Am I absolutely mad? Flying while 36 weeks pregnant

[Mamaof2tobee]

Tomorrow my mum is having a heart operation. Has been planned for a while. Doctor said I can go to visit her. Driving would not be feasible as I get car sick but I am OK with planes. Pregnancy has been uncomplicated and have had my fit to fly form signed.

But tonight I’ve been having second thoughts about this. Baby is showing no signs of moving and it’s only an hour flight. Don’t know what to do 😕

Are you staying within the U.K./ your home country? If so it’s probably less of a problem. I wouldn’t travel abroad at this stage

I live in England, travelling to ireland

I wouldn’t sit on a plane that close to my due date given Covid- pregnant women are to be extra vigilant in their 3rd trimester.

No experience of this but I think I would go. Would it be horrible if you had the baby while you're there? If not, then do it. You've been approved to fly and it's a very short flight!

Have you checked with the actual airline that you’re allowed to fly? Doctors permission or not, they have their own rules on this

If you are travelling from England to Ireland you must restrict your movements for 2 weeks when you arrive. You would not be able to visit your mum in hospital and should not be meeting anyone else either.

That's what - a one hour flight? I wouldn't think twice.

Do it. Especially as it's for a very important reason. I would bring your pregnancy notes with you. How would you feel if you had to give birth there? Do you have a partner and if so, are they coming?

You'll need to quarantine for two weeks on arrival.

I wouldn't. But that's because my DS1 arrived at 36 + 2 with NO warning, after an uneventful pregnancy. I too would have had a fit to fly cert issued.

Unfortunately you have to self-quarantine in Ireland for two weeks, so you won't be able to visit her immediately. Which is so shit, I know.

If I were to give birth I think it would be OK. I know where to get nappies baby clothes and car seat etc just in case. Have checked with the airline and they said it’s fine. Thanks all xx

Unless you can fly to n ireland and then drive South you'll have to quarantine.

www2.hse.ie/conditions/coronavirus/travel.html

The explanation of the “restricted movement” is in the link above.

While you are in Ireland you will not be allowed to use public transport, enter shops, visit people or meet face to face with someone who would be at high risk if they got Covid, that would presumably include your mother both pre and post op.

If you can’t actually see her why would you travel?

Quarantaine ?

Fit to fly letter from the midwife/gp for the airline?

I doubt you would be allowed to fly, and the quarantine would mean visits to the hospital to visit your mum unlikely, then returning back to England at 38 weeks plus?

I wouldn't risk it unless I was planning on giving birth there. Then expect to stay on until you can get a passport sorted for baby.

When I originally booked the flight it said on Gov.uk that I wouldn’t have to quarantine, seems to have changed now. Looks like I’m going to have to cancel. Planning to take baby once this is over. Thanks all didn’t realise that I had to quarantine for 2 weeks so it’s just pointless now xxx

The .gov.uk site would not be giving advice for Ireland. We have had quarantine for people arriving for quite a while now.

You have to quarantine for 2 weeks on arrival.

Your mum is high risk, in a cardiac unit for cardiac surgery, cardiac patients are more at risk of Covid, why would you even think of visiting her ? You could be asymptomatic and spread it to her or other vulnerable people. Are you thinking straight ?

You also can’t fly with a new baby. I think the baby has to be a minimum of 14 days old so if you did give birth there you’d be stuck there for a while with a newborn and none of the essential baby equipment.

Are you sure your mum is allowed visitors? Lots of places still aren't. Sorry you're in this situation. I'd wait and bring baby with you when mum is a bit better and things clearer with covid.

It is disappointing for you.

Hopefully your mum will be well and you will be able to do a longer trip after the baby is born and you have time to quarantine.

Please don’t come to Ireland and enter a hospital without a 2 week period of restricted movement.

Sorry cross posted with your update!