HELP! Flying with a potential ectopic pregnancy??

[LouLou9401]

Hi Ladies,
I am currently in Taiwan living with family after backpacking for a few months.
I found out I was pregnant a few weeks ago, I'm now about 5 weeks, I was certain I wanted an abortion so went to the doctors clinic here and they couldn't find the foetus, fast-forward another appointment, they still cant find it and now think its outside the womb, potentially an ectopic pregnancy.
I need to fly back to the UK due to safety concerns of healthcare over here and also to have a support network - I don't have a choice.
Am I at risk of something happening to me on the flight because of this?

Any help to ease my mind would be fantastic!

Thanks,
Lou

You couldn't know for sure, but HCG levels could be a strong hint. If you're over 5 weeks, as OP is, but showing in the 1-2 week level, you're very likely looking at ectopic. This happened to me until about week 9.

It's quite possible this pregnancy is normal and not yet visible, or that there's been a very recent miscarriage, but OP really needs to know the status of this pregnancy before flying.

being billed for a diverted flight isn't something an individual can usually afford,

I spent quite a few years flying on Long Haul routes as flightcrew and TBH never heard talk of anybody being billed by the airline for a medical diversion. That said I can't say it doesn't happen ( different airlines may have different policies).

The bigger problem might OTOH the cost of health care for the passenger once handed off to the local medics at the diversion airport.

Finances aside I certainly would second the comment somebody made upthread that you really can't expect that in the event of a medical emergency the flight can get on the ground quickly.

You can at times on many routes be several hours away from the nearest useable airport.

In the 1-2 week stage, conception hasn't occurred so hcg levels are zero.

True - apologies for confusion. I meant clearblue digital reading 1-2 weeks which is officially counted 3-4 weeks. Mine stuck at that level.

If doctors there suspect ectopic pregnancy and are taking a watchful waiting approach, they should do repeated tests to see if levels are falling (probable miscarriage), rising slowly (probable ectopic) or rising normally.

By week 5 (after your last period), readings a couple of days apart should give you a strong indication what's likely, so do ask for numbers / tests OP. It's the relationship between the numbers that will suggest what's happening.

Hope you are doing okay and getting support today

Hi Everyone,

Thanks for the help, I spoke to two seperate doctors from the UK who said I will have no issues flying long haul back to the UK.

My symptoms aren't those of someone in danger, it's incredibly rare and they are not worried about it being ectopic. As I am under 6 weeks, it is very rare the foetus shows up on an ultrasound and this will most likely be the case with me.

There was a huge miscommunication and language barrier here in Taiwan meaning what was translated was all the negatives and what it could possibly be rather than what it is more likely to be.

Safely landed in Frankfurt after a long flight from HK 😊

Thanks!

Glad you are okay.

Yes, mistranslation would make sense of it all.

Good to hear you're okay. It sounded a dreadful situation to be in.

Do not fly it’s too dangerous . I had an ectopic recently and things can change very quickly and become life threatening

This thread is from January!!!