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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

flying in pregnancy, when should I stop?

26 replies

Luckyme30 · 31/03/2020 06:29

So due to covid-19 my holiday in May is likely to get cancelled - I would have been around 15 weeks pregnant so as far as I’m aware that would have been safe to fly.

I’ve heard that agents (I’m booked with TUI) are giving the option to re-book later on in the year has obviously that is only an option for me for a limited time.

When would you stop flying when pregnant?? Are there any rules on when I should and shouldn’t fly?

Also does anyone know if the EHIC covers maternity care, should anything happen whilst we’re away?

OP posts:

Etinox · 31/03/2020 06:36

I’d rebook it for next May. Babies are free under 2 and yours should still be small enough to travel without too much kit and wriggling hassle.

Beau2020 · 31/03/2020 07:15

Would you really want to risk flying this year now with everything going on?

Original poster

Luckyme30 · 31/03/2020 07:35

i guess not but my problem is that I have been told they are not issuing refunds so not sure what else I’m supposed to do?!!!

I don’t really want to loose £2,000 if I can help it!

OP posts:

ChipsAreLife · 31/03/2020 07:49

I really wouldn't go abroad pregnant this year. I believe the govt advice is for women in third trimester to pretty much self isolate, not sure when this will change.

Can you rebook for next?

Beau2020 · 31/03/2020 07:57

Hmm that's a bit annoying! Did you book with credit card? You might be able to get a refund through your bank or insurance?

Meadows89 · 31/03/2020 08:04

Each airline sets out their own rules on how far along they let pregnant women fly so worth checking their FAQs.

Most airlines will want you to get a fit to fly letter from your GP when you're over 28 weeks pregnant and this usually comes at a charge which varies from surgery to surgery. I've known people to fly up to 35 weeks but I wouldn't recommend any later than that.

haveanapple · 31/03/2020 08:28

36 weeks but after that with a fit to fly letter from your GP (not that anyone checked mine)

Original poster

Luckyme30 · 31/03/2020 08:37

Thanks all. I’m really concerned about flying too late on so think I’m either going to have to rebook for next year (not sure if that’s wise, with what would be a 6 month old baby? We will be first time parents and I have no clue how/ if we would manage?) or try and get a refund.

I think it’s really unfair that we may not be able to get a refund and I just don’t know if I can go abroad with a 6 month old, I’m slightly scared being a first time mum. How easy/difficult would it be?

OP posts:

discodoorbell · 31/03/2020 08:39

The companies are encouraging people to rebook but legally you are entitled to a refund if they cancel - so do push for it.

This article explains: https://www.theguardian.com/money/2020/mar/30/coronavirus-travel-shutdown-your-rights-flights-tours-accommodation?CMP=Share iOSAppp_Other

WaitingForTheTsunami · 31/03/2020 08:42

Flying with a tiny baby is much less scary than you might think. I found it less stressful flying with 10 week old DS2 than 2 year old DS1.

discodoorbell · 31/03/2020 08:46

Also re: travelling with a baby, at that age (6m or under) they will probably nap on the plane and around the airport in a sling/baby carrier. My flight out with a 6mo was great, return was awful but travelling with an 18mo is much harder!

Honeyroar · 31/03/2020 08:51

I agree with Discodoorbell, a six month old is easy to fly with (unless you’re one of those parents who insist they need everything the baby owns in several bags onboard with them) and an18 month old is, erm, challenging! (I’m crew, I’ve met hundreds of babies on planes).

KHall84 · 31/03/2020 08:52

@Luckyme30 I would rebook for next year and take baby, I took my 1st baby away when he was 6 months old and can honestly say it was just as easy as when it was the 2 of us and I planned on taking my 4yr old this year and what would of been 10 week old baby of course this has changed now but it really is alot easier than a 2yr old upwards when you have to entertain them, my baby slept most of the plane journey and was asleep every night when we went for dinner so we ate peacefully together as the heat makes them more tired xx

Chipmonkeypoopoo · 31/03/2020 08:54

I've done lots of flights (short and long haul), trips and holidays with our baby. He's now 8.5 months. They've all been fine.

