Shit shit shit - just booked flights without checking properly how far along I'll be...

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So I've just booked flights to go to France for a 70th birthday without properly checking how far along I'll be, but I've now realised that I'll technically be over 34weeks on the return :( I say technically as by my dates (and we only DTD once so I can't have conceived any earlier) I'm due 4th Oct making me 34w exactly on return but by scan they have dated me as due 30th September, so 34+4. I also did an ovulation test so I know I definitely didn't ovulate earlier either so in my head I've been going by my dates not theirs. It wasn't a problem for me until I realised that it puts me over for travel.

I can't admit to DH what I've done yet as he'll blow an absolute gasket so I'm wondering if anyone thinks ill have any success in persuading my midwife to go by my dates when signing a 'fit to fly' letter? Or has anyone flown and managed to not have to hand over the letter? I'll be 32w on the outbound journey if it makes any difference and so I'm hoping that if the letter just states I'll be 32w at time of travel, the checkin assistant won't bother to work out hoe far along I'll be on return. Can't believe I've been so bloody stupid

I was quizzed at JFK (maybe just an American approach!) at 28 weeks....

You may be able to get a fit to fly letter, but it will depend on your pregnancy - I was refused one with DC2 (with good reason - unexplained bleeding, supposed growth issues). If you have genuinely had no problems though a doctor may give you a letter.

Also worth checking the airline's cut-off - I don't think they are all 34 weeks; some are earlier and IIRC some up to 36 weeks.

Yeah a lot of airlines cut off at 36 weeks, but require a fit to fly letter after 28 weeks. I went to Ibiza at 31/32 weeks. No-one questioned me or wanted to see my letter.

i went to malaga at easter, was 32 weeks, nobody had an issue at any stage- not the midwife, the aer lingus staff, nobody. i had a 'fit to fly' letter and wasnt even asked for it!!! felt fine too, although i did need to get up and stroll around every 30 mins on the flight (0nly 2 hours..)

what's the airline policy?

My understanding is that a lot of this depends on the airline. Some airlines are quite strict on cut-off points for flying, whilst others are happy to accept you for a flight provided that you have a letter from your doctor saying you are fit for travel. I would contact the airline asap and see what their policy is before you do anything else. x

What's the airline? Air France let you fly whenever and you don't require a note.

You may be OK, OP.

Airlines use the WHO guidelines which require a letter from 28 weeks and in uncomplicated pregnancies have cut offs of 36 weeks for singletons and 34 for multiples.

Can you ring the airline to check what their policy is?

Thanks for all the replies. We're travelling FlyBe and they require a letter from 28w - "we will welcome you onboard up to the 34th week of pregnancy provided that you have a medical certificate from your doctor stating that you are able to travel by air." So I definitely need one - it's just that does up to 34th week mean no later than 33+6 or within the 34th week (I.e upto 34+6)... I did call the airline earlier today and they were absolutely useless :(

All the airlines have their policy online- you wont have to ring them.
For eg, here is the Aer Lingus policy:

www.aerlingus.com/help/help/specialassistance/#d.en.1328

Also I'm relieved to see that quite a few of you weren't asked to show the letters. This is what I'm banking on!!! I will definitely be fine for the outbound and just hope they don't ask for the return.

Well, i think the main reason i wasnt asked was because a) i probably look about 25 weeks, not 32 and b) the inbound flight was ex Spain- and the spaniards are so laid back they dont give a damn..!!!

Just get the letter and bring it with you- no drama- your doctor will have no issue signing off on it, mine didnt even look at dates or anything, just stamped it!!

I would just risk it. My letter didn't have any dates on it or anything, just that the doctor certified me as ok to fly in pregnancy.

Just get a letter signed off- then fly- nothing more to it!!
why are we overcomplicating it? you are within the regulations, it's fine!!

Problem is Chica is that I'm technically not within regulations if midwife/doctor insist on using EDD from scan...

oh right- my consultant actually asked me to fill in my own dates- i wouldnt worry about it. they dont ask for + days, just the week. I would fill it in and have the midwife sign it/stamp it, she wont even look at the dates most likely.

if you are not feeling up to it closer to the time, you'll have to rethink. or if your pregnancy ends up 'high risk'. i had a v striaght fwd./easy pregnancy (so far!!) so i felt fine doing it..

You'll be fine! Just get a letter - I've flown 7-8 hours up to 36 weeks. Sometimes not even been asked for my letter - but should have one! After 36 weeks it's a lot more difficult!

Kathryn

Can I ask why a person needs such a letter? Is it that flying isn't safe, or that the country you're flying back from dont want you having the baby in ther jurisdiction and claiming residency.

I ask because France being part of the EU presumably wouldn't have an issue with the latter.

Could you get a tran back if the worst came to worst?

Train!!!

I suspect it's because the airline doesn't want the increased risk of an inflight birth or the cost of a diversion.

TSSDNCOP I linked the WHO guidelines earlier in the thread. If you look at the PG section there, it explains why the regulations exist.

Go and get train back if necessary. I got Eurostar at 35 weeks.

As long as you're having an uncomplicated pregnancy just ask your midwife or GP for a fit to fly letter... I went to Cyprus and Greece at 32 and then 35 weeks pregnant and they did me a letter no questions at all... (And I had GD, SPD and had previously had contractions! But they said it was fine... Ended up 2 weeks over anyway!)

My des from my scan is a week different from my edd by dates. My midwife asked me which edd is like when she filled out my MAT B1 form... So I got to choose and then that became my "official" due date. We'd used ovulation sticks and I know my cycle well so I'm pretty sure dates are more reliable than scan... Midwife was happy to use whichever date I preferred! So hopefully you'll have the choice as well, just be insistent that your cycle is regular and you know when you ovulated!

I have just flown back from Spain at 33 weeks. At no point was I asked for the fit to fly letter although I had it.

My midwife wouldn't do it, so I had to ask the GP and pay for it too. They did put the Edd on the letter however I'm sure the airport staff won't be trying to count up number of weeks you are, if they even know how.

The other thing to think about is insurance as our health plan won't cover pregnancy after 28 weeks but our hsbc bank insurance would cover as long as I had the fit to fly letter.