Overseas travel at 5 months pregnant

[secondontheway]

Hey lovelies,

My boss has asked if I want to go to San Fran in Jan and Austria in Feb for work.

I'll be 5 and 6 months pregnant at thy stage and I'm a bit worried about travelling for a couple of reasons - 1 - I feel pretty crappy and still do at 14 weeks and 2 - covid :/

What do you think?

It's up to you but make sure you have proper insurance cover, especially if going to the US.

I personally wouldn't have chosen it but there are many individual factors, I have friends who have flown to the US for family events when pregnant with no issues.

Going for work is different though, would the itinerary be really full? Would you travel business class?

I travelled mid/long haul fairly frequently during my pregnancy, the latest being at 36 weeks, and it was fine. I did have good insurance though, and a fairly uneventful pregnancy.

I travelled up to 32 weeks, after being fully vaccinated, doing lots of covid tests, always wearing a mask, and being very careful. Didn't fly further than 5 hours though so can't comment on long haul risks or comfort.

Some airlines need super specific documentation after 26-28 weeks so be really mindful of that and talk it through with them beforehand to make absolutely sure you have all the right forms signed. For example you may need a letter from your GP (rather than signature from midwife), and check when the validity expires (e.g. what if you need the form re-signed mid-trip?). Ryanair won't care/check but some others def will. I found this by far more challenging to deal with than any covid concerns.

I found it empowering to keep doing my job despite being very pregnant : )

Thank you all! Super useful tips. Hoping to feel better soon. And I'll be requesting business class for sure

Pre covid I travelled long haul to Canada when I was 4/5 months pregnant and it was fine. Just make sure you have compression socks for the plane, drink plenty, and keep getting up to move around. Hopefully you'll be out of the first trimester grottiness and feeling a bit better by then!