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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

How comfortable was travelling in later pregnancy?

31 replies

HomeIsWhereTheGinIs · 29/12/2013 12:05

I wonder if any mums might be able to help me? I'm 12 weeks and looking to plan a couple of holidays before the baby arrives at the beginning of July. We're currently thinking of doing a proper two week long haul holiday in the next month or so and then a couple of short haul weekends later on. I can cope with the long haul as I've been quite lucky with symptoms so far and don't feel too bad. But I wonder, at what point in your pregnancy would you not have wanted to fly for a couple of hours for the weekend? I'm curious to find out (if possible) at what point I should start planning to swear off travelling. My consultant has given me the go ahead by the way, as I'm low risk. He says it's up to me. Any thoughts? Thank you!

OP posts:

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Peacenquiet2 · 29/12/2013 12:26

Hi op, i cant actually advice for traveling late in pg as i havnt been that far in any of my pgs toward the end. But what i can say is that i went to watch a panto at 29 weeks last week that lasted 2.5 hrs and from about an hour in i was very uncomfortable sat in my seat and that was with an option to get up and go if i really needed to. I was like you in the early weeks and didnt suffer symptoms so i flew short haul at ten weeks and could have managed long haul easily in hindsight.
Now i at 30 weeks i wouldnt dream of it as i would dread sitting for so long.
However everyone is different, someone may come along and say they traveled long haul later on no problems.
I think if you do decide to do it wait until as last min as possible so you have a better idea how you are feeling at that time as things can change quickly at any point.

stargirl1701 · 29/12/2013 12:28

Not at all. And, I wanted to be close to my hospital just in case.

Alibabaandthe40nappies · 29/12/2013 12:30

I wouldn't want to book flights for any later than about 25 weeks.

DH and I had a couple of nice weekends away later on in my first pregnancy, but we stayed in the UK and relatively close to home, and drove.

Cariad007 · 29/12/2013 12:42

I did a 2 hour flight when I was 16 weeks pregnant with no problem. Got an exit row seat which helped. Airlines generally don't give them to pregnant women but I wasn't showing at the time and anyway, I'd still be of much more use in the event of an emergency than the OAPs who usually occupy those seats! Did a 4 hour flight when I was about 24 weeks and that wasn't too comfortable but that was mainly down to lack of leg room rather than being pregnant! No more holidays planned until baby arrives in Feb, though I'm contemplating Australia with him next Oct. 20 hours on a plane with a baby isn't going to be easy but it'll be easier than with a toddler and I'll have my mum at the other end to take him off my hands!

Ilovekittyelise · 29/12/2013 12:44

its a very individual thing. personally i would probably do most things up to about 6 months, but if you have not been pregnant before there are things that you could be causing difficulty at that stage of pregnancy. for example you could have really bad spd and be very uncomfortable, or your placenta could be low lying and cause bleeding, or waters could break early. not trying to frighten you but i probably wouldnt go outside of europe at all as a result of these low likelihood yet high impact risks.

i was just looking online at some lovely uk cottage holidays many with indoor pools spas etc....pm me if you would like details!

also, we really miss city breaks, spa breaks etc now we have children, would recommend taking in about 10 years worth while you have the chance1

Plateofcrumbs · 29/12/2013 12:48

Watching with interest as considering a long haul flight at 5-6 months.

MumOfTheMoos · 29/12/2013 12:55

I flew to India when I was around 25 weeks but it was business class so I got to lie down flat all the way there.

I wouldn't want to do any flying later than that, the seats just aren't big enough unless you're in business class. I just needed to get up and move about all the time.

rachyconks · 29/12/2013 12:57

Went to Ibiza at 30 weeksin first pg. 2.5 hour flight. Went to Tenerife at 24 weeks this time 4.5 hour flight. Both totally fine and I have had some hip and back pain both times. Just got up and walked about if I was stiff. I would do it as you won't get the chance when baby arrives (well it won't be the same).

PuppyMummy · 29/12/2013 13:26

were flying to a few different places in Europe, ill be 26 weeks. thats our last planned thing til baby comes!

Spannah01 · 29/12/2013 13:39

I did a long haul, 12 hour flight, when I was about 32 weeks in my last pregnancy. It was fine, the crew took extra care of me and made sure I was super comfy. But then I live aboard and have to do this flight at least twice a year. I remember thinking that that would be my last flight alone and to try and enjoy it as much as possible.
I was contemplating flying home for this Christmas, but decided that flying for that length of time, with a toddler and being 30 weeks again was pushing it a little

Original poster

HomeIsWhereTheGinIs · 29/12/2013 14:20

Hmm. Interesting variations. Thank you all for your input! I'm not really worried about staying close to my hospital as I'm confident I'd get good medical care anywhere in Western Europe if I needed it. But I take on board the points about sitting for a really long time. And once you're 40,000 feet up, having to grin and bear it would be a bit of a pain. I think I'll look to keep flights relatively short after about seven months. Thank you all again, this is very helpful! I'm going to pootle off to look for somewhere short haul that will be warm in April or may then!

