Flying UK-Africa at 28 weeks - advice?

[OhGood]

Hey all - I am considering a long, long flight home with a 7-hour stop in Nairobi each way. At least 17-ish hours travel total. Oh and I will have DD, 3, with me, and no DH.

I will be 28 weeks. Anyone done similar and have any advice? Was it OK, or did you feel that long flight this late in pregnancy affected you?

Well Africa is a rather large place, depends where :)

I flew to South Africa at 26 and back at 30 weeks and had no problems at all, flight was no more uncomfortable than it usually is. Should add I have had absolutely no problems with my pregnancy and MW was more than happy for me to go,

Get some flights socks, drink lots of liquids on the flight, walk around every 30 minutes, make sure you leave enough time at the airport (including the connecting flight) so you can take your time getting to gates etc.

Make sure you get the best travel insurance money can buy covering not only you but also premature labour and costs of the baby should he/she come sooner. This is probably the most important. Make very sure of your conditions and double check EVERY possible scenario with them. Take your maternity notes with you when you go and check the nearest good hospital should you need it.

I travelled very long haul at 30 and back at 32 weeks.

I made the stopover longer (overnight) so I could go to a hotel and have a rest.

I wore compression stockings.

Had a note from mw.

Do NOT scrimp on the water you buy at the airport - dehydration causes contractions and the tiny glasses they give you on the plane are not enough to keep you properly hydrated.

I had fairly strong braxton hicks on the way back, but was with dh who could deal with 3yo ds1, which helped. I'm sure I would have coped if he hadn't been there though.

ladymia Zimbabwe, to see my family.

Pleased to hear you have found it to be OK. Friend of mine passed out at 28 weeks on a flight to Spain which has put the fear into me.

discrete the stopover is not really an option which is a shame. Idea of fighting my way in/out of Nairobi on my own too exhausting, never stayed there before.

Could you not go via Jo'berg? I'm in South Africa and wouldn't be too concerned about flying home at 28 weeks, but think it would be nicer to stop over here (and safer if anything happened?).

I think you'll be fine to travel, there is a pilot who posts about flying in pregnancy if you do a search and I think if you take plenty of fluids and use compression stockings you'll be ok.

I grew up in Nairobi, if you have airport-hotel transport and accommodation sorted there you'll most likely stay somewhere nice and it will be pretty smooth. You could check on getting an ayah (nanny) to look after your dd for a few hours in nairobi to give you a chance to have a sleep/rest.

I would sort out pick up/drop off with your hotel as getting taxis at the airport used to be a bit overwhelming (altho I think this has improved in recent years).

Weather will be gorgeous this time of year and most likely whereever you are staying will have a pool and nice garden. Enjoy

Make sure you have health insurance/travel insurance. If you have any issues go to Nairobi or Aga Khan Hospital - bothh are excellent

If it's Zim, check the hospital situation and again mention to the Travel insurance company that's where you are going.

lots of good advice - thank you. And more importantly no 'I passed out/gave birth/etc' scary things, so maybe not that common.

mrsmellow it's sooooooooo expensive via JHB. Did it as a treat to see friends there last time but just can't afford it with maternity leave coming up.

firsttimer I love Jomo Kenyatta, one of my favourite airports must see more of Kenya than the airport one day...but I am really not sure how relaxing it will be to trek to hotel, settle crazy toddler, tek back to airport next day, all on my own. Despite gorgeous weather

In Zim, they check your letter from your doctor giving you permission to fly if you are even vaguely pregnant. Was quite surprised.

Airports not far out of town so journey wont take too long. I would investigate/consider the option of getting a little childcare so you can have a rest. Pack your DDs swimsuit in hand luggage - chances are she can splash about in a baby pool while you watch from side. Unless its an overnight stay. In which case pack an alram clock to make sure you gte up on time!

OhGood I really was doubting flying to SA and back but you're no more at risk being pregnant than not being pregnant. You will get a lot of people telling you not to do it but I think very few people that have actually done it will tell you they won't do it again. I certainly would again.

I was always more concerned about the hospitals etc on the other side, the flying wasn't too much of an issue for me really.

I did this when pregnant with DS (living in Kampala, working in Juba, flew home to UK at 35 weeks for labour) and getting ready to do the same as pregnant with DC2 and will be flying home alone with DS. Agree with all the advice on the actual flying, it's just knackering also looking after a 3 year old alone so think carefully about flight times, what you do the day before etc.

There are hotels v close to the airport which you can get to; going through immigration in JKA is fast and cheap (or if you have time get a visa in advance then you just waft through). There are Airport shuttle buses, and people generally much nicer about/to kids. Only thing is thatbthe traffic is terrible, so if its daytime journeys, really leave enough time. If you really don't want to go out, buy /scrounge entry to the Kenya airways lounge as its a lot more comfortable than the rest of the airport.

The flying will be fine but 7h at nairobi airport won't be. I had to endure 4 when on honeymoon. If during the day get a taxi to take you to the elephant orphanage- definitely the stand out tourist attraction in Kenya. That'll give you some exercise and will help pass the time. Prob about 40 mins away in good traffic.

OP really sorry this is off topic but I just wanted to say that you have made me SO jealous. I would love a trip to Zim as miss it and my family so much.
I hope you have a great time if you decide to go and the weather will most def be heaps better. hugs