Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Pregnancy

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

Flip

1 2

Original poster

Flying when pregnant

41 replies

conkeyhead · 27/07/2007 13:16

I'm flying to spain when I'll be nearly 16 weeks pregnant. I'm not worried about it at all, but it's my second, and I'm already looking soooo pregnant and so big; does anyone think I should take a note from the doctor or midwife in case I get any bother at the airport with officials not believing i'm so early into it? Or is that a bit silly?? I'm wondering how much they care??
thanks,

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

PregnantGrrrl · 27/07/2007 13:20

i flew to USA when i was 20wks and very obviously pregnant- i fully expected to be questioned at some point, because USA won't allow you enter there when you're a certain number of weeks anyway. Nobody asked me about the baby at all TBH

Original poster

conkeyhead · 27/07/2007 13:22

Oh cool thank you - also, someone's just mentioned the scanning thing that you walk through might be dangerous for wee bump and I should ask for the hand scanner - what's that about? What's the risks?

OP posts:

PregnantGrrrl · 27/07/2007 13:26

there's no risk, it's fine- old wives tale!

AskABusyPerson · 29/07/2007 15:28

My sister who is 9 weeks pregnant looked into this as she had a flight to spain booked (holiday arranged pre pg) and googling it came up with loads of info about the possible risk of miscarriage if flying BEFORE 12 weeks, apparently some scan/airborne rays cam harm the developing fetus, but after 12 weeks is thought to be okay as all early development done. Some sites said flying after x weeks was not recommended but I think thats later in pregnancy (can't remember what number x is)!

Have a good holiday!

BunnyBaby · 30/07/2007 13:42

I flew at 19 weeks, and the airline just asked me to get a letter from my doctor to say what my dates were and that I was in good health. I was never asked for it, but it was better than being turned away. I fles just under 3 hours to portugal and it was absolutely fine

Dawn2820 · 30/07/2007 13:46

I Think you are ok to fly but not after 28 weeks

MrsMar · 30/07/2007 13:50

I've flown during this pregnancy at 15 weeks, 20 weeks and 24 weeks and no problems at all. No one has even mentioned it to me when boarding or checking in. As for when you can fly without docs note... Easyjet say up to 28 weeks is fine, then 28 weeks to 36 weeks you need a docs note. Most other airlines are similar, BA say you must have a docs note if flying between 30 and 36 weeks, and you must complete your flights by 36 weeks. The only thing you definitely mustn't do is fly in small aircraft during pregnancy as they aren't pressurized. Otherwise, I think everything else is fine.

Original poster

conkeyhead · 30/07/2007 16:15

Lovely, thanks for all the great advice, will check with my airline and have a chat with midwife see if she feels like going and nagging the doc for any paperwork, just in case I get the "keen boffin check everything" - person to check me in!!

OP posts:

MrsMar · 30/07/2007 17:59

You could just take your maternity notes too, actually I think you're supposed to anyway, but they will say what your due date is, so you can prove it if anyone asks...

BunnyBaby · 31/07/2007 11:42

Also a friend who works for an airline says the only reason for the ban later on is the phemonenal cost to the airline if they have to make an emergency landing due to a passenger in labour. The cost is said to be so large it deters them from carrying pregnant women later in pregnancy.

jura · 31/07/2007 11:49

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

londonthea · 31/07/2007 11:58

I'm flying to Hong Kong on Saturday and am 30 weeks pregnant. I'll be returning just before I reach 33 weeks. I'm also an insulin dependant diabetic and neither my doctors nor the airline have any problem with me making the trip. There is no risk to the baby or to you as long as you are having a healthy pregnancy. You are generally free to fly up to 36 weeks (when you are having a single pregnancy)

I have a letter from the hospital saying I am fit to travel and am taking my maternity notes with me....just in case! Have a good holiday.

Cyee · 31/07/2007 12:00

I flew loads when pg (before and after 12 weeks) and:

security scans are fine, according to my m/w
No one asked me for my doc's letter even when 33 weeks! I had to MAKE them read it (I'd paid a tenner for the darn thing)
I'd take your mat notes which show your EDD anyway
Keep active on the flight - regularly move your arms and legs to keep the circulation going. I personally thought any risk would be to the baby, but actually mums are at greater risk of clotting, according to my m/wife

Have a good trip!

PS my little one is fine and will be taking her maiden flight this Friday at the grand old age of 3 weeks and 4 days!

Angechica · 03/08/2007 10:24

Can I add to this thread please?

I'm 18 weeks pg, a terrible flier and am due to go on hols in 10 days. It involves two short-ish flights to get where I'm going - one in a small jet which I hate even more! I normally knock myself out with valium and alcohol to deal with it.

