Flying overseas at 32weeks, anyone done it? What about insurance?

[honeybunny]

Planning a 1 week holiday to the caribbean for some much needed R+R before baby number 2 arrives. Grandparents have kindly agreed to babysit for our son while we are away. Just wondered if anyone has flown when over 32weeks pregnant? Our insurance company has a 32week cut off point. Are there any insurance companies out there who will extend this by even one week? Typically cant get flights or husband holiday time earlier than this date, hence the advanced pregnant state. Leaving it to the last minute as usual! Any tips gratefully received.
Incidently, 1st pregnancy went on to 42 +2days and had to be induced even then, and fortunately no pregnancy complications such as pre-eclampsia to worry about so I should theoretically be safe to travel. My bump is (and was last time) very small so I could just wing it, but would like to be covered none the less.

We went to Ibiza first week in Sept and she was born on Nov 12 (due 21). I think we just had the normal insurance. It was a wonderful break as it was full board with a creche for our little boy. I wasn't very comfy on the plane though and that was for only 2 hrs 30 mins! R.

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I saw a warning this week that pregnant women are much more at risk of DVT when they fly, so it's worth thinking about that, as well.

Presumably, if you give birth abroad without insurance you are liable for the costs, which could be considerable, with a premature 32 week baby, and you could be in for a long, expensive stay before he/she was fit enough to fly home.

Honeybunny I was about 30 weeks pregnant when i went on prearranged holiday to the carribean. I know we are all different and you might really love it but I would not recommend it. The flight was oppressively long, (my feet swelled and I could hardly get my shoes on)and I did feel it was a waste of what to us was an expensive holoiday/ It was an all inclusive deal and I could not partake of a lot of the activities and alcohol.I had really looked forward to it, had no qualms at all about going but ended up being quite homesick and not really enjoying it, although the resort was really lovely.
As for going without adequate insurance cover, please don't even conside this. The only reason for having insurance is in case you need to claim. If you conceal the fact you are 32+ weeks pregnant even if you are insured the policy will be worthless if you find yourself needing medical treatment.
Have you considered something in the UK ( I am assuming that's where you live) such as a castle in Scotland for a few days?

Now I really don't know what to do! I really fancied just lying on a beach, enjoying some much needed sunshine and totally relaxing for a week. We had thought about the UK/Ireland, but the idea of being holed up indoors for a week because of the weather leaves me cold. Likewise "site-seeing" at 31-32weeks pregnant. For those who were really uncomfortable flying at 30-36weeks even for 2 hours, can I ask, if its not too personal, were you especially big or having particularly big babies? Was it just the sheer lack of space on a chartered flight? I'm a size 8 normally and at 20 weeks have yet to reach the 9stone mark. I really am quite petite, and was lucky not to suffer from swollen feet/indigestion/heartburn etc last time. I was hoping that this will be an action replay. I have managed a 5hour trip down to Devon to see the in-laws whilst very pregnant and 4hours to Somerset (Fri night out of London... nightmare as usual) at 38weeks plus without breaks, even driving myself!
Can anyone recommend some reliable winter sun, with some exclusivity and pampering? I absolutely refuse to go back to the Canaries yet again. I flew there at 18weeks pregnant with my ds and loathed it. The flights were fine, there and to Tuscany later on at 28weeks.

honeybunny, it would be a good idea to go somewhere within the EU if you do go into labour, don't forget to get one of those forms, is it an E1-11?

When do you plan on going? R.

Just booked my dream caribbean destination, and managed to squeeze it in in Feb, when I shall be 27-28weeks pregnant, so feeling much more confident about it. Saved a packet too, by booking direct with the hotel and saving 10% on BA flights because I'm a shareholder(a very small one). Direct flights, 1st choice of hotel, the original dates planned and a saving of £1000, can't be bad. Just hope that it lives up to my expectations. Thanks everyone for their comments. Anyone got anything positive to say about holidaying overseas whilst pregnant? Any top travelling tips?

Honeybunny you can be as personal as you like! It is along time since I was anywhere near a size eight and the last time I was nine stone was bout three years prior to the conception! I am not a reckless fatty or anything but it does sound as if you will have more room to manoever in your seat on the plane than I had!
28 weeks pregnant is not so bad!
Have a wonderful time!

