Flying to California in third trimester

[fancytiles]

Opinions please... have a wedding end of September/start of October in California which I'm desperate to go to but I will be 29/30 weeks pregnant and my consultant has said there is no guarantee I will get a fit to fly note. Do I book the flights and hope for the best or let them know I can't come?! Another factor is the cost, I will cost 5.5k each for me and DP as will have to fly business for an 11 hour flight that pregnant...

Personally I wouldn't. With my first I had repeated instances of reduced movements so I had to keep going in to get checked - you really don't want to be having to use the US healthcare system if you can avoid it. Have you investigated insurance- if the baby came early you could have weeks in NICU.

Thanks @Hollywhiskey that is my gut feeling... it would be such a nightmare to be stuck in NICU in the US with the baby whilst my DP went back to the uk to work. We do have insurance.

I wouldn't. I flew to Malaysia at 32 weeks pregnant but had an uncomplicated pregnancy and had no problems getting a fit to fly note.

If your consultant isn't sure you should fly I would just them know that you sadly can't come. No point putting pressure on yourself to fly. Plus even with a fit to fly note, the airline can still stop you from boarding until you have seen one of their drs and been cleared to fly by one of their drs

Oy. I'm all for pretty much keeping up your life in pregnancy for as long as you can, and I kept travelling round the UK for work until about 35 weeks first time, but I don't think I would risk a 3rd trimester long haul, especially with the risk of a bill quite literally in the millions if you should happen to deliver there prematurely. Plus the flight would be uncomfortable AF. Plus plus your consultant isn't keen. I'd just say this one isn't going to work and stay at home.

Thanks so much for your replies. It was my gut feeling and good to know that you agree! Will be such a shame to miss their wedding but I really can't go against consultant recommendations and as you said if it were to go wrong it would be devastating