Holiday at 35wks?

[Rabbiting0n]

Hi All,

The in-laws have arranged a large family holiday in the Canary Islands for next spring as part of a celebration for a milestone birthday. The holiday was arranged back in July and the in-laws are paying for accommodation for everyone - we only have to pay flights and expenses.

Now I've found that I'm pregnant and I would be flying at 35 wks (which I can do without a medical certificate because of the airline we are travelling with). My husband wants us to still go. He feels guilty about pulling out and says it'll be an opportunity for me to relax as his family will be able to look after our three year old.

I think the idea is hideous. I don't want to get too hot. I don't want a 5 hour flight (I'm not a good flyer) and I'm concerned because I have epilepsy (which is well-managed) and had a series of seizures at 8 months in with DC1 because of the strain on my body. I'll probably be fine, but I feel like it's not worth taking the risk, and that we should just cancel our flights and tell the in-laws we can't go. They have DH's siblings going, too, so it's not like his mum and dad will be left on their own without us, but I know they will be completely gutted if we don't go; especially because they love to spend time with our DC.

What do you guys think? Would you just go on the holiday or would you cancel? It's a villa holiday, so they wouldn't need to change their booking at all if we didn't go; they'd just have an empty bedroom.

Thanks :-)

tekeo there have been other threads on this - the e111 (now called EHIC) covers you for treatment at the same levels at locals but Brits/Europeans still need proper medical travel insurance. Which I don't think OP would get for a non essential trip at 35 weeks.

An E111 or European health card isn't the same as insurance. It gets you the cover the locals get as a rule. However if you have a baby abroad you'd have costs of changing your flight, accommodation whilst you register baby, get passport, travel to embassy etc, hotel bills if you want partner to stay etc.

OP - simply show him this thread!

Doh, I was being dim, sorry!

I think Art's suggestion of sending DH and toddler and getting a lovely relaxing week to yourself is a good one...maybe arrange to spend some nice relaxing time with friends?

Your dr won't give you a medical cert to fly with your history.

sending DH and toddler and getting a lovely relaxing week to yourself

Ah yes I wasn't thinking about the cost of rebooking flights / extended stays - just the medical costs.

Agree with idea of sending dh on his own although you may feel anxious without him due to your health issues.

Feel for you op, my PIL and dh put a lot of pressure on me to travel a long way with a newborn for my bil's birthday. I said I'd see how I felt and then said no. They were disappointed but they got over it. I do think it's a bit selfish of them especially given your health - doesn't seem like they're thinking of you much.

Put your foot down. I won't say why as it will out me, but think long and hard about your DH in all this, and make him think about what he's saying, too.

Also make sure you get any message direct from your ILs. Make them tell you to your face that they want you to fly four hours each way, at 35 weeks, with a DC, with epilepsy, for a fucking celebration which could well end up being anything but.

I'm absolutely shocked that Norwegian air allow you to fly up to 36 wks without a certificate but sure enough they do.

No British carrier would allow you past 28 weeks without medical documentation.

Your main problem is insurance - Insure & Go insured me when I flew to States at 22 weeks. Their limit is 32 weeks so at 35, no idea who would insure you

Most travel insurance companies won't cover normal pregnancy past 28 weeks, some will go up to 32 weeks. Factor in the high risk due to your epilepsy and you will struggle to get cover.

Will you be over 36 weeks when you return? If yes then you won't meet the airlines criteria for the return flight.

I couldn't think of anything worse than sitting on a plane at that gestation. Is your pregnancy classed as high risk by your midwife? It may be that your midwife says that it is not a good idea.

I know someone that went into.labour on the plane home at 32 weeks, just last week.

Send DH and your DD. It'll be a damn sight cheaper for them to fly back early if they have to rather than repatriating you and the baby.