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I had to go on a business trip at 32 weeks but it was only a short haul flight. The funny thing was I got all these letters from my doctor and checked the work insurance situation etc. etc & no-one from the airline even noticed I was pregnant!!!!
I think you do need to be more careful about long-haul because of the dvt risk.
Wherever you go honeybunny, I hope you have a lovely time.

I've checked with BA re pregnancy and they're happy for pregnant women up to 36weeks to fly as long as they have a letter from gp/obstr re EDD and confirmed fit to fly. Our holiday insurance with BMA Services covers all pregnancy related probs up until 32 weeks so I'm fine there too. Hubby will be "borrowing" some TED stockings from a friendly ward sister at work, and of course I'll drink plenty, avoid all alcohol, and having pre-booked my aisle seat, move around as much as possible. Oxygen levels on board are slightly lower than normal atmosphere so I'm told, so that's why some people feel much more tired on flights, especially if their diaphragm is compromised by a wee one, so I'll practice some deep breathing exercises. Anything I've forgotten?? A good book, a large bottle of water and a snack or two in hand luggage, I think! I'm counting down the days. Just hope ds forgives my abandonment! and G'ma copes ok. I'm sooo excited! First big holiday in ages.

Anyone got any thoughts on what they would never travel without?

Earplugs. The yellow squashy foam ones you poke right in your ear. Places other than home have unfamiliar sounds and I find it hard to tune out. Also, dh snores more loudly if he has been drinking, which is more likely on holiday!

Excellent idea. Been sleeping really badly lately because of that very thing. dh snoring bigtime. That and getting up for a pee more times than I care to mention and a very snotty and chesty 1yr old wanting comforting between 2am and 4am for the last 4nights. I'll definitely be needing this holiday, and taking up every offer of all inclusive stress busting treatments. Body massages, scalp rejuvenation treatments, foot massages, yoga classes, I CAN'T WAIT!! Thanks for that tip, Jasper.

I buy the Boots Muffles earplugs. They come in a small pale blue box. You warm them in your hand and split into two and push gently into your ear, wait until they're really warmed up and then push in further. If you can 'hear' your pulse start again!

They are great for noisy hotels and snoring husbands! R.

I travelled to California last year when I was 27/28 weeks pregnant (Virgin's cutoff without a doctor's note apparently) and everything was fine, except I perhaps overdid it and felt queasy for a couple of days after getting there (jetlag normally affects me v badly going west, unlike most people). I had one of those annual insurance plans which provided ample cover. I also took my medical notes with me and phoned the midwife once to check on some symptoms. I also took some low-dose aspirin to reduce the risk of dvt but guidelines seem to be changing on this all the time. The flight staff tried to make me as comfy as possible - bringing me my own large bottle of water, extra cushions etc - but in reality I spent much of the flight walking up & down as I couldn't get comfy. In retrospect the distance was a little too far for comfort, a flight of up to 4 hours might have been better.

Some of you are so miserable - Honneybunny's actually bookes up and you're still giving gloom & doom tales....?

Anyway - Honneybunny - you MUST have a tube of moisturiser & a lip balm on you. The dry atmosphere makes my shin sting so badly. I was almost crying on a long-haul flight once, my face was so sore.

Have you got a bikini, if you don't mind me asking? I enjoyed getting the warm sun on my belly on my roof terrace, thinking no one could see me, and the estate agents chose that afternoon to take round loads of people to the empty house (and roof terrace) next door. I was a healthy (and enormous 38 weeks at the time!)

Have a great time & stock up on some sleep! Good luck with number 2.

Thanks Monkey! Definitely agree with that tip too. My lips are permanently cracked and dry during pregnancy no matter the amt I drink or time of year. At least I wont have my ds with me to fight over the lippy, its his favourite tipple at the moment...swipe the chapstick and then swallow the lot before mummy gets it back. I've got some Eliz Arden 8hr protection stuff (forget full name) which is all ready to go!
Spoke to my Obstetrician last week at my 21/40 scan and check up and she was delighted that I was going off for some r+r and said I needn't worry about low dose aspirin, just plenty of fluids, regular promenades down the aisles!!! and if dh can get hold of TED stockings then go for it. She positively promoted it! So now feeling very relaxed about the whole thing. Just hope ds will be a good boy for his G'ma! He's going through a BIG mummy stage. Very clingy! Hopefully he will have moved on from this phase by mid Feb. Fingers crossed!

