Long haul flight at 31 weeks Mexico

[Nikki037297]

We booked a holiday before we found out I was pregnant to Mexico from UK, it’s a long haul flight and Iv had a bit Google and it seams fairly safe aslong as your not high risk. I haven’t been a high risk with my other pregnancies and have always given birth at term never early. Iv read about the Zika virus but that only seams dangerous in early pregnancy.

So has anyone else went somewhere really hot in late pregnancy? How was it?
How is Mexico for heavily pregnant women?
Will I need a different insurance rather than just the one I took out while booking the holiday?

I did go on holiday in my last pregnancy at 28 weeks and that was fine I didn’t need a doctors note or anything special, will I this time?
I don’t meet my midwife for another week so can’t ask for another week and I’m getting worried incase I need to change the dates or cancel it

Most travel insurance will only cover you up to 32 weeks pregnant. What would happen if you went into early labour and had to stay in Mexico for several weeks post-birth? I wouldn't do it... could you not bring it forward?

It matches my partners work holidays so it’s either then or next spring he’s used up his holidays already for now. Am I likely to go into pre term labour if I never have before?

It is a bit late to be travelling that far and it's likely that you'll need a doctor's note saying you're safe to fly (check your airline's policy about this as they are all different). I went to Thailand and back from the UK between 26 and 29 weeks and took a note from my doctor with me for the flight home because the airline required it after 28 weeks. At check in, they told me it had to have been issued within the last week so it wasn't valid. Thankfully, there was a clinic at the airport where I could pay for one and I got on the flight. So that's something to keep in mind.

Ultimately, it's up to you what you feel comfortable with. If you do decide to go, I'd highly recommend paying extra for leg room (if you go economy class), buying some good DVT socks, moving around a lot, keeping your feet elevated if possible, and drinking lots of water.

@Nikki037297 it's impossible to say, every pregnancy is different. You could have all sorts of complications, even if you haven't had them before. I honestly wouldn't risk it, but perhaps wait and speak to your midwife before deciding. You'll also need to check with the airline as to whether they'll accept you and whether you need a fit to fly certificate. I'm 31 weeks and I can't imagine sitting on a plane for 9 or 10 hours - I think I'd even struggle in business class tbh x

On the heat question — I loved it in Thailand but this will totally depend on you and your pregnancy, as well as how comfortable you are at that stage. I don't imagine it being a huge issue if you're feeling generally good and can get in the sea and rooms with aircon for breaks when needed.

Honestly no way I'd be going anywhere hot that pregnant - lockdown summer when it was hot here I was bloody miserable and that was at around 20 weeks let alone 31!

Have you been to Mexico before OP? I went years ago (not pregnant) but have never experienced heat and humidity like it. I'm quite fair skinned but I literally burnt to a crisp wearing SPF50 being out in the sun for about 20 mins - had blistering and heat stroke. I did get used to the heat as the holiday went on but I cannot imagine being there heavily pregnant!

Ds1 was born at 42 weeks after a long induction, DD was born at 29 weeks by Caesarian after she became ill. All pregnancies are different and all babies are different. I’d check your insurance covers you for if you do need a check up for movement etc

Do you speak Spanish? If you did need emergency medical help would you be able to communicate this to the drs? It's not just preterm labour but other complications. I developed preeclampsia in my second pregnancy, never had it in my first. I personally wouldn't risk it.
Never mind the uncomfortableness of sitting on a plane for 10hrs or being hot and bothered all the time.

@Nikki037297

It matches my partners work holidays so it’s either then or next spring he’s used up his holidays already for now. Am I likely to go into pre term labour if I never have before?

Entirely possible.

You would be irresponsible to travel.

You would need instance for yourself (although tbh I’m not sure you would get it ) and separate insurance for the baby because once they are born ( if you went into premature labour) it won’t be covered by your insurance . Your insurance will also need to cover you staying in the country if the baby can’t leave hospital and repatriation afterwards. If it’s a package most companies wouldn’t fly you at that stage of pregnancy .

I went to South Africa heavily preggers (I think at 33 weeks). I literally flew back and started Nct classes that night

It’s a tough flight. I had a fit to fly note from my doctors and insurance that covered me and the baby if anything were to happen.
I had to do it and I wouldn’t do a flight like that for a holiday that pregnant after that experience.
If you have more specific questions ask away I’m happy to answer.

