Flying in pregnancy

[kitty1993]

Currently 14 weeks pregnant and looking at a possible last holiday in the sun before baby arrives. The earliest DP and I can get away would be middle of June which puts me at around 28-29 weeks. I know it's safe to fly in pregnancy and most airlines will let you fly until around 36-37 weeks. But I really want to hear about peoples experiences of flying at this stage of pregnancy. Is it OK? Anything I might need to think of? What's the best way to make it more comfortable?
The plan is a weeks holiday in the sun doing very little and probably somewhere like Spain or Gran Canaria which won't be too much time on the plane travelling.
Thanks for any tips and advice ❤️

I would not feel comfortable going unless the local hospitals had the facilities to care for premature babies.

Some hospitals only have the facilities to care for babies from 32 weeks gestational age. Your outcomes couldn’t be potentially much worse if you went into premature labour or had any complications compared to being in the UK.

I would definitely go away, fly and enjoy my holiday at 29 weeks- but I would make sure my insurance was ironclad and the local hospitals were able to provide good care.

I am doing the same- flying at 30 weeks but shouldn’t anything happen, then the local hospital can care for babies from 24 weeks.

@Suprima

I would not feel comfortable going unless the local hospitals had the facilities to care for premature babies.

Some hospitals only have the facilities to care for babies from 32 weeks gestational age. Your outcomes couldn’t be potentially much worse if you went into premature labour or had any complications compared to being in the UK.

I would definitely go away, fly and enjoy my holiday at 29 weeks- but I would make sure my insurance was ironclad and the local hospitals were able to provide good care.

I am doing the same- flying at 30 weeks but shouldn’t anything happen, then the local hospital can care for babies from 24 weeks.

That should say, *could be much worse!

And should* anything happen!

God knows what my autocorrect is doing with contractions and negatives!!!

Not long home from 10 days in Portugal at 28 weeks pregnant. Absolutely fine and had a lovely time! You get treated really well at the airports being pregnant or with a child 😊 We skipped a 2 hour passport queue because I'm pregnant and have an 19 month old!

Just keep your liquids up when away and take your maternity notes/get travel insurance incase you do need medical assistance (for example reduced movements).

Most of all have a fab time!! ☀️

Yes to good insurance and staying somewhere with a NICU.

You will need a fit to fly letter from your GP for the airline

You should also ask your GP/midwife to reassess your VTE score as flying increases the risk of DVTs. I'd grab some compression stockings and make sure you drink plenty on the flight. If you've got a particularly high BMI/ smoke/other risk factors then you might need blood thinners for a short while.

Thanks everyone! Will definitely factor in premature baby care just in case.
I've got my 16 week appointment coming up soon so I'll discuss with my midwife any other bits to consider with my own health. I'm relatively healthy anyway- healthy BMI, early 30's, non smoker. I'll definitely use compression socks and do lots of walking and leg movements on the plane 🙂

I went on holiday at 28-30 weeks with my first to Gran Canaria, and 29-32 weeks with my second to Croatia (we did some travelling around via hire car too- to Montenegro and Bosnia)
Both times I found the flights perfectly fine- I kept mobile and worn flight socks to reduce the risk of DVTs. And the time away was relaxed and exactly what we needed.

If your pregnancy is uncomplicated and your midwife is happy to agree, and supply a fit to fly letter, and you plan to travel somewhere with easy access to good hospital care, then I say go for it!

I’m currently pregnant with my third and assuming all stays low risk and uncomplicated, we plan to fly to Italy for a last holiday when I’ll be 33 weeks. X

I did 4 mid/long haul return flights when I was pregnant, no issues at all. The last flight was at 35 weeks. My obstetrician was fine with it all, and issued a letter for my last flight. Just have good travel insurance and enjoy!

I flew to one country at 28 weeks to take up a job for 6 weeks and came back to this country at 36 weeks, I got a doctor's letter for the flight back but nobody even asked to see it.
I was 38, first and only baby, and had had a trouble free pregnancy.
It wouldn't cross my mind not to go on holiday.
Enjoy!

@kitty1993

Thanks everyone! Will definitely factor in premature baby care just in case. I've got my 16 week appointment coming up soon so I'll discuss with my midwife any other bits to consider with my own health. I'm relatively healthy anyway- healthy BMI, early 30's, non smoker. I'll definitely use compression socks and do lots of walking and leg movements on the plane 🙂

I was all those things too OP. Early 30s, no pregnancy issues...I still had a baby at 30 weeks.... I appreciate I'm in the minority but I absolutely wouldn't go.

With my last baby we went away at 26 weeks, it was to Malaga, we had the most amazing time!! It wasn’t uncomfortable, I didn’t panic, I didn’t worry. I just relaxed and enjoyed myself before the baby came. It was the end of April so the weather was starting to get good it was 25 degrees. The flight was fine I did keep wiggling my toes and feet, I drank plenty to keep hydrated just as you would in the summer during pregnancy. We are going away this year I will be 30 weeks to cancun and I can’t wait!!