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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Travelling when 31 weeks preggers

23 replies

amyagnew · 28/09/2013 09:38

My boyfriend is keen to go on a 'baby moon' (weird phrase he picked up in the US meaning final holiday before our first baby is born) at Xmas when I'll be 31 weeks pregnant. He's thinking somewhere hot and subsequently far-flung like South Africa. I'm always up for a holiday and he has BA points so I think we'd be able to fly business class. But I'm worried that at 31 weeks pregnant I will just want to stay in the uk and nest before the baby is born. Also, I assume I won't be that mobile. I work full time and will continue to do so right up to the birth, due on 3 march. Xmas feels like my only time to get things sorted. I realise this is very much a #firstworldproblem kind of predicament but any advice would be gratefully received: do I go on hols or nest in the uk?

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Shellywelly1973 · 28/09/2013 09:44

I'd go on holiday!

Its so difficult to get away once you have dc.

Start early so everything is resdy for the baby. 31 weeks is ok. Big but not hideously so, like 38!

Enjoy!!

Anothermrssmith · 28/09/2013 09:45

Loving your boyfriend!

Can see why your concerned though, I went to Cape Town years ago and it's a long 14 hour flight, even in business class that's going to be hell at 31 weeks. Plus would you even be able to fly by then? If it were me I would absolutely go away but stick closer to home, i would find a luxury hotel not too far from home with a nice spa and get some luxury and pampering.

Shellywelly1973 · 28/09/2013 09:47

Very good advice from the previous poster!

greentshirt · 28/09/2013 09:58

Does it have to be at Xmas? Why not go before then when it will be easier for you?

I had loads of travel booked when I found out I was pregnant, just been to Cyprus, going to Poland in a few weeks and finally New York at 20 weeks. Tbh, if I could have cancelled any of them I would, I don't think I would have booked them if I had known I was pregnant.

I'd stick much closer to home if I were you

greentshirt · 28/09/2013 10:00

Just checked nhs website and they say after 28 weeks the airline might require a doctors note to allow you to fly.

I'd also consider what country you are going to and what the care might be like if anything happened. I've checked my insurance after reading a horror story on here about the medical bills after someone gave birth early in the USA

squifflybobs · 28/09/2013 10:01

I emigrated at 31 weeks pregnant. It involved 2 12 hour flights ( we had a stop off in the US for a few days). I found it ok, although had a v straightforward pregnancy and was not that big at the time of the flights. The airline was great, and no problems at check in or immigration ( most airlines have a cut off for travelling at 32/33 weeks and some are 28)

However, you do need to check your travel insurance carefully. Most standard policies only go up to 28 weeks, and then only cover the mother not the baby ( and care for a prem at 31 weeks would be expensive...) . I took out a specialist policy which covered both of us up to 33 weeks and cost a few hundred gbp. I only did it because we were moving abroad and couldn't wait until post birth. However if holiday largely paid for it might be worth it!

Good luck- I can PM you the insurance co details if you interested.

mikkii · 28/09/2013 10:03

Remember tat after 28 weeks you will require a fit to fly letter/certificate from the doctor to fly. They can be a bit awkward about this. We timed our holiday return with DC2 to 28 weeks -1day for exactly thus reason!

MildredH · 28/09/2013 10:09

I'm 31 weeks now and just back from our "final fling" holiday. Only went to Europe for 3 nights back to our honeymoon location.

It was lovely to get away and spend quality time together. We really appreciated the fact it was our final opportunity to bumble around just us without any responsibility.

The only caveat is I did find the travelling knackering which took me by surprise as I'd felt pretty great up til then and had a very uncomplicated pregnancy.

I would suggest thinking through any travelling plans- try not to have late night/ very early flights.

I was also very grateful to have booked a relaxing type hol in a nice spa hotel.

As others have said though- grab the opportunity and go for it but make it pregnancy friendly!

squifflybobs · 28/09/2013 10:20

Yes to doc's cert also, that was a condition of my insurance. It also had to be dated within a certain number of days of the flight( can't remember how many,possibly 7, but wasn't an issue for us as stopover was only a few days and we were going 1 way) If you were going away for a fortnight, you might need to arrange a check up whilst abroad as well- might be more difficult to guarantee a doc will sign you off in a different healthcare system. But sure it might still be possible with a bit of advance planning

I'm sure I read a story about a woman going on holiday to the med, and easyjet wouldn't let her on return leg without another doctors cert. She couldn't get a GP to sign her off, they insisted she go to a specialist which was going to cost a fortune. So she ended up hiring a car and driving back. Ok from Italy, maybe not so good from South Africa! Caveat, I can't remember the source of this, it might have been the DM

rallytog1 · 28/09/2013 10:44

I'm not sure I'd go long haul at 31 weeks. Think you'll just find it incredibly tiring and possibly a bit uncomfortable.

