Travel at 32weeks or cancel

[Starling543]

I am in my first trimester and pregnant for the first time.
One of my best friends moved overseas and she is visiting the UK for a holiday this year, going to a few destinations in Europe before flying back. We had made a plan pre-pregnancy that I would meet her in Prague for 5 days. Now I have realised I will be 32 weeks by the time we go. I have checked and I know I can get insurance up to 32 weeks and am back before 33 so that should be fine.
My question is do most people feel ok to travel / sightsee at 32 weeks? I am not sure whether to go ahead or tell her I need to cancel and we will have to meet in the UK instead / see her next time... Feeling a bit guilty already!

I flew at 33w. It was generally fine and would
do it against. But… I did worry about slightly reduced movements for a few hours whilst I was away, I think baby was having a sleepy day and it was all fine. I had slightly swollen ankles on the flight. Needed to wee pretty constantly. Some days I could walk and do stuff, some days I had to take it easy and rest. I couldn’t have done full on sightseeing everyday. Keep in mind we also took our toddler with us so sleep was elusive.

Don't overthink it now, see how your pregnancy goes and then decide.

It sounds like something I would have done without a second thought, but I had a straight forward pregnancy (and don't like being told I can't do things!) Also it will be a lovely memorable trip for you and your friend before your life changes!

If worst comes to worst you could always do a UK weekend away with your friend instead?

With 1st pregnancy I would have struggled but maybe managed due to all day vomiting and consequently fatigues easily I was however still working full time till 38 weeks.
2nd pregnancy I was on strict bed rest at 28 weeks.
Each pregnancy is different and you don't know how it's going to be/you might have to cancel at short notice/you might not get a fit to fly note/you might feel absolutely fine.

It's really hard to know how you'll feel I think! We had expected to take a holiday at 28 weeks, I'm 26 weeks now (first baby) and can't even get dressed and leave the house for more than an hour due to severe puppps 😢

My pregnancy has been quite travel disruptive 😂 I also had a big trip to Vietnam booked in January for my 30th which had to be cancelled because of my severe sickness.

If you can put off committing for a while to see how you get on it would be best xx

@Starling543 hi,

can I ask what insurance company you’re using?

I’m travelling at 31+4 weeks back at 32+4 and trying to read through all the policies to find one that covers me including 32nd week ?
Very stressful

Hi there did you find an insurer to cover you inclusive of week 32 and not up to week 32? Thanks!

I did around that time but for God's sake, check with the airline. I flew out to South of France fine, then on the way back they asked me how far along I was, and said they couldn't let me on the flight without a certificate from a doctor.

Turned out I should have checked the small print as they did have limitations at the stage I was at (I'd just though all was OK if it was before 36 weeks). Anyway, I couldn't fly in case it wasn't safe allegedly; we found a hospital, ran some tests, got a certificate of fitness to fly (thank God for the EHIC card, I just had to pay a fairly small amount a few months later when the paperwork came through). Then... had to spend the night on the floor of the airport - well that was safer and less stressful for my pregnancy than just being allowed on the sodding flight! - because we couldn't find a single hotel room by the time we came out of the hospital. Gave the airline the paperwork first thing, they told us it wasn't a fit to fly certificate, it just said pregnancy wasn't risky, but by a miracle same medic who saw me was still on duty when they rang the hospital and they accepted his word for it and let us go home.

So do fly, just... get something from your GP to say you are fit to do so!

A few months ago I would have said "sure, go for it, it will probably be fine!".

But now, as my pregnancy has gone past the 32 week mark, I am a bit more cautious, because by 32 weeks, going sightseeing was not an option for me.

Even the travelling would not have been ok, in my case, as thats when I was put on modified bed rest, which means no walking, no lifting, and just generally taking it easy.

Obviously, this is MY experience and not everyone feels the same, or has the same problems (Ive been having bad pain since 23 weeks, and really bad contractions since I was about 25 weeks, but managed to travel abroad at 26 to 27 weeks, my mobility was already a bit restricted, but it was fine).

Now at 36 weeks I can barely walk and even at 32 weeks would not have been able to do any sightseeing, as my back/pelvic pain and contractions would not have allowed for it.

So Id say hold off as long as you can, to see if you can make it. You will need a fit to fly form from your doctor (tyou need one from 28 weeks onwards)

Hi sorry I should have updated -

yes I travelled. Everything was fine, they asked for a certificate flying back not going, I had one that my midwife completed for me.
Anyways to cut a long story short - I used insure and go. I called them first as the fine print was confusing. They said that you’re still covered at 32 weeks for all normal medical issues and they don’t class pregnancy as an illness.
call them if you’re unsure they will explain in more detail. I can’t remember their exact wording, but was absolutely fine to fly.

Anyone find holiday insurance that covers past 32 weeks?