Going to New York while pregnant

[beccaalouu26]

I've recently just found out I'm pregnant and already booked to go to New York in December for 4 nights, I've worked out I'll be 26 weeks when I fly? I'm starting to worry will I be okay to fly, I know I'd have to wear some stockings and get up regular and walk around,
Also what insurance is best?
I'm all new to this so hope I've done it right :)

I went to NY at 13 weeks, had to go to antenatal clinic for fragmin to inject myself (Not a pleasant experience but necessary). Speak to your midwife they will keep you right.

Enjoy NY, be prepared for lots of walking and probably being very tired but it's an amazing place!

I went to New York at 18 weeks ☺️ Loved every moment of it! Walked a lot 14 mile a day but drank and ate plenty 🙂

I wore compression stockings on the plane and just used to insurance covered by my bank (nationwide)!

Take comfy shoes for lots of walking and have the best time! Xx

I went to NY when pregnant too! Just make sure you get good health insurance that would cover you in case you needed to go to the hospital for anything (no advice on which, we get Bupa through work). And walk around on The flight and remember to take your notes with you everywhere!

I also went at 13 weeks and had no injections. I did, however throw up all over the city

As others have said, compression stockings, comfy shoes and plan naps into your days.

Thanks guys I've been once already so I know what to expect, I've got midwife on 31st July so I'll speak with her! Fingers crossed 😩😩

Make sure the health insurance will cover you AND the baby if it is born there

And do check with your airline until when they let you fly! You should be ok, but better to be safe than sorry.

Just came back from New York at 28 weeks pregnant and with a 3 year old, no problems. Our airline required a Fit to Fly note after 28w (but no one asked to see it). Take a look at Insureandgo for your travel insurance - they cover pregnancy and baby.
Did lots of walking, but had lots of pitstops too.

Thankyou, you've definitely put my mind at rest thankyou so much @PenelopeParallelogram xx

We booked to go to NY on a Monday and found out I was pregnant on the Wednesday. We also went in December and I was 22 weeks pregnant. I didn’t have to take any injections and was absolutely fine. We did and saw everything we wanted to do; walked miles everyday (including a solid 15 hours of Christmas shopping on the third day). Aside from being ready for bed by 8pm every night, we had a great time. Enjoy!

You'll be fine. I did the same at 24 weeks and it was great. The only issues I had were walking too far one day when shopping and having a go and sit on a toilet to rest for 5 mins until my round ligament pain eased off! Enjoy a hol before life changes forever . You don't need any special insurance above what you'd normally buy as pregnancy isn't a 'medical condition'.

I wouldn't EVER fly to another country whilst pregnant personally! Especially not at 26 weeks
First off, the airline is likely to refuse. I used to work in Aviation within an airline and any flights to the US we refused anyone post 20 weeks gestation. Even if you are accepted by the airline, any issues mid-flight, you're a long, long way away from a Doctor and an ultrasound....
Also, I hate to even say this, but if you go into premature labour over there (god forbid), you could be stuck there for months. Not ideal for you or baby.

Just my opinion, not trying to be negative, just pointing out the risks. If the airline refuse you, they will refund you everything paid if you provide a doctor's certificate to prove your pregnancy etc

Or can change the dates of course

One other thing....Whilst many people have no issues like PPs above, cabin pressurisation (& of course de-pressurisation on descent) can have an effect on pregnancy. It's usually not the main issue but it depends massively on the person.

The reason some airlines don't like it, is to do with the risk of an onboard emergency, and sadly, the knock on financial effects for them if they have to divert etc. Some larger airlines have a later cut-off gestation, but most are 20 weeks

@whatdoido2018, what airlines have a cut-off of 20 weeks? I’ve never worked in the aviation industry but that seems very early. I flew at 22 weeks and neither the airline (Virgin Atlantic), my midwife nor our insurance company had an issue. I called all of them to check and I didn’t even have to get confirmation of being fit to fly since I was still only midway through my second trimester. Several of my friends have also travelled between Europe and the US and haven’t had any problems - most of them were also in the third tri.

Some airlines want a letter from doctor after 28 weeks. I think that may be for long haul flights though. So you will be fine to NY.

Make sure your insurance policy covers you and the baby, including repatriation. You don't want to end up stuck in a NY hospital with a premature baby that could fly home as soon as you can afford to pay the hospital bills and the flights

@Candyflip NY is classed as long-haul within the industry

Read my threads in Classics (under Southsearocks) 😄. Went to the States at 27 weeks for 9 days. Came home three months later with a prem baby!

Highly unlikely it will happen to you but then I didn't think it would happen to me! You must check your insurance. It usually only covers you, not your labour costs or the baby. It's a very long story but the insurance and hospital stumped up a total of £250000 for me and my baby (now a cheeky 7 year old) but it was touch and go. Good luck!

@Mama05070704 thankyouuu! It's an amazing place, hopefully everything be okay! Xx

We did it at 29/30 weeks and it was fine! Stumped up for premium economy and was soooo glad of the extra space. I got a note from my Midwife (I think... might have been the GP) to say I was fit to fly.

We got specialist and extensive insurance to cover me and the baby from a broker. Thankfully didn't need it but cost about £100.

Do it, enjoy it and stock up on loads of cute baby stuff you wouldn't get here. I have so many things for my little girl remind me of that awesome holiday when she was but a bump!

Whatdoido is wrong. Most airlines allow you to fly up to around 35 weeks. Most require a fit to fly letter from 28 weeks. Have a look on your airline's website to check.

Airports are full of pregnant women. I flew loads, including to the US for work at around 22-23 weeks. I developed complications at 28 weeks and so was grounded from then on, which was fine as I was finding it uncomfortable at that point.

Take on plenty of fluids. Get an aisle seat so you can get up to wee and walk around. Wear the stockings (getting these on with a bump is like a full body workout). Take your notes in case you need them. Enjoy your holiday!

What effects does cabin pressure allegedly have on pregnancy?

I used to work in Aviation within an airline and any flights to the US we refused anyone post 20 weeks gestation.

I flew to the US at both 23 and 26 weeks (badly planned! A work trip then a holiday) and checked a lot of different airline policies when booking flights and didn't see a single one that had a cut-off that early. I had a fit to fly letter because the insurance we use at work asked for it, but no one from either of the three airlines I ended up using asked to see it.

Obviously no one can say how you personally will feel at that gestation, but I did those four flights, plus some internal flights for the work trip, within a few weeks (one trip to southern USA, so much longer flight than NY, other a similar distance to NY) and it was absolutely fine for me - no more uncomfortable than flying is normally except from needing the loo a bit more often.

@eurochick thanks hun, I didn't know there was any problems with cabin pressure cause all you see is make sure you get up and walk about and wear those stockings so I dunno xx

Thankyou @doddlebobs xx