Long- haul when pregnant

[Bayleyf]

Before I was pregnant, DH and I booked to go to Japan in August, when I'll be about 20 weeks.

We've been planning to go for ages and a proper two week holiday before the baby arrives would be amazing.

I'm not too worried about the holiday itself (I can take things slow, and Japan seems very safe). WE'll get gold-plate insurance of course, and cancel if I'm not well.

But the flight is worrying me.

Has anyone else flown long- haul mid pregnancy? I was it ok?

I have! Would say 20 weeks is the perfect time. You don’t feel sick anymore but you aren’t so big that you are uncomfortable either. Just make sure to drink loads of water and take little walks up and down the cabin.

Don’t eat raw fish / meat there as it won’t have been frozen before hand. Get your pregnancy badge for public transport (your hotel may be able to help you with this) because you will be very uncomfortable otherwise. Also keep an eye out for your health. A few illnesses can be really serious in pregnancy; probably best to have a know where your local hospital is, again your hotel will help.

At 20 weeks I doubt the flight will be that much more unbearable than when you aren't pregnant, but I would take all the advice re hydrating and moving around to avoid DVT even more seriously than when you're not pregnant.

And definitely get an aisle seat as all that hydration combined with baby will mean you'll be up and down to the toilet every hour or so!!

All really useful - thanks ladies.

I'd thought about the raw fish already and it's really irritating. I'll just have to go back!

I did long haul (US to Asia and US to Middle East) when about 20 weeks and also 30 weeks pregnant. I made sure to walk around during the flight.

I was extremely careful about what I ate/drank though - used bottled water to brush my teeth, only ate cooked food, washed my hands very carefully, took no risks at all.

I did 4 long haul flights at 20+ weeks. They were fine. Get an aisle seat and move lots. Consider wearing flight socks. Drink plenty (this will give you the impetus to move loads!).

The person in front of me fully reclining was a pain. There was no room for my tray so I had to hold drinks, etc.

Insurance is the other thing to sort but it sounds like you have that in hand.

Oooh, upgrade. Now you're talking

I went to Cuba at 26 weeks and it was fine. Like previous posters have said, make sure you keep hydrated during the flight and get up every hour to move around. Get some flight socks to help prevent dvt.

Just a warning, Japan in August is very hot and humid so make sure you keep extra hydrated when you are there and listen to your body. And yes be careful of sushi, etc.

Have a great holiday. Japan is just brilliant, you’ll have a great time!

Just be aware, and I may be wrong (years since I worked in insurance) that your policy, if taken out after your pregnancy was confirmed, may not cover cancellation due to this. I.e. if you're unwell due to pregnancy and can't travel, but only took your policy after you found out, pregnancy related cancellation may not be covered.

I still don't understand why people don't take out a policy as soon as a holiday is booked, but that's a gripe for another thread