I'm off on my holiday next week, still feeling relatively confident about leaving ds, but can I ask you, Jasper, where can I buy new ear plugs (dh snoring doesn't get any better, nor the pregnancy insomnia for that matter), the yellow, squashy kind. Mine are rather yukky and have lost their squashiness ....mmmm delightful! Any ideas?

Hi Honeybunny, I am queen of useless trivia of exactly this nature...Boots sometimes sell them, but the last time I tried they had not the yellow ones but similar ones in a pale brown colour ( like American tan tights)which I bought but they were not quite as good.
The most reliable place I have found for them is gun/sporting goods shops, believe it or not. These are extremely weird places frequented by men in hats leaning on counters smoking cigars and you may get some funny looks .
The other place you usually get them is in the departure lounge of airports, but of course if they don't have them by then it is too late. You can phone in advance to find out. I once phoned Glasgow airport for this very reason and they were very pleasant and helpful and if they thought I was a complete nitwit they had the good grace not to show it.
You can rejuvenate your old yucky ones by washing them in the washing machine - I stick mine in one of the wee string bags you get from the persil tablets packet. Use conditioner in the cycle, squeeze them dry on a towel and hang them on the radiator to dry, squishing them around every so often so they don't dry too hard.
As for missing your ds...I went to Canada for my cousins wedding when my kids were 6m and two and I did not miss them AT ALL!
Have a lovely time.

Just thought you'd like to know that my week in Grenada, all inclusive at La Source Hotel, was absolutely fantastic. No probs with the 9hour flight, although didn't sleep on the return leg, Made the most of the free daily beauty sessions, facials, massage, pedicures etc, and didn't miss the alcohol! Although the cocktails did look to die for! Thought dh would make up for my inability to indulge and overindulge himself, but we were so relaxed after minutes of stepping off the plane, that alcohol was never necessary. Missed ds lots and lots, but he had a great time with g'ma, and hasnt punished me too much for my absence.
If anybody gets the chance, I'd say go for it! It was truely blissful. Oh, and my tan's good too! No-one seemed to mind a 30/40 bump on show in my bikini, so got over that initial embarrassment very quickly. Infact had lots of compliments over how well I looked. Helped by the 10hours sleep every night.
Jasper- ear plugs worked a treat. Only the bladder let me down!! Its my top tip for pregnancy insomnia, sun, sea, relaxation....I could go on (and on!!). Just a shame that its back to cat naps again now that I'm home!

Honeybunny, how jealous am I???!!!! Sounds absolute bliss, I can even hear the waves lapping on the shore, see the sunshine, see the cocktails!! Glad it was soooo successfully and will consider doing something similar in later stages of next pregnancy but were children allowed in your resort (as no-one to really give ours to)??

Glad it was a great success, Honeybunny, and that you are home safe and sound.
You will have some interesting reading to catch up on here at mumsnet!

Janus- unfortunately not. I think the cut off was 16yrs and up only. Made for a very quiet poolside with no unexpected splashes of water. The company are called "Sunswept" - I found them on the net. They have 3 resorts, la source, la sport(St Lucia) and Rendezvous, and all have the ethos, give us your body and we'll give you back your mind!!
You could take the more relaxed approach of daily massages, yoga, tai chi, meditation, stress management classes, or be more active and go for the aerobics, water sports including free diving (most annoying as I do dive, but had to watch hubby go off every day with stories of how that was his best dive ever- we learnt together and up til then had only dived together- still he was on holiday too!) tennis, archery, fencing, golf etc etc.
I can't rate it highly enough! and can't wait to get the chance to go back! Wonder how mum feels about looking after 2!!
Jasper- what has been going on with the talk board!! Seems a few of our number could do with a little stress busting of their own, eh?
How much longer have you got to go now? I'm counting down, but still have at least another 7weeks.

I'm off to St Lucia (ten hours with stop) for half term at 25 weeks pregnant - last chance for sunny holiday with kids before babe etc. Anyone does this sort of trip at this stage? I'm beginning to think I'm potty contemplating such a long flight with two four year olds and a fat tummy?