Anyone been abroad past 25 weeks pregnant, is it ok?

[holidaymuchwanted]

Have the opportunity to fly abroad for a 2 week holiday in May, I'd be 25 weeks when we fly out- 6 hour flight.

Am I mad to consider this?

I'd love to go but don't want to be selfish as baby comes first.

If I commit now and change my mind I'd lose my money.

I'm flying in 3 weeks to Portugal for 10 nights. I'll be 26 weeks and can't wait!

What is your main concern?

I flew long haul (really, really long haul) at about that gestation. I absolutely needed to because of a family matter.
I had SPD. It was doable, but it really sucked.

I wouldn't choose to do it if I didn't need to. In your circumstances I'm not sure I'd fly if it was just for a holiday. I'd book somewhere closer.

I went at 31 weeks. If you wish to go and you have no health conditions that mean you cannot fly there is no reason not to plenty of people do it. I think you are worrying too much!

I went at 28 weeks I remember being nervous because I heard the airline like a letter from your GP in third trimester but they said nothing 😅
I did find the holiday a bit boring compared to my usual ones with DH though.. I think I missed being the carefree tipsy girl at the pool bar, also I found I was more nervous of the quality of the food etc etc but I'm sure if you go to a lovely resort or self-cater it must be better!

I did a physically intense training course abroad for work at around 32 weeks - it was ace! A bit of “normality” although I was waddling around like a whale compared to my young, fit colleagues. Bit of time in the sun, too. Go for it, and enjoy!

Abroad now at 29 weeks. Of course I can’t do what I usually would on holiday or make the most of the all inclusive! But it’s lovely to be getting some sunshine and feel healthy to be swimming every day.
Had a 4 hr flight with no problems, hopefully the way back in a few days will be the same!
If you have no complications I’d say go for it.

I have just got back from Tenerife. It was fine :) so nice to relax as well. I am 25 weeks x

What is the healthcare like where you’re going? Particularly maternity provision?

6 hours from UK could be Canada, Dubai or some random island in the Atlantic or off the coast of Africa. Huge difference in hospital and maternity care in each of those parts of the world.

What does your insurance cover you for? That would be my only worry, insurance and how easy it would be to access emergency care should you need it.

I have a 2 week holiday to Turkey booked for May and I'll be 22 weeks then. If Covid restrictions allow and I'm well enough then I'll definitely be going! Have you enjoy yourself still don't you

I flew home long haul at 25 weeks (2 flights, one was 11 hours) - it was fine but noticeably more uncomfortable than the flight out. I think that was partly as I was trying to sleep as it was a night flight. Still thought it was worth it for the trip though!

I did that at 35 weeks. We went somewhere with great healthcare, got specialist travel insurance, and my doctor signed me off as low risk. It was absolutely fine.

My brother is getting married abroad (lives abroad rather than just a destination wedding) when I'll be 24 weeks. My main concern is that anything past 24 weeks and you're at viability, which means if you do go into early labour and baby pulls through you could end up with a baby needing months of neonatal care abroad before they could safely be repatriated home. That leaves the question of travel insurance cover and what would happen from a practical perspective if you can't go home and just leave baby for that period. I've been looking at travel insurance and it's clear you are almost always covered for pregnancy complications if you're not within 12 weeks of your due date, including early labour, but it's not clear if my cover would then extend comprehensively to baby itself. I need to speak to some of the insurers to get clarity.

Obviously the chances of early labour at 24/25 weeks is low but I want to make sure I am covering off the risk.

Check with your airline as I needed a fit to fly note at about 28 weeks. It was fine though. Seat belt was a bit questionable (I was huge) and there was a thing coming through customs in the way back where I got frisked 😂

Make sure you have comprehensive insurance.

I know someone who unexpectedly gave birth at 30 weeks in a European country. It was their first baby and it turns out they are unable to carry babies anywhere near full term but they didn't know this.