Original poster

Luckyme30 · 31/03/2020 08:57

Oh wow seems it won’t be as bad as I imagine then... just really nervous about it but myself and my partner do enjoy our holidays so it’s good to hear that this could still be a big part of our lives without too much trouble :)

I will try for a refund first but if not it’s good to know that it may not be too much trouble if we decide to postpone for a year :)

OP posts:

CoolNoMore · 31/03/2020 09:04

Hey hey! Sounds like your confidence is growing, but I'll just add that I've flown with my son short haul regularly up to six months, long haul at 6 months, 14 months and then again at 2 years and 2 months. 6 months is very easy, but 14 months was pretty easy too. Breastfeeding makes everything sooo much easier, if you can do it. I pretty much used my nipple as a dummy... worked for us!

BiddyPop · 31/03/2020 09:27

I think airlines differ between 28-32 weeks. I know I was officially not allowed to fly home from my last work trip at 32+4, but I had a letter and was neat enough so they never asked about it. But I could have had an interesting land trip home from Geneva to Dublin!!

I flew to Cuba and back at 10+5 and 12+3, which was fairly seriously long haul. I had checked with GP before paying the final balance on that holiday.

And then I had a number of short haul trips, to London, Brussels (a few) and Geneva, during the rest of the PG, mostly for work. The flying part was fine, I changed my normal pattern asking for window seats to ask for aisle seats instead (this was before you could book your own seats). And I always drank plenty of water. And I gave myself more time to get places - instead of my usual rush to get to the airport 10 minutes before check-in closed, I would leave an hour earlier and be able to walk in relatively relaxed, and also just walk rather than dash through security and down to the gates.

notimagain · 31/03/2020 09:47

UK CAA guidance regarding pregnancy and flying here:

www.caa.co.uk/Passengers/Before-you-fly/Am-I-fit-to-fly/Guidance-for-health-professionals/Pregnancy/

Caspianberg · 31/03/2020 10:34

I would probably try and reschedule to fly with baby also. I have flown so far up to 26 weeks, now 35 weeks and don't think I would have wanted to fly over 28/30 weeks as uncomfortable.

With current situation a trip any time this year is going to be iffy booking now as you won't be sure what the countries restrictions are.

sel2223 · 31/03/2020 12:49

I'm in a LDR and currently stuck in a different country to baby's dad so if flight restrictions are lifted and I get an opportunity to fly to see him before the birth then I will do.
If it was just a holiday, then I'd probably look to put it off till next year as a precaution.

The official advice is that you're fine to travel up to 28 weeks but need a fit to fly from your doctor or midwife for anything between 28 and 35 weeks.
Most airlines and insurance companies say no to travel after that.

Chipmonkeypoopoo · 31/03/2020 12:54

Yes you can definitely still holiday with a little one but manage your expectations. My husband and I are hugely experienced travellers (live overseas and I used to work in international development etc.) and although we do still enjoy our holidays they are more work than they used to be. Our last one was a nice Airbnb with a pool so that was good. I would go to somewhere like the Med early June or September or whatever. Not in the peak of summer as the heat is really a factor that can make or break your holiday with a little one. Sitting out the day in a hotel room isn't much fun. And I say that as a sun loving, heat loving Greek with a baby born in a summer of average temps of 38 degrees C whose first sea side holiday was at 5 weeks.

Darkstar4855 · 31/03/2020 15:29

Can you claim on your travel insurance and get a refund that way?

BiddyPop · 31/03/2020 15:51

We brought 9mo DD with us by plane on holidays, and it was relatively easy. I think we stayed home the following summer, or even 2 (self catering holiday in this country, I mean), and drove/ferry to UK to Center Parcs the following year (I think she was 3, may have been 4). We didn't actually fly with her again until she was 5, and that was long haul (USA) - but well planned.

Definitely, 9 months was the easiest travel of them all.

Viletta · 01/04/2020 22:47

I don't think you have to re-book. If you wait till the date, the flight will be cancelled and you'll get a refund.

mathanxiety · 01/04/2020 22:52

Rebook for a time before your baby is crawling ( I would say before 6 months).

You will feel like old hands by 4 months and at that age the baby will be very portable, still exclusively fed on milk, and very likely not crawling and needing to be watched like a hawk every minute of the day.

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