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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Holiday before birth

54 replies

Steoh1 · 21/03/2022 17:14

Hi,

We're expecting our first in early July but are keen to have a final holiday before the new one arrives.

We were thinking mid May, which would mean my wife is a couple of weeks earlier than the cut off period for the airlines (I've worked it out properly, but off the top of my head I think she'll be around 34 weeks).

Is this a good idea? Also are there any considerations that we need to factor in?

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Derbee · 21/03/2022 17:18

Only you can decide your level of risk. There will be lots of people along to tell you about how they had their babies at 34 weeks. It would be too high risk for me personally

Babadook76 · 21/03/2022 17:20

It would also be too far along for me. And also completely unenjoyable at that far along. Were you planning on somewhere hot?

Teaandcrumpets95 · 21/03/2022 17:25

I just turned 35 weeks today and there's no way I'd even consider leaving the country.

Lazypuppy · 21/03/2022 17:29

I'm going on holiday at 25 weeks and wouldn't want to leave it any later. By that late in my last pregnancy i felt huge and exhausted, couldn't imagine anything worse than going on holiday! Also risk of going into labour early and the costs of hospital care abroad terrify me

StampOnTheGround · 21/03/2022 17:32

I definitely wouldn't have gone abroad at 34 weeks

Easterbunnyiswindowshopping · 21/03/2022 17:33

I have 2 opposite stories..
I drove back from Spain 21 days before I had dd full term.
I was packed for a last trip with dh at 35 weeks with last dc...
Quick check up ended up with an emcs 4 hours later...
Book the holiday. Be prepared for all eventualities. And take the maternity notes!!

Nikki037297 · 21/03/2022 17:52

I’m going away when I will be 30 weeks to cancun. I’m mega excited! I went away in my last pregnancy at 26/27 weeks and it was absolutely fine!!! I enjoyed the sun the beach the food the relaxing the sight seeing! Not a single regret! The flight wasn’t uncomfortable I just wiggled my toes a lot to keep the blood flowing. Enjoy your holiday

DappledThings · 21/03/2022 18:02

I went at 25 weeks and it was great. 34 would be out of my comfort zone personally.

PotteringAlong · 21/03/2022 18:05

If you’re going to do it make sure that you have cast iron holiday insurance, not just for you but for your unborn child.

If you have to pay privately for birth / nicu / repatriation it can cost a fortune.

madeleine85 · 21/03/2022 18:10

I had a trip (6 hour flight) at around 30 weeks, and went into labour at 32 weeks, delivering at 35 weeks after medical intervention. The day I gave birth at 35 weeks was the date my original trip was booked on, and my doctor refused to let me fly, and this was prior to the early labour and signs it was going wrong so we had moved it up. I know people who have traveled late into pregnancy and it has been fine for them, but personally, I wouldn't risk it. I'd try stay close to home in the last 2 months if possible.

MadameDragon · 21/03/2022 18:14

Get the most comprehensive insurance you can find and book it immediately after you book the holiday.
I wasn’t allowed to fly or travel by train after my 20w scan.
Friends went abroad at 30w, had the baby, and were stuck there for months.
There’s a lot of extra risk assessment to do.

AdriannaP · 21/03/2022 18:17

With child 1 I went away for work at 32 weeks, with child 2 I had a (local) holiday at 30 weeks and it was uncomfortable and not relaxing. At 34 weeks I would have not wanted to get on a plane (clot risk also!) and travel somewhere. Not to mention the other risks (early birth, covid,), I think going earlier would be better.

EvelynBeatrice · 21/03/2022 18:27

I'd choose somewhere in Europe with good medical care (speciality neonatal just in case) and no culture of refusing pain relief to labouring women. France perhaps. I'd also triple check that your insurance will cover all costs including worst case scenario surgical delivery and long term stay neonatal for baby, albeit highly unlikely scenario.
I was supposed to be at wedding in Tuscany at similar stage and own GP told me their medical care was superb and I'd be fine.

gogohm · 21/03/2022 18:29

I wouldn't fly that late unless it was unavoidable (eg family or work reasons) go somewhere in the U.K. for pampering. I hear the new crescent hotel at Buxton is excellent

PingPages · 21/03/2022 18:30

As above pp have said… I personally wouldn’t that late on.

Also consider if she caught covid she’d have to isolate out there and then might not be able to fly back. Seems very risky.

LouisaLovesMice · 21/03/2022 18:38

When I was 34 weeks the baby's head engaged and I immediately developed agonising haemorroids due to the pressure. I couldn't leave the house let alone the country!

DockOTheBay · 21/03/2022 18:43

Good idea to have "one last" adult holiday.
Not a great idea to do it so close to due date.
Could you go in mid/late April instead?

Kaw10 · 21/03/2022 18:46

@MadameDragon

Get the most comprehensive insurance you can find and book it immediately after you book the holiday. I wasn’t allowed to fly or travel by train after my 20w scan. Friends went abroad at 30w, had the baby, and were stuck there for months. There’s a lot of extra risk assessment to do.

@MadameDragon why couldn't you fly after 20 weeks? Complications? (Sorry being v nosey!!)

Cornishmumofone · 21/03/2022 19:05

I went to Copenhagen at 33 weeks. I had a low risk pregnancy with no complications. I enjoyed my holiday and my midwife wasn't concerned.

Coco9910 · 21/03/2022 19:08

I’m going on holiday in a few weeks at 26 weeks pregnant. The midwife advised me to go before 28 weeks and I’m flying with Ryanair who require a fit to fly letter after 28 weeks so I’m glad I followed her advice. I personally wouldn’t want to go any later but if you feel comfortable then only you can decide :)

Babadook76 · 22/03/2022 11:55

@PotteringAlong

If you’re going to do it make sure that you have cast iron holiday insurance, not just for you but for your unborn child.

If you have to pay privately for birth / nicu / repatriation it can cost a fortune.

I remember reading a story a few years back about a pregnant woman on holiday being hit by a speed boat which badly broke her leg. It triggered her to go into premature labour. She was taken to hospital where she gave birth, but as soon as they realised she had no insurance and no money they literally carried her out of the hospital and dumped her on the street outside. The baby was something like 25 weeks. They only care they’d give it without being paid for it was ventilation, food and fluids. The very basics to keep it alive. The mum had to make her way back to the uk with her injuries and appeal to the British embassy to help her baby, by the time help came it was too late due to the lack of care of received when it was born, it passed away. I wouldn’t go anywhere once the baby is viable. If it ends up being born prematurely then you could be stuck out there for months before it’s fit to fly home, and god knows what standard of care it might get.

Kaw10 · 22/03/2022 12:17

Where on earth was that?!

Seasidemumma77 · 22/03/2022 12:57

I went to a Greek island when 1 was 34wks with 3rd dc. Flights were no problem, but they were experiencing a heatwave while I was there, no air conditioning, that was truly horrendous.

Original poster

Steoh1 · 22/03/2022 16:45

Hi- thanks for all your advice.

It seems like this is an overwhelming "don't do it" :(

Its actually my wife who is more keen to go than I am, and says she's happy to feel bad, if she can sit by a pool somewhere warm.

The big concern is her going in to labour and giving birth whilst we are abroad, and us having to pay for it. My understanding was that the NHS (we're from the UK) still covers this under the European healthcare card, but last time we were in France they refused to recognise the card and made us pay.

Does anyone know if this card would cover it?

OP posts:

PingPages · 22/03/2022 16:54

@Steoh1