so you won't have to carry her at all.

I'm not quite in the same situation as you, but I flew back from Geneva at 22 weeks pregnant with my two year old in May. We spent a lot of time riding the escalators, which she thought was great fun, but what I then discovered once we got "airside" was that Geneva airport had a "nursery" for under 5s, which was basically a big children's playroom with loads of toys, books, slides, play kitchens etc etc. It was really tucked away, and hardly anyone was using it. We were only there for about 15 mins before we had to go and get to the flight, I don't know if Heathrow has anything similar, but might be worth checking their website. If I'm in the situation again, I'd be straight up there for as long as possible before the flight.

Have a lovely time!

Go, but ask someone helpful looking to take your case off the carousel, and put it on your trolley for you. Even complete strangers will be happy to oblige if you explaine nicely you are PG.

I was told by my consultant, after heavy bleeding, I could go to bed and rest if I wanted to, but if I was going to miscarry I was going to miscarry, and whether I rested ,or ran around like a loon, would really make no difference.

Thank you - thats reassuring to hear. To be honest my gut feeling is to go for it, i'm just being put off because my parents don't think I should! Your post made me laugh as you summed my daughter up in one - yes she is a bolter in queues so i'm quite concerned about security. The second I take her out of her pushchair to put it through security she'll be gone! I flew with my husband a few months ago with her and we found it stressful with two of us!!!!! But can a few hours of stress really jeopardise a pregnancy???

I'd also recommend that you inform your insurance company & ensure that you are covered for anything pregnancy-related -just in case

In that case (re: the bolting) this might be an occasion for reins, or a wrist strap "lead" thing, or something, even if it's not something you would usually use.

And lots of bribes, distractions, etc - just do whatever it takes to get you through it in the least stressful way possible, even if its not your usual parenting approach.

And give yourself plenty of time to get to the gate, so you can go at her pace and don't get stressed when she decides she has to lie down on every floor-painted advert between the departure lounge and the gate (I talk from experience!).

Cheerypip, that has totally made me laugh!! I actually do have reigns. I don't use them all the time, but this will definitely be a time that is necessary. The only problem is that if she doesn't want them on then she is very likely to start shouting and screaming and thrashing about. Better that I suppose than running off. I just don't cope that well on my own in public with a child that's melting down. I find it mortifying and think that everyone is looking and thinking what a dreadful child and a parent who hasn't got a clue!!! I think i'll just take chocolate treats, the ipad, dummies (which she loves but only EVER has at night) etc etc. I have also found out that there is a soft play are airside in Terminal 1 so that might help. But all your posts are definitely encouraging me to go. Thank you!