Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Original poster

How soon can you fly after a c section?

13 replies

Justus22 · 20/03/2019 13:40

Just that really. Should I have to have a c section when after can I get take a 4/5hr flight. Do I need my 6 week check to travel? Xx

OP posts:
MissWimpyDimple · 20/03/2019 14:02

If you plan to take your baby, they'll need a passport so I think that's more of a decider!

Original poster
Justus22 · 20/03/2019 14:20

Yes baby will be coming, passport office seem to think it'll be fine. Happy to go and collect it too if need be. I'm just trying to rule out medical exemptions iyswim. Its an important holiday with our wider family for a special birthday ang my other children are so excited (so are we) so I don't want to cancel but I'd love some peace of mind that worst case we should be OK (we'll have 7 weeks from due date to flying so worst case 5.) x

OP posts:
anniehm · 20/03/2019 14:49

I was told (many years ago) airlines won't accept you until you pass your 6 week check, I flew at 7 weeks and it was pretty daunting beforehand but actually was fine as the flight was full of grandmothers heading to see their grandkids living overseas who were queuing up for cuddles (assuming they could get ahead of the cabin crew!) long haul and staff have plenty of time to do their "jobs". Worst bit was Heathrow as it's so big, though I kept my pushchair until gate at least.

WanderingTrolley1 · 20/03/2019 14:55

6-week check, at least.

ThanksItHasPockets · 20/03/2019 19:02

You need to check with your airline whether they have any restrictions, and make sure that you have very comprehensive travel insurance.

Original poster
Justus22 · 20/03/2019 20:48

Thanks all I will check with the doctors and airline, I'm not planning a c section and I've had 3 baby's without one so I'm hoping not to need one but you never know. Last time 2 times they induced me with risk of an emergency c section (excess fluid meant they pushed baby into place as head wouldn't engage.) I read online it's 4 weeks until you can fly. My midwife said she's known a friend fly 1 week post partum with a new baby and they can do your check when you get back or slightly early but I wasn't asking about c section of course as I'd not considered it. Also some airlines allow babies to fly a few days old most 2 weeks I think so I'd imagine they'd expect mum to fly with them and don't require the 6 week check. I'll find out and update though. X

OP posts:
BillyAndTheSillies · 20/03/2019 21:34

Flew at just under three weeks with DS for DH's granny's funeral. Luckily we'd given notice when DS was 2 or 3 days old so we were able to apply for a passport the day we found out she'd passed away. DS was 10 days when she passed and the passport turned up the day before we left.
It was a tight turnaround but no one (midwife/GP/HV) had any concerns about flying before the 6 week check.

sycamore54321 · 20/03/2019 21:37

I don’t know the specific answer but I will say you are at highly elevated risk of blood clots in the six weeks after birth, so you will need to be hugely conscious of measures to prevent deep vein thrombosis. Can you ensure you will remain mobile throughout the flight and pay for the most spacious seat you can afford.

You should also declare your recent section to your travel insurance as a pre-existing condition. Make sure the insurance would cover medical repatriation for you and the baby if needed.

Original poster
Justus22 · 20/03/2019 22:07

Thanks for the info @billyandthesillies did you have a c section? X

OP posts:
Tailfeather · 20/03/2019 22:11

I have lots of friends from a specific country who fly to Singapore (for better medical care) to have their c-sections and fly home with the baby a couple of weeks later. So you can definitely fly pretty soon after - but just check the airline's policies.

Laquila · 20/03/2019 22:11

Having had two sections (one crash, one planned) I definitely wouldn’t have wanted to fly before 3 weeks post-section but think I’d have been ok from then on. Realistically the toughest bit would be the queuing, the traipsing around, the carrying of luggage (and baby), the waiting, the enforced sitting still etc. I had two very good recoveries though.

Dermymc · 20/03/2019 22:16

Be aware you could have an awful recovery. I could barely walk after 6 weeks let alone fly.

Original poster
Justus22 · 20/03/2019 22:30

Thanks all. I know I have no idea how I'll recover this time but going by my 3 previous births I was pretty quickly 100% in maximum of 2 weeks for recovery. I didn't have a c section though granted. I'm not worried about airport or travel with so many family members going on the holiday and my two eldest are 10 & 8 and very sensible when I need them to be. My husband does all the case and luggage carrying and I usually look after the kids. I'm hoping she comes a little early like baby number 3 and so she's more 8/9 weeks old but obviously there are no guarantees. My friends all think I'm mad but honestly, if we go i'll be more relaxed than at home with a big house to keep, 3 meals a day to make for 5 of us , the children off school wanting to go out everyday and my husband at work. I won't cook or wash up more than a few mugs of tea a day when we're away, kids will have loads to do, I'll have plenty of helpful relatives and there's a maid service so no real housework, it'll be bliss. X

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page