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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

GP Surgery don't do fit-to-fly certificates, any experience?

30 replies

pinkpeoniesplease · 31/12/2019 16:12

Hi all,

I have a holiday booked which is a 4 hour flight away when I'm 32 weeks pregnant.

Just called my GP surgery to book an appointment to get a fit-to-fly certificate and was told by the receptionist the GP's at my Surgery have stopped doing them.

NHS website says to book through GP Surgery.

Receptionist said she'll leave a message for the Midwife who may also refuse!

Anyone experienced this? I am happy to pay privately but not sure if that is even a thing...

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PlanDeRaccordement · 31/12/2019 16:17

Does the airline even require one?

EmmaJR1 · 31/12/2019 16:18

My midwife wrote mine after the gp refused. He said pregnancy isn't an illness so of course I could fly which was helpful. No one asked to see my fir to fly note anyway. I was 7.5 months and definitely showing too.

YappityYapYap · 31/12/2019 16:23

It's generally 36 weeks for domestic and short haul flights and 28 weeks for international and long haul flights so you will be fine. I'm not sure how the staff can tell how far along someone is but I think the guidlines are for the mother more than the airlines. Like basically saying don't fly after 36 weeks

Pilot12 · 31/12/2019 16:24

Ask your Midwife. She might be able to do it or she could make an appointment for you with one of the Consultants/Doctors at the hospital.

My GP does them but they're not free, it costs £25.

Original poster

pinkpeoniesplease · 31/12/2019 16:42

Hopefully Midwife will get back to me this week! I don't want to waste anyone's time and it feels a bit cheeky so I'm reluctant to kick up a fuss, I'm obviously happy to pay for it. Just don't want to waste thousands of pounds because the GP doesn't want to sign the form!

So airlines are happy with Midwife signing it?

Also, good point about the airline not knowing how far along you are! I just know I won't relax until the plane has taken off, I booked the holiday before getting pregnant and probably wouldn't have bothered if I'd know as this is just added stress!

OP posts:

Emelene · 31/12/2019 16:47

Yes midwife is probably best placed for this. Not fair to ask a GP who probably hasn't examined you or looked after your pregnancy to put their registration on the line to say you're fit to fly?

itbemay · 31/12/2019 16:49

It is down to the midwife to do this for you, the GP isn't contracted to do them anymore , some GPs do but they don't have to. You could always consult a private GP to get this done if it is causing you stress. Enjoy your holiday

worried111111 · 31/12/2019 16:51

I asked for one three times and GP and midwife were happy to do it for me. For free.

Never had to show it to anyone. At check in they asked how far along I was and that was it, I didn't have to prove it. But I was happy I had the note on me anyway. The GP has seen me regularly throughout my pregnancy as I've had different niggles I had to go to them for.

I flew both long haul and short haul in my pregnancy and only started taking the note with me after 25 weeks. Before then I flew without.

Best of luck to you !

MarySidney · 31/12/2019 16:54

You should check to make sure your insurance is valid if you're not certified fit to fly if you're over the advised limits. Also check to see that your baby is covered as well as you.

Indella · 31/12/2019 16:57

Midwife here, 👋

Your midwife will do it for you after an antenatal check to make sure all is ok. Unless you are consultant led in which case it needs to be your consultant.

SonicVersusGynaephobia · 31/12/2019 17:03

What is the risk about flying while pregnant? Is it that it might induce labour, or something else?

Engard · 31/12/2019 17:25

Eek definitely push for one!
I went to Spain this year at 20 weeks pregnant, it was fine getting there but they asked to see my fit to fly note on the way home or they wouldn’t let me fly back! Fortunately I was early enough that I didn’t technically need a note so my medical notes (I had them just in case) were enough to get me back.
If your regular GP won’t do it then find your local drop in or ring triage.

KTD27 · 31/12/2019 17:28

I flew at 35 weeks (brothers wedding) and my midwife wrote mine but despite being the size of two houses they didn’t ask. Do check insurance though. Mine would have covered absolutely nothing. Didn’t cost a lot to get specialist insurance for the week I was away which would have covered both me and baby if She’d arrived early

Aneley · 31/12/2019 17:30

We did the private one because our GP office said they're not sure they can get us one on time (They did in the end, but we couldn't risk it as we were to travel on a very short notice due to family health issue). The private office required a full check and ultrasound to issue us the letter and it was not cheap but we got the letter the same day we booked our appointment. So yes, you can do it privately.

Aneley · 31/12/2019 17:31

Btw, I was asked to show the letter at both check in and in the plane. I was 29w at the time and the airline had 28w rule (above that you needed to have fit to fly letter).

KittenVsXmastree · 31/12/2019 17:37

It's not so much the risk to you, more the cost to the airline if there is a medical emergency and the plane needs to divert. Basically, they dont want you to have an issue while flying! Long haul also slightly increases the risk of DVT.

PennyRoyal · 31/12/2019 17:40

As a PP said, please check your insurance before you go. Some standard off the shelf/bank account travel policies won't cover you and you'll need to either declare pregnancy as a "pre existing condition" or take out a separate policy.

BikeRunSki · 31/12/2019 18:01

What is the risk about flying while pregnant? Is it that it might induce labour, or something else?

The airlines don’t particularly want babies to be born on board!

SonicVersusGynaephobia · 31/12/2019 18:22

The airlines don’t particularly want babies to be born on board!

Well yes but is it that the altitude for some reason makes it more likely to be born on board? Or is it purely that the closer to 36 weeks you are, the more likely you are to go into labour?

Original poster

pinkpeoniesplease · 31/12/2019 18:51

Thank you all, it's helpful to hear the experience of others. I'll see what the Midwife says. It's slightly complicated by the fact that I need to see a Consultant on Thursday as I've had a previous caesarean so I'll see if they discharge me back to Midwife lead care...

Those who have bought specialist insurance, any company you'd particularly recommend?

OP posts:

BikeRunSki · 31/12/2019 19:06

@SonicVersusGynaephobia, I believe it’s a bit of both. My aunt had a baby in her destination airport, at least she was flying home (Back to the UK living abroad, 35 weeks pg).

OneHanded · 31/12/2019 23:10

@SonicVersusGynaephobia @BikeRunSki no it’s soley because you’re at 30000 in a metal box in the sky with medical equipment and trained midwives/doctors

OneHanded · 31/12/2019 23:12

Changes in pressure are also thought to increase chances of waters breaking I think but I don’t know how extensively it has actually been studied!

Engard · 31/12/2019 23:32

It's simply because you can't get access to medical care up there. It was recommended I didn't fly when I was diagnosed with placenta previa as I would need medical care within the hour which you can't get up in the sky 🤷🏻‍♀️

Indella · 01/01/2020 02:07

As others have said no access to medical care, risk of delivering a premature baby onboard, increased risk of DVT which is already increased in pregnancy anyway, risk of triggering any pre-existing medical conditions. If you have pre-eclampsia etc. flying can further increase your blood pressure as well as further increase your risk of DVT. Lots of variables to consider.

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