Holiday to Tennerif at 34 weeks pregnant?

[Becky20192]

Hello - I am scheduled to go on a week's holiday with my partner and his two children (ages 6 and 9) at the end of July - at which point I will be 33 weeks pregnant (34 on return). This was planned pre finding out I am pregnant with my first child. I am age 41, in good health and am currently at 17 weeks, having had a healthy pregnancy so far. The hotel will be luxurious and there won't be much travelling around.

If there are no complications - would people recommend I go along? I really don't want to miss out on this holiday or the bonding time with his children before the baby arrives (we have only been together 20 months).

Any advice would be appreciated. Some people say I am mad and some say they wouldn't think twice is the pregnancy isn't high risk.

Many thanks

Hello - I am scheduled to go on a week's holiday with my partner and his two children (ages 6 and 9) at the end of July - at which point I will be 33 weeks pregnant (34 on return). This was planned pre finding out I am pregnant with my first child. I am age 41, in good health and am currently at 17 weeks, having had a healthy pregnancy so far. The hotel will be luxurious and there won't be much travelling around.

If there are no complications - would people recommend I go along? I really don't want to miss out on this holiday or the bonding time with his children before the baby arrives (we have only been together 20 months).

Any advice would be appreciated. Some people say I am mad and some say they wouldn't think twice is the pregnancy isn't high risk.

Many thanks

You need to check flight restrictions and travel insurance, it sounds a bit too late to me (I went to Thailand at 26 weeks and my dd arrived out of the blue at 36 weeks)

I think you will need a fitness to fly certificate from your doctor and also check with your airline as some wouldn’t allow you to fly at that late stage in pregnancy. Personally apart from the flight itself I think a holiday would be lovely before the baby is born but others may disagree with me!

I think it depends on the airline - some stop you flying at 32 weeks. Others are okay up to 36 weeks with a letter from your midwife/doctor. I'm going on holiday from 28 - 30 weeks which I think is about right for me, I wouldn't have wanted to leave it much longer but mainly because I want a chunk of time at work to wrap things up before maternity leave.

There will beflight restrictions and I’m not sure you will be allowed to fly that far along.

Without a letter from your doc/midwife that wont let you fly. Even with a certifare, the pilot has the final say on who gets to fly on his/her plane. If the pilot isn't happy with it then it doesn't matter what airline policy is or what your certificate says, you won't be able to fly. So check with the airline and check what their pilots usually do in this situation.

Hi there, I'm also 17 weeks pregnant and will be going on a 2 week holida 7 hours away in July. Spoke to my OB about it, and she said it's fine, she can issue a letter confirming I'm in good health and fit to fly. This letter is valid for 2 weeks from issue. I also checked the airline rules, which can differ from airline to airline. I'm flying Etihad and the limit is 37 weeks.

Check your airline will allow you to fly. And make sure your insurance covers you (and baby) should you deliver early.

I'm assuming your looking at the med somewhere not deepest Africa. They do have hospitals and will make sure your both ok should some thing go wrong.

Beyond that I'd go and enjoy.

Thanks so much everyone for your advice. The airline will allow me to fly up until 36 weeks and I will need a fit to fly letter (and be complication free). I guess my worry is how I will feel that pregnant on holiday (have never been pregnant before so no idea) and whether it's really unwise or not to risk being abroad at that point

Also check insurance - the one that comes with my bank wouldn't cover me after 26 weeks - think there are some specialist firms. Not sure whether you'll be covered by EHIC - might depend on Brexit?

Make sure you get travel insurance which will cover you and baby if you go into labour early!!

I would have loved a holiday abroad at that point in pregnancy. I had PGP and could barely move so a lounger by the pool/beach somewhere sunny would have been bliss!

Definitely check insurance for flying that late.
I'm flying at 28 weeks for a week on a 4 hour flight. That will definitely be enough for me, especially with a three year old in tow as well.

Thankfully my parents are also coming with us so I'm hoping DH and I actually get some downtime before the new baby arrives.

I'm a size 16 and last time my bump felt massive - even though it always measured fine - so will definitely get a fit to fly letter.

My only concern is SPD kicking in, I was a hobbling mess by that point in my first pregnancy and I really hope that isn't the case again else it'll be a pretty miserable holiday.

What cover is there in your travel insurance?

Insure and Go cover pregnant women up to 36 weeks (when you can't fly) x

I'd go, itll be more relaxing than being at home it sounds. The only risk you take is not getting the fit to fly letter but I flew at 29 weeks with TUI and had polyhydramnios causing people to think I was full term by then and I wasn't asked for my letter at either airport. Of course if you did "get away with it" though and you did need medical assistance on the flight (although unlikely) the insurance prob wouldn't pay out. My friend flew at 34 weeks to Tenerife with no problem at all too btw. I don't think Tenerife is a long flight. You might not be the most comfortable at that stage whilst flying but it won't be that bad. You sound like someone who is pretty relaxed and not over fussy and dramatic, I think you'll be fine. X

I went to Malaysia at 32 weeks pregnant for 2 weeks and absolutely loved it. Obviously just make sure you have your fit to fly note

I wouldn't go with a standard travel insurance, I highly recommend ravenhall insurance as they do pregnancy specific insurance. Most insurers won't cover the medical expenses for the baby as well as mum in the case of a surprise arrival.

I'd hate Tenerife in July at 34 weeks, but I'm no good at hot weather generally.

Double check your insurance will cover both your obstetric care AND neonatal care for the baby (many won't at that gestation) or it could get very very expensive.

I flew at 35 weeks pregnant, paid £30 for the flight letter and the airline didn’t even check or say anything to me at all, not sure they even noticed. So as long as it all continues to go well for you I would say go along, enjoy it and take your notes.

Re insurance - check that they cover baby and not just you - that was what caught me out with my bank one - I was covered but a potentially premature baby was not!

Also remember that if the UK exits the EU before you go or when you are there you won't be able to use it to avail of medical treatment so you need to be sure the travel insurance covers premature labor and any other medical issues while you are there.

thank you so much, this is encouraging

thank you - useful information

Thank you so much everyone for all this advice, so appreciated x

I used Ravenclaw for insurance. They have a mama2b product which covers you if baby were to come early and covers baby. And you can add your partner on so they would also be covered as normally their insurance may not cover them if it’s separate to yours. It was a bit more expensive but has given me peace of mind.

As for how you’ll feel, I guess you’ll only know nearer the time. I go next week at 27-28 weeks and I’m feeling up for it, needing it even ! Although not looking forward to the flight.

I’ve been on holiday at 34 weeks (Majorca) and am going again this time at 33 weeks (Portugal). Personally I found it wonderful. With my first I didn’t go into labour until 42 weeks so keep in mind that while babies can come early they also very often come late! I personally don’t see the point in putting life on hold to sit around waiting if you’re in good health. Even if you did need medical attention (unlikely) you won’t be in a mud hut on safari so will be well looked after. Remember how long it will be after baby is here before you holiday again!