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Original poster

Anyone been abroad with low lying placenta?

24 replies

Ttc321 · 06/08/2017 10:33

Hi all
I was just wondering if any mums or pregnant women on here have experienced going abroad with a low lying placenta?
I am meant to be going to Greece in 2 weeks with my partner, we booked it 6 months ago and have been counting down the days! Turns out I got pregnant about a month after we booked up, but was still more than happy to be going with my little bump, but I went for my 18 week scan and they found that I had a low lying placenta, he told me not to worry and it's very common at this stage and they will re-scan at 32-35 weeks pregnant, but then he told me to avoid sex and lifting. I'm now 19wks+4 days and will be going on a 2hr45min flight at nearly 21 weeks pregnant.
I have contacted the airline and they said I don't need a fit to fly note unless I am over 27 weeks, I contacted my midwife who didn't seem that bothered and just told me to go to my GP as I might need a fit to fly note.. so now I'm confused.
I am going to my Doctors tomorrow to ask them if I will be safe to fly.. but in the mean time does anyone on here have any advice for me please??

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Original poster

Ttc321 · 06/08/2017 12:42

Anyone?? X

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Sakura03 · 06/08/2017 12:52

Sorry I've got no experience or similar issue but how disappointing that you midwife wasn't more helpful. On the other hand surely they would have told you if flying is out of the question? I hope someone with experience comes along and can offer their opinion. Oh just spotted you're seeing your gp tomorrow so they should be able to tell you. Fingers crossed you can go on your holiday

blondielocks29 · 06/08/2017 13:36

I've just got back from a holiday, 3 1/2 hour flight at 22weeks. All fine, no different from flying normally except my back ached a bit more.

I don't have a low lying placenta, but I wouldn't have thought that would increase any risks by much, especially if your midwife and airline are happy for you to fly.
If it eases your mind go and have a chat with your GP tomorrow

Lamaitresse · 06/08/2017 14:55

I went to the US at 17 weeks with a low lying placenta. Mine was very close to my cervix but not touching it. I think there are different degrees of low lying placenta or placenta previa - it can be more of a worry if the placenta is touching the cervix or over it completely. Were you given any details as to where yours is?
I was fine when we travelled, and having psyched myself up most of the pregnancy for a C section my placenta moved at 30 something weeks & I had a natural delivery. I think this happens in the vast majority of cases like mine!
Have fun on holiday!

AbbeyRoadCrossing · 06/08/2017 21:30

There are different grades of placenta praevia. It should be on your notes something like 'covering OS' or touching or so many cm away.
Do tell your insurer if you haven't already to ensure you are covered. Take your notes with you in your hand luggage.
Have you had any bleeds so far? That's the biggest risk with it. I don't think flying would cause a bleed but if you bled on the plane that could be an emergency.
Check with your consultant and insurer.

Original poster

Ttc321 · 06/08/2017 22:35

Thanks for you're comments, he didn't go into detail and all he put in the notes is posterior placenta is low lying rescan at 32-35 weeks as per protocol. I did have a bleed at 5 weeks pregannt but don't know if this could be related.. haven't had a bleed since.

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GuntyMcGee · 06/08/2017 22:49

Unfortunately, the midwife isn't going to be able to make that decision regarding fit to fly for you - it may well need to be a medical decision.

You also need to think about the fact that with a LLP you may be more susceptible to bleeds, and with that in mind, make sure that you're happy to go, that you've got travel insurance which will cover an issue if the worst should happen and also that you know where local healthcare is and how to access it.

Not wanting to catastrophise at all, I just think it's best to be prepared for the worst and hope for the best.

Oh, and take your notes with you if you have a set of handheld notes - if you don't, ask your gp or midwife to print out a pregnancy summary: scan report and blood group at the very least.

yolkybokey · 07/08/2017 09:51

I had a low lying placenta at that point (very small amount covering the cervix, it had moved up by 32 weeks)
I flew to Tokyo at 6 months pregnant and was absolutely fine apart from being super uncomfortable on such a long flight! I didn't bother with a fit to fly note.

That's just my personal experience, obviously everyone is different. Bear in mind though that a slightly low lying placenta is very common and they usually move.

Blondeshavemorefun · 07/08/2017 10:22

Sounds same as me. I flew to tenerife at 14w preg - 4hr flights

There is no risk with flying and low placenta

Make sure you move about and drink water

And avoid baths sex and heavy lifting

leccybill · 07/08/2017 10:26

Yes I flew twice when I had a LLP. I did have a bleed at 27 and 29 weeks and had 2 overnight stays in hospital (in UK)for monitoring but it had moved up by 36 weeks and delivery was normal.

user1493413286 · 07/08/2017 10:28

I had a low lying placenta and unfortunately did have some problems but not until 27 weeks and I'm in the minority as most people are fine.
Make sure you have holiday insurance and that you inform them you are pregnant and have a low lying placenta. It might increase the cost but you don't want the stress of a massive bill if you do need any care over there.