There is specialist insurance for it @cyclamenqueen but it’s costly.

I’d check your insurance covers you for if you do need a check up for movement etc

You also need insurance that will cover the baby, in case she/he should arrive early while you are in Mexico. You could end up needing weeks of neonatal care, plus the cost of you and your partner staying in Mexico until you can bring the baby home.

I've read about more than one case where a baby arrived unexpectedly early when the parents were on holiday abroad.

I wouldn't do it. I'm quite cautious but if you had the baby early you could be put there for months with him or her.
I'd cancel and do something later on with the baby too.
Go to a lovely Uk hotel for a few days

@Username7521 I’m generally fit and healthy, slim and don’t get a big bump at all so I didn’t think I’d find it too uncomfortable and in my last pregnancy the flight was 5 hours and I felt absolutely fine.
What are nct classes? Did the airport ask you any questions about your pregnancy? With my last one they didn’t at all nobody even asked how far on I was or anything but like I say I don’t usually get too big. Would you take out the insurance now or nearer the time?

@Tigerlily08

Have you been to Mexico before OP? I went years ago (not pregnant) but have never experienced heat and humidity like it. I'm quite fair skinned but I literally burnt to a crisp wearing SPF50 being out in the sun for about 20 mins - had blistering and heat stroke. I did get used to the heat as the holiday went on but I cannot imagine being there heavily pregnant!

As tigerlily says. It’s hot and can be extremely humid. Someone I know who was emigrating from Canada to uk went into labour unexpectedly on the aircraft, luckily it wasn’t long after taking off so could land somewhere in Canada (but very remote). But was a very traumatic experience.

I'm 31 weeks now and I would pay money not to do a journey like that, this is my 2nd pregnancy, 1st was trouble free until early labour started and stopped a few times at 30 weeks ish then on bed rest into another early labour at 36 weeks, which carried on so was admitted then and delivered early. This time was fine up until about a month ago, now I can hardly move with PGP (never had that last time, hard to sit or lie or walk) and a few other things have put me high risk. Both pregnancies were fine, easy, up until then, no pre existingproblems, fit, healthy etc. So hard to say, but its a long way from home amd possibly an extremely uncomfortable journey. Blood clot risks from flying too I guess, not sure? Every pregnancy is different as pps say, so many variables, no one will be able to tell you it'll be ok, because most of pregnancy and birth is 'nobody knows'.

I could have said the same for my pregnancy. Was still running and did yoga twice a week. Mine was a total of 16 hours travelling (two flights). The longer one was almost 12 hours and it was a tough. It’s a route I do a lot but it was difficult. Apparently it’s got something to do with the plane oxygen. Yes I was asked for documentation both and check in and boarding the plane.

Nct classes are the classes you do before giving birth.

I would get insurance closer to the time. There aren’t many providers (I’m in the Uk) and it was really expensive but it was good cover for me and the baby.

When are you planning on flying?

I've been to mexico, wasn't pregnant at the time but did have a two year old. 10 hours flight was an absolute killer as it is, let alone pregnant. The heat was extreme but the humidity was the worst, you just didn't feel clean ever ! I was a constant sweaty mess and I personally wouldn't want to feel like that while pregnant. Ultimately it's your choice but just as pp have said make sure you're covered etc. one thing I'll say is my son was taken ill while there and ended up in hospital in playa del carmen and the doctors and nurses were fantastic, hospital was really clean etc

Crikey, at 32 weeks now, I can barely get in the bloody car let alone sit on a plane for ten hours!

I'm not going anywhere far, but each to their own.

@Username7521 it’s in august.
Iv checked the airline I’m flying with they wills fly me up until 36 weeks long haul or short haul as long as I have a note from my doctor if I’m more than 28 weeks to say I’m a low risk and good to go so that’s made me feel a bit more at ease

I'm just back from Portugal at 28 weeks! Found the flight ok but definitely uncomfortable towards the end (only 3 and a bit hours). Luckily didn't have reduced movements when away for the 10 days but did struggle at times with the heat and it was only max 20 degrees x

I flew to Italy in a heatwave around 31 weeks. It was ok but the airline was reluctant to let me fly so I’d advise bringing your notes and get your midwife to write a safe to fly note or something