Holiday at 33 weeks pregnant?

[LouLikesLollies]

Would it be silly to consider going away for a week abroad at 33 weeks pregnant? I’m a FTM so no idea if it is risky in terms of flying, or being away from the uk, or just I’ll be too uncomfortable! Any advice welcomed!

I know I would have been very uncomfortable and incredibly tired (I had insomnia after 28 weeks), and I also threw up if I got too hot so warm places was a no no for me, but I am not a good pregnant person. I wouldnt go somewhere expensive or far in case you felt awful and wanted to come home (so I would keep it UK), or where you would have to walk a fair bit, but if you are relaxing by a pool and having someone hand you a dinner and its very chill, I say go for it.

Maybe make sure its refundable.

I wouldn’t even consider it - my waters broke at 34 weeks. I think as a FTM you don’t know what might happen and I wouldn’t be comfortable with that - not even considering general physical discomfort!

33 weeks is a bit late for an overseas holiday when pregnant I think but it depends what you're comfortable with!

I’ve flown at 35 weeks. It was short haul and no I wasn’t uncomfortable or at least I was no more uncomfortable than I was at home! Depends on your reasons for travel as to whether or not it’s worth it. I visited family for a significant event but I don’t think I would have been that up for a holiday as I wouldn’t have got that much enjoyment out of it.

If you do want to go ahead then you should be able to. Check the individual airline policy but most will let you fly up to 36 weeks. You will need to get a fitness to fly certificate from your doctor/midwife. In my experience the airline won’t actually ask you for this but you are still supposed to have it. You can be at greater risk of blood clots so consider wearing those compression flight socks. Also check your travel insurance thoroughly and ensure you and the baby would covered if you did go into labour abroad.

As far as I know there’s not a huge risk with regards to flying itself, if it’s a long haul flight you’d be advised to get up and walk about etc. I think there’s far more risk with just being further away from home with differing healthcare options should anything go wrong, not to mention the ongoing pandemic as my understanding is the vaccine is safe for breastfeeding mothers but isn’t routinely being offered to pregnant women?

You’d also need a letter from your midwife which states you are fit to fly to show at the airport should they ask you for it.

I went on a UK spa break at 28 weeks with my 1st and it was fine. Lots of lazing around, gentle exercise, good food.
I'm currently 31 weeks pregnant ( with my 2nd) and I'm really struggling this time. Maybe because im older this time (mid 30's). If lockdown hadn't happened we would have had our yearly UK break in Feb but I'm not sure I would have enjoyed it. I have no energy and very poor sleep - plus this baby is going to be enormous so I feel big and uncomfortable all the time. Walking for more than a few minutes causes me a lot of pain.

Years ago I went on holiday with my sister (Spain) when she was 30 weeks and she didn't do any of the activities the rest of us did. She was only 24 years old so can't blame her struggle on age. She spent most of the time in her apartment as she couldn't tolerate the sun for long ( she burnt a lot more easily whilst pregnant). She said she enjoyed the holiday but all she did was sleep, hide in her room and eat out a couple of times ( only in the evenings) 🤷

I'm sure a trip away would be lovely but it depends on how you feel. Don't book anything to energetic.

Waters went with first at 35 weeks, I think I flew at 32. Only Berlin and one of the group was a GP so not without medical aid if needed. The seat belt was the biggest issue.

Twins second time so I wouldn't have flown after about 20 weeks tbh. With a single I'd have prob knocked it back to 30.

How long is the flight? How hot? Short flight to cool Berlin Vs long flight to hot N Africa for example....

I've never flown pregnant. If you are well and not high risk of early labor you'll be okay to fly at that stage (airline allowing). If it's a very hot country, you will be uncomfortable, It's uncomfortable enough in the 3rd trimester without a hot climate.

I did a 4 hour drive without a stop at 36wks pregnant to collect oh after deployment, sitting that long wasn't too bad. I wouldn't have done it with 2nd onwards though as I had spd/pgp and sitting for long periods was pretty painful.

Id truly save the money and go once you’ve had the baby

I flew home from a 2 week business trip 3 days past the "no more flying" limit on my airline, had a letter from gp that I was fit to fly and made sure I booked an aisle seat. Only hassles were needing a seatbelt expander for comfort and bursting into tears on take off (particularly mortifying as a senior exec was beside me and horrified at my emotions - I was absolutely fine 10 minutes later it had been the realisation that, while I might be back again sometime, I would never again have the type of trips this had been (I used to do a LOT of travel for work, and leisure) and never needed to worrying about anything except me and the work - DH was well able to fend for himself in my absence , and vice versa).

I couldn’t have after 20 weeks (had to be within 20 minutes of the hospital at all times) so if you plan it get very comprehensive insurance.

I'm 34 weeks now and I personally wouldn't go abroad at the moment. My back and hips hurt so the flight would be uncomfortable, I have no idea how I'd get on or off a sun lounger, on a good day I can walk a couple of miles but that will be the day done and I can't eat properly because my stomach is all baby - so basically all the things I enjoy doing on holiday are off the table. Add in a bit of worry about something happening while away and I don't think I'd enjoy it. I actually ended up in hospital overnight at 33wks because of suspected premature labour - everything was fine and they did all the right monitoring and tests but if I'd been abroad it would've been pretty scary I think. If I could find somewhere nice an hour or so from home in the UK just to get a mini break in I'd definitely consider it!

I will have a spa break with a huge fluffy pillowed bed at 36/37 weeks, but it will be 45 mins from my hospital

I would have done it (and would consider it again now I'm pregnant with my second), but I do admittedly seem to sail through pregnancy without a hitch.

I'm actually planning to camp (UK) in August this year when I'll be 36/37 weeks. I camped during the third trimester of my last pregnancy and found it was OK with an air bed and pillows!

If you're going abroad you'll need a FTF letter as PPs have said and most importantly make sure you're 100% medically covered by your travel insurance, nothing case anything happens while you're abroad and for repatriation home (medical care abroad and neo natal air ambulances are not cheap, I used to work in the travel/medical insurance industry).

• just in case

Don’t forget that reciprocal care is largely a thing of the past, make sure you have watertight insurance covering premature birth, or inability to fly pre birth requiring you to stay put, accommodation for partner, and for yourself if a premature baby has to be kept in hospital. Also find out if prem babies need specialist support to fly home.

alternatively make sure you have some good sad face pictures for your go fund me page.

I would personally only consider a UK based holiday, even then I'd try to stay as local as possible. Things can happen very quickly and suddenly in pregnancy, not necessarily a bad thing, but you'd just want to be near your local hospital for peace of mind. Unless absolutely necessary, I would abstain from flying after 20 weeks really.

@viques

Don’t forget that reciprocal care is largely a thing of the past, make sure you have watertight insurance covering premature birth, or inability to fly pre birth requiring you to stay put, accommodation for partner, and for yourself if a premature baby has to be kept in hospital. Also find out if prem babies need specialist support to fly home.

alternatively make sure you have some good sad face pictures for your go fund me page.

Some very pertinent comments, albeit slightly sarcastic on the end, but true nonetheless

Thanks so much for all the comments! After giving it some thought I’m thinking a uk spa break will be a much better idea! Save the sun and sangria for next year 🤞🏻