flight at 13 weeks?

[ai38]

I am almost 13 weeks. Just had the 12 week scan today and everything looked fine. The pregnancy has been smooth with no complications so far.

DH is suggesting we go on a short getaway next week to one of the nordic countries (2-hour flight). At first I was hesitant but the more I think about it, the more excited I get about the idea. I love the nordic countries in this season. Plus, I know I won't be traveling with a large bum further along in the pregnancy so I feel this could be the last holiday with just two of us. But I am also a bit worried that something might go wrong and I might end up in an emergency room in a foreign country and later regret it.

Just wondering what others would have done? Can flying put the baby or me at some risk at this stage?

As long as you don't have complications flying is perfectly fine until later on in pregnancy. Even then it's only warned against incase you go into labour and they can't land.

Go and enjoy yourself.

Unless you've been advised not to travel you're absolutely fine :)

I travelled at 9 weeks (actually the worst decision in the end as sickness was at an all time high!) And I have several abroad weddings this year so I'll be traveling again. My advice is to make sure you've looked at where your nearest hospital is just to have peace of mind and get travel insurance of course.

Enjoy the time away

I didn't fly but I did go on a two week holiday at 15 weeks and it was a great time. I was over morning sickness and it was too early to feel uncomfortable. In fact, I loved both of my second trimesters.

So long as the doc says you are safe to fly, have a lovely time!

Flying is fine unless there's complications. I flew long haul at 18 weeks

You’ll be fine 😊 just stay nice and hydrated and move around as much as you can. I flew at 22 weeks to Spain and we had a 3 hour delay on the runway before takeoff. Ended up being about 6 hours in total on the plane getting out there but I just wandered around the aisle. Felt absolutely fine though. Enjoy! X

Totally fine. I had a brilliant time in Japan at 22-24 weeks.

In the very, very unlikely event you end up in Scandi A&E you’ll have great care with English speaking staff.

You'll be fine as long as you are fit and healthy anyway- get travel insurance though for peace of mind. Although everyone should when travelling abroad pregnant or not!

Thank you so much everyone! I feel more confident to go now.

We had a short trip to Paris by Eurostar when I was 9 weeks and it was absolutely fine. The only reason I am a bit worried now is the flight which after all seems not particularly risky.

As for travel insurance, I have got an annual travel insurance which renews in October. I don't remember if I was asked about pregnancy at the time of purchase. Do they automically cover you when you become pregnant mid-insurance period?

Shouldn't be a problem but I'd update them anyway. My parents have an annual policy and dm has pneumonia just before a 7 week cruise. They confirmed as long as doctor said she was okay her insurance was valid.

I flew at 22 weeks and although uncomfortable as the seat was quite upright and pressed my belly in, I was fine. Glad we did it as was last hol before my boy came. Enjoy yourselves.

flying is fine and I really wouldn't worry about the quality of healthcare in Nordic counties. And people will speak English.

Go for it!

My gosh if you (god forbid) did end up in an ER in a nordic country you would be assured of much better and faster medical care than here (thanks years of cuts to our NHS) and everyone would speak perfect English. Do it I’m sure you’ll have a fantastic time. Just get an EHIC card and travel insurance!

One random bit of advice - you can’t ring 111 from a foreign country, so do take some phone numbers for your midwives/maternity helpline in case you have queries. I was in Italy at 8 weeks and thought I might be having a miscarriage (I wasn’t) and was a bit stressed I couldn’t get through to 111 on the phone to ask for info/advice. I hadn’t even had my booking appt at that stage so didn’t have a number for the midwife team and didn’t know about maternity helplines or how any of it worked.

Thank you all for your comments and encouragement. Currently on our holiday. So happy we came. The flight was ok and so far everything has gone smoothly. Just thought to share a little bit of research I did before the trip. I called the insurance company and they said that my annual policy is valid and they will cover if any "complications" occur. Then, I also found out that despite Brexit, EHIC card is still valid in many EU countries (with some exceptions) and also if you are an EU citizen living in the UK (I am) then you are always covered for urgent non-planned and non-routine in all EU countries and you can apply to get a new EHIC card so Brexit doesn't affect you in this respect.