Firsttimemama2017 · 07/08/2017 10:35

I had a low lying placenta, identified at the 20 week scan to be completely covering th cervix. I also had a holiday booked, 2 hour flight at 23 weeks. The advice I received was that if I had experienced bleeds then not to go but if not then should be fine to go ahead.

My placenta didn't move and I ended up having a c-section but didn't experience any bleees at all during the pregnancy.

I would just make a note of the local hospitals and check your travel insurance is still valid.

I hope you enjoy your holiday!

Original poster

Ttc321 · 07/08/2017 11:56

Thanks for the messages, been to my GP and she couldn't help either! She said it's entirely my choice wether I want to go or not. But should I take the risk, what are the chances of a bleed? I'm so worried about this, I don't want to cancel my holiday but nothing is worst than putting my baby at risk. Any advice? Would you go in my position? X

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AbbeyRoadCrossing · 07/08/2017 13:11

It is up to you. I had bleeds. Others will have had none. So there's really no way of telling.
Have you spoken to your insurer? What do they say? Whether I'd go or it would depend largely on whether I was insured or not.

tinytemper66 · 07/08/2017 13:27

When I had a low lying placenta I was hospitalised twice and then kept on until delivery, which would have been another 6 weeks but had emergency C-section at 34 weeks. I wasn't allowed to do much or go far once I had been diagnosed as having low lying placenta or placenta praaevia (sp) as it was also referred to.
If you have had no bleeding it may be different but I would check again before flying.

Original poster

Ttc321 · 07/08/2017 17:17

Hi yes I haven't had any bleeding since 5 weeks pregnant. I would be changing my insurance if I did go to fit my needs, but now I think I'm going to cancel and I'm so gutted! But I can't stop thinking about bleeding on the flight there or back which is my worst nightmare, I don't know wether the pressure of the flight could cause any problems but I'm really concerned about it and don't want to lose my baby for a holiday as he is so much longed for.

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Original poster

Ttc321 · 07/08/2017 18:24

Really stressing out about this now :-(

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tinytemper66 · 07/08/2017 18:57

Can you speak to your midwife again re your concerns?

Original poster

Ttc321 · 07/08/2017 19:18

She just keeps on palming me off, it's like she hasn't got time to speak and is constantly trying to usher me of the phone. I have tried to speak to this twice with her and it's like she just isn't bothered, she just palms me off with talk to you're GP and that's it, I'm really stressed because I've been really looking forward to this holiday, and I don't know wether I'm at risk or not because no body is giving me a straight answer, my Gp said it's my choice wether I want to go or not but didn't even know much about it herself, I don't know what to do now. :-(

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confusedat23 · 07/08/2017 19:26

Hey OP I can call Triage from 19 weeks at my hospital for advise and tbh i have found them 100000x more helpful than my consultant and doctor in being able to advise on issues. Obviously they are going to be busy but if you explain your situation they maybe able to offer you more of an insight than what your current midwife is offering

AbbeyRoadCrossing · 07/08/2017 19:44

The flight itself shouldn't cause a bleed. It's more if you did bleed and if it was big then they'd need to land. Although it's a very short flight and you're early in your pregnancy.
It's not a midwifes call and in my experience no doctor or consultant ever says things are 100% ok just in case they aren't.
Inform your current insurer now if you haven't already as they'll need to know if you go and they'll need to know if you cancel if they are to refund you.
By the way I did go to Greece with PP but I didn't know I had it at the time!

Original poster

Ttc321 · 07/08/2017 20:20

Thanks for your comments - I really want to go, I feel a bit better about the situation and I'm thinking about going but getting the top rate insurance and getting a list of health centres etc, the main thing I am concerned about is bleeding on the flight and I'm so anxious about it I'm getting distressed, but if flying wouldn't cause me to bleed then i would be more happy to go, I'm so worried that the pressure of the flight might affect the placenta, I'm not sure. I think I'm going to get a private scan a few days before I go to see if all is ok and if it has improved or got worst, if it is dangerously low then I will not go, the money doesn't matter compared to my baby

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Lgreenhough · 26/05/2019 19:46

Can I ask, I know it was a long time ago now, but did you go? I am currently having the same dilemma only my consultant doesn’t want to give me a fit to travel note, I am only 19 weeks and had no bleeding.. will be 21 weeks when/if I go. He seems happy for me to fly but we are flying to get a cruise and that’s what he doesn’t like. normal delivery 6.5 yrs ago

DameSylvieKrin · 27/05/2019 13:58

@Lgreenhough, I wouldn’t go if your consultant doesn’t sign off on it. I had placenta previa marginalis and vasa previa and was told not to be more than 20 minutes from a hospital from 20 weeks on (I think the 20 minutes were for my sake, the baby wouldn’t have made it longer than 5). I think the advice is nuanced based on your situation so best to follow it. The consultant is probably worried that you could bleed to death at sea before they could get help for you.

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