OP posts:

KenDoddsDadsDog · 29/12/2013 14:21

I travelled at 28 weeks for a fortnight holiday. Was fine on the flight but it was bloody difficult getting flight socks off

MarlenaGru · 29/12/2013 14:28

I flew at 24 weeks for 12 hours last time I was pregnant and mainly found sitting still excruciating. I think airlines have restrictions from about 28 weeks and insist on a doctor's note.

I am trying to think of somewhere to go for half term or Easter that isn't too far, will have options for a 5 year old and won't break the bank in school holidays.

Oh and flying with a baby under 6 months is easy peasy. Flying with a toddler from about 1-2 years is every level of hell! From about 3 they can plug into a film and it becomes easy again.

MissMedusa · 29/12/2013 15:39

Make sure you have cancellation insurance. I'm 19+5 and am supposed to be in Hawaii right now but couldn't go due to complications.

schokolade · 29/12/2013 17:40

I second cancellation insurance. I had to cancel a flight at 16 weeks due to unexpected complications.

Don't forget your compression stockings if you go!

Alibabaandthe40nappies · 29/12/2013 19:04

7 months? Make sure you have really good insurance then. You may be covered, but your baby may not automatically be covered by your British nationality depending on where you go, and your husband's costs for hotels etc to be near to you will again vary depending on your travel insurance policy. Most airlines want a 'fit to fly' certificate from your GP after about 30 weeks - again it varies from airline to airline and depends on where you are going.
You will get good care, but it may not be the care you expect. For example France have a very different approach to maternity care to Britain, it is far more medicalised, and unless you have a very good grasp of the language then you would struggle to get your viewpoint across.

I know more than one person who has had to cancel a weekend jaunt to Paris or Brussels booked for around the 32-34 week mark because they've either had the baby very early or been in hospital already with pre-eclampsia or other complications.

If you want to go on a holiday, why wait until so close to your due date if you don't have to?

I'm really not trying to scaremonger, just be realistic. You are still at the stage in your pregnancy where nothing has changed and it is naturally hard to imagine how you will feel further down the line.

MrsM2013 · 29/12/2013 19:08

Well I'm off to Cyprus at 34 weeks for my sisters wedding (assuming all well of course). I know it's not going to be comfy but wouldn't miss the wedding for the sake of 4 hours being a bit squished.
Don't forget flight socks everyone!

littlehelp · 29/12/2013 20:12

Hi I travelled at 35 weeks to Hungary in the car all the way for a week (dog show lol) then did the 24 hr drive home no problem but was very pleased to get home

Julietee · 29/12/2013 20:41

I'm now 32 weeks and have recently developed this thing where sitting back - like in a car seat - will randomly make me feel like crap. Like, breathing gets harder and I feel like I'm going to pass out. Sometimes it happens, sometimes not. I wouldn't want to take the gamble.

So yeah - no flying here! The point is that pregnancy is full of neat little surprises like that, and you just don't know which ones are going to affect you until they do.

stephie0611 · 29/12/2013 21:07

Were already booked to go to vegas in march which was booked months ago. So will be about 18 weeks pregnant then at an 11 hour flight. Anybody had any experience this far on with a long haul?

Jenbee1 · 29/12/2013 21:12

I'm 8 weeks and have just got off a 2 1/2 hr flight. I've had no symptoms so far but the turbulence, cramped ness and temperature made me feel awful

MrsVDB · 29/12/2013 21:38

We did Bali (about 24 hours flight) at 5/6 months and was fine. Now 37w and I'm sure flight would be fine but wouldn't be up for much walking around etc at other end. I'd wait and see how you feel

SarahSPT · 30/12/2013 03:34

I flew to Thailand (12hrs) at 13 weeks which was fine. Am 17 weeks now and have been on various long bus journeys of 7 to 12hrs. I've felt fine as long as I've been able to get up whenever I've wanted to have a stretch - make sure you get an aisle seat so as not to annoy the person next to you! And as others said, wear compression socks - very fashionable and oh so attractive

JollySantersSelectionBox · 30/12/2013 03:57

Did LA when I was 6 months. All great but I did fly Virgin Premium Economy so had a really comfy seat!

The only issue I remember was that DS was totally out of sync. So he was rolling around like a trapped fish in the middle of the night and I found it hard to sleep with all that commotion in my womb. I kept waking up hungry too.

TransatlanticCityGirl · 30/12/2013 04:49

We flew to Jamaica with DC1 when I was 28 weeks pregnant - no problem at all, just needed a letter from midwife to confirm I was low risk.

Recently got back from Canada at 22 weeks with DC2. Barely even remembered I was pregnant while travelling.

We're planning one more short haul trip in March when I will be 30-32 weeks (in the Canaries, probably). It's having a toddler that ruled out long haul, not late pregnancy!

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