Why not spend the same money and go somewhere uber-luxurious in this country or in Europe?

Either way, it's definitely a great idea to have a babymoon. Just make sure it's somewhere you feel comfortable with, so you can properly relax and enjoy it.

honey86 · 28/09/2013 16:52

i flew at 31 weeks from spain back home. but south africa isnt a good idea... way too long haul with the risk of dvt etc... but ultimately up to u... but i most certainly advise against xmas time. the airports will be horrendous. and thats even if it doesnt snow :/

Original poster

amyagnew · 28/09/2013 19:46

Thank you so much for all the advice! This is my first thread on mumsnet and I'm amazed at the response. Holiday it is - and totally agree that not doing a long haul flight is best. Thanks ladies!

OP posts:

TransatlanticCityGirl · 28/09/2013 19:52

We flew to Jamaica for our babymoon at 28-29 weeks. We easily got a note from my midwife. It was about a 10 hour flight if I remember right, no issues at all, and not at all uncomfortable. And we flew economy.

You have very low expectations of yourself if you think you will be immobile at 31 weeks. At that point in time I was still going to the gym 2 times per week plus pre natal pilates classes. I had slowed down by then but didn't consider my mobility limited enough to not enjoy a holiday until I was.... oh wait that never happened!

Emigrated · 29/09/2013 03:50

everyone's different, I'd have been v uncomfortable flying at 31 weeks although business class would make a difference! I would avoid countries where you'll need vaccinations and get great insurance! We went away at 22 weeks and it was s lovely thing to do.

PistachioTruffle · 29/09/2013 06:39

I wouldn't personally feel comfortable travelling that far, I'm almost 30 weeks and starting to get a bit fed up travelling 20 minutes in the car, and that's with what has so far been a very straightforward pregnancy where I feel really well!
A gorgeous hotel within Europe sounds lovely though.

The other thing is I have become intolerant of hot weather since I've been pregnant, which as a bit of a sun seeker came as a shock! It might not apply to you, but I'm really pleased we hadn't booked a holiday to hot destination as I just wouldn't have enjoyed it.

Iheartcrunchiebars · 29/09/2013 06:48

Definitely take the holiday but I'd go before 31 weeks (getting a note is easy but just in case your blood pressure is slightly raised you don't want to end up worrying). Also South Africa would mean vaccinations and (I think) malaria tablets so might not be ideal. Lastly I was 31 weeks in the summer and found the mild heat in the uk quite unbearable, make sure you get air con.

Ps will he consider taking me too?

Eastpoint · 29/09/2013 06:59

I think it depends on how fit you are generally - I was still running at 29 weeks & went to Anguilla with my DH. We had a lovely trip. You won't need anti-malarials everywhere in South Africa, we went to Madikwe which is malaria free & to somewhere in the wetlands on the east coast. An advantage of going to SA is the minimal time change.

Jenijena · 29/09/2013 07:06

It 'depends' but I'd go for something swish and European. I went to Amsterdam at 32/33 weeks and was glad to have a hotel where I could snooze in the afternoons.

LittlePeaPod · 29/09/2013 07:40

Hi Op,

Oh thats great Op. . You will definitely need to check with your travel insurer that thy will cover you for any potential pregnancy related medical needs. Some start refusing cover to women at 30 weeks or more. Also if you travel BA business then you need to be aware that they currently restrict travel beyond end of 36 weeks and for multiple beyond 32 weeks. They also insist on a medical certificate if you have entered your 28th week. If you go on their website it tells you specifically what the medical certificate needs to say.

Only point I would make is we flew Ethiad business (similar layout to BA business) at 25 weeks to Seychells and even with extra leg room and flat bed its still a little uncomfortable. So you may need to consider how a long haul flight may be at 31 weeks. Also get some advice on DVT if you are flying direct because its about 12/13 hour flight.

Enjoy Op and congratulations.

LittlePeaPod · 29/09/2013 07:42

P.S, I am still fit and exercise 4/5 times a week and have only put 8lb on at 26 weeks but the flight still affected.

eurochick · 29/09/2013 07:43

I was going to say think about vaccinations and anti malarials if you are considering long haul but I see another poster has already mentioned that.

claraschu · 29/09/2013 07:48

I flew to the US at 32 weeks and back from there at 36. The airline only banned flying in the last month. No one asked any questions, and it was fine for me. Maybe I was an idiot, but it was my third child and I wanted to go.

quackojuliet · 29/09/2013 14:58

Down to the individual really. I find travelling exhausting pregnant or not so the long flight etc would piss me off tbh. Dh and I would row etc, it wouldn't be relaxing for me. A uk based spa hotel, on the other hand would be amazing. Imagine massage, pool, walks, dinner, tv mmmmmm I just sound so lazy ha! I am

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