Will sustained anxiety / high BP be bad for the baby? I only get this for the duration of the flight...

I asked my mw about it but she just said obviously tranquillisers & booze are a no-no.

Is there anything I can take to help? Obviously I do not want to do anything to harm my baby. I read that even herbal tablets like Kalms are not to be taken because they contain valerian which is not recommended for pg women either.

Original poster

conkeyhead · 03/08/2007 10:39

Oh I do feel for you, I'm a terrible flier too, though not sure if I'm as bad as you. Would you consider having a sip of wine? I don't know what your views are of drinking in pregnancy....I have a 1/4 glass every now and then if out and did for last pregnancy (am I being contraversial - will this start another discussion!?!?!). I normally (not preggers) drink through flights and find half a glass way up in the sky makes me feel quite relaxed as it has added effect. So maybe, assuming you're not drinking or hardly drinking, being high up AND now a lightweight a small sip might relax you???? Or could turn you in a paranoid wreck...hmmmmmm!

could be a completely crap theory...and apologies in advance for anyone it offends!!!

OP posts:

MrsMcJnr · 03/08/2007 10:43

Conkeyhead have fun! I need a letter because of meds anyway so I'm asking them to add in a line about when I am due as I'll be 24 weeks and the airline will accept you upt to 26 weeks and I don't want any nonsense. Might be worth getting a letter, why give yourself any stress?

Re the scanner - in the UK they have told me before that it is ok because there is no Xray but in Spain, when I said I was pg they immediatley took me round the scanner to a hand held one so just ask at security.

HermyGrain · 03/08/2007 11:05

I flew to Tenerife at 24 weeks - no probs didn't need letter. The only people who queried it was insurance co. They just asked for more info.

MarchMum · 13/08/2007 23:32

Aside from the airline/dr restrictions, what do you think the longest flight you can comfortably take at 30/32 weeks is? I want to go away at Christmas but that's where I'll be and I am not sure how far I can stretch. Any opinions?

aikigypsy · 14/08/2007 02:28

I'm taking a 6 hour transatlantic flight at 28 weeks, then back at 31 weeks. I did the same in first trimester, and really suffered on the way over from not being able to get enough water to drink. The flight attendants are very stingy with the stuff. On the way back I fortunately sat near the place where they put the drinks together, so I just stole bottle after bottle when they weren't looking, and felt much better.

I don't know how it will be this time around, when I'll be more obviously pregnant. I'm planning to take the doctor's note, and my records just in case.

lounan · 14/08/2007 02:33

I really dont think you have anything to worry about, i flew back in may when 28weeks pregnant from canada(7 hrs) then 2 days later on to cyprus(4 hrs) then back again at 33 weeks, also had to deal with my 5 yrs old son.I was also on meds for high blood pressure, but my ob/gyn said it was safe to fly! I was never asked by any of the 3 airports about the pregnancy, i wasn't very big at the time so maybe that had something to do with it. As long as you feel o.k then just enjoy your trip!!

Bel29 · 10/10/2007 21:55

I am flying a lot within Europe...does anyone know whether a transatlantic flight (UK to US) will have any influence on a baby? Around 12 weeks? Worried about time difference too, as planning to stay in the US just for 3-4 days.

capecodder · 11/10/2007 05:46

Bel,

I flew to NY for 4 days when I was 12 weeks pregnant and it was completely fine- no problmes for me or baby. The only problem will be with jet lag - so make sure you get lots of rest on your return.

I also just flew to Belfast at 33 weeks and no problems there either. Went through a great deal of trouble to secure Dr note and they never even asked for it.

eidsvold · 11/10/2007 06:15

I flew to Aus from the UK at 19 weeks pregnant - no issue - just had my notes and off I went. No need to provide any letters or anything and I was huge looked very very pregnant.

excitedm2b · 11/10/2007 09:48

Hi, I'm flying tomorrow at 21 weeks for a 10 hour flight and another one at 32 weeks coming back at 34 weeks. My consultant says its all fine. I also flew long haul at 9 weeks and it was fine. (All flights BA) Take your maternity notes - not so much for the airline but you'll feel better when you're away if you have them just in case!
If you get called out of the security queue to go for the new scanners they are testing at Heathrow, make sure you tell them you are pregnant as I think they use Xrays and pregnant women shouldn't have them (they should ask you anyway). It happened to me last time and they jumped me to the front of the queue and then we got upgraded to club

julesk2 · 05/11/2007 00:25

Im flying for 2.5 hours to FLa. and have been having some braxton hicks contractions. I am 33 weeks and a little worried. Any advice. Doctor says it's fine but getting flack from family.

Flip

1 2