Flying to Isles Of Scilly 31 weeks pregnant

[rolypolybird84]

Hello all

Was wondering after seeing another post...

I'm going to Isles of Scilly when I will be 31/32 weeks pregnant. On the way out I'm going on the boat which takes a couple if hours and they're not bothered about that! But on the way back for the extremely short flight on the skybus they want a Dr note to say I'm fit to fly.

A quick look at my dr website tells me they want £35(!) for the note!!!

I'm very tempted to not bother as it's not long haul, I'm not going to an exotic location and it's literally a few minutes in the air. What do people think? Would I be refused onto the plane?

I don't want to be irresponsible but not clear what purpose the note serves? Happy to get it if there is medical reason e.g does altitude affect pregnancy? I suspect the skybus doesn't get to 25,000 feet!!!

My pregnancy is straightforward so far so good...

Look forward to hearing your thoughts! Thanks!

You might find that the airline will carry you on such a short flight regardless.

But you'll need to check with them.

The rules on when you need a note are based on WHO advice, and some airlines are inflexible.

The skybus people want a note from week 28-36.

Up to and including 27 weeks it is absolutely fine without any restrictions.

Was thinking I might just say I'm only 27 weeks?

The thing is I am getting the boat over to the island and they don't need anything for that leg of the journey at all. And the boat is hours in the middle of the sea whilst the flight is short!!!

If I was to return on the boat they don't require a note.

The flying is the return leg so if I go into labour I'm going in the right direction?

Is there something inherently risky about flying whilst pregnant?

Most airlines require a standard type form which can be signed by a midwife or a doctor, it just confirms the EDD and that you're having a normal, healthy pregnancy. It's not that there's a big risk in flying, it just costs a lot to divert an airliner if a woman goes into labour onboard.

Will they accept a midwife's letter? I wouldn't risk being refused travel without it

Firstly, I am SUPER jealous of your trip. I won't wax lyrical about Scilly as it will probably out me, but have a wonderful time rolypolybird.

My memory of Skybus is that it's 30 minutes if that, though it does depend on the destination airport. You'd have to try really, really hard to have a baby on there.

Personally I would ring them and, as others have said, check if a midwife's letter will do. I once called to say we were running late, terrified that we would be turned away, and the Skybus person said "oh, don't worry, we're running a bit late too, there's only 8 of you to fly so we won't go without you".

Or is there a friendly GP who, when you tell them about how long the flight is, would write you something on the back of an envelope, so to speak?

I think you'd probably get away with doing up your coat and saying you're only 27 weeks. On the ground, I don't think the folk are that fussed. But I think there are other ways around it that won't require £££ and will cover you.

You wouldn't want to be turned away when you get to the gate...

Thank you everybody for your replies! You are right I definitely don't want to risk not being allowed on! Perhaps I will ask the midwife although annoyingly went today and forgot in my excitement of hearing the heartbeat!

before I am super excited about going - everybody keeps telling me how wonderful it is! Worth the £25 I expect...

Thanks again x x x

Are you sure about the boat. I only ask because I had to cancel a cross channel ferry trip because Brittany ferries would not take me beyond 28 weeks and anyone presenting themselves with a bump would need to prove they were less than this, no exceptions. i think the point was it would be very expensive to send a helicopter to get me if I did go into labour. On the other hand what can go wrong in a through30m flight?!!