What would you do? Flying at Christmas

[Peanutbaby24]

Hi all

i am currently 27 weeks pregnant and looking for some advice and opinions around Christmas travel.

I live abroad away from my family who are all in the UK (I am British but live in another European country). I always go home for Christmas every year as it’s the only time I can catch up with everyone but this year I will be 33 weeks pregnant, 34 weeks coming back.

I know that the airlines let you fly until the 36th week so I would be within the guidelines. My midwife has said it’s OK and doesn’t see a problem at al, but my gynaecologist has advised against it. Not for any reason specific to my own pregnancy, which has so far been uncomplicated- just that they personally advise against any travel in the third trimester.

Getting such conflicting opinions from my two health professionals has really confused me, so I’m interested to know - what would you do? Would you still go anyway? I know I’ll need a form filled in and I will be able to get this sorted.

The flight is only 2.5 hours and I would be at home staying with my parents and close to an NHS hospital, so not like I’d be going to the middle of nowhere.

Interested in opinions!

Sounds like it would be fine to me as it's such a short flight. Just make sure you wear compression stockings and stay well hydrated.

are you British? if so, why is m a gynaecologist involved in your pregnancy?

sorry!

if i was your mother, i wouldn’t want you travelling and instead would travel to you for this year

what does your partner think?

I'd go. You really are not travelling much. Nothing terribly exciting is likely to happen on a 2.5h flight, you presumably have insurance and being in your home country if the baby were to come early presumably wouldn't be the end of the world (you'd have support etc).

Because she doesn't live in the uk! Read the post properly!

I think I might take the risk and do the flight. Like you said you will be near a hospital.

Or could your family come to you?

yes miss

but you didn’t read the post i made a second afterwards!

The tricky thing is that if you are travelling against medical advice it may invalidate your travel insurance. How big a deal would it be if you ended up stuck here with a premature newborn?

Can you get a 2nd opinion?

This is a good point. A second opinion could be really helpful.

I flew at 34 weeks and came back 35 for my sister's wedding. I was staying with my parents, knew the local hospitals and had a huge support network there (who would have LOVED it if the baby had arrived early). My flight was only an hour or so though.

Having said that, I'm not sure I'd bother if it's just for Christmas!

I live in the UK but originally come from a European country. I will be about 28 weeks at Christmas and have chosen to stay put as I am too afraid to be far from my care team in case something happens. I am just too risk averse but many women have done it without a problem.

Thanks everyone so much for all your replies! It’s really good just to get different perspectives on things.

To answer a few questions, my partner is happy to do whatever I want but I do think he would prefer us not to go if it were his decision.

In the country I’m in it is common to be seen by gynaecologists throughout the pregnancy.

It wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world if the baby somehow did end up being born prematurely in my country, obviously would throw a spanner in the works but would def have support.

Getting another medical opinion is great advice and think that is what I’ll do before I decide!

no chance your parents visiting you?

Unfortunately not! They will be coming over when the baby is born and aren’t able to make the trip twice in such a short space of time, as much as they (and I) would love to.

i’d be surprised if they’d want you to visit against the wishes of your gynaecologist

Yes they are definitely not putting any pressure on me at all and have said I need to do what I think is best

I agree with your gynaecologist. Any chance you could get the train instead ? If you start haemorrhaging in the aeroplane it will be really difficult to manage. There is no way I'd want to be more than an hour away from my hospital after 28 weeks.

Really? So no weekends away or anything after 28 weeks? That is VERY risk averse!

You would need a fit to fly certificate to board the plane - who would you get to supply that?

You need to make sure that an insurance company is willing to insure you. If you give birth while back in the UK, the insurance must cover the cost which starts at £7,500...

No flights certainly. I have worked in a NICU so that colours my perception some what. It's 12 weeks of your life is it such a massive sacrifice ? I flew alone with my baby when he was 8 weeks. So I wasn't grounded for long.

I'd stay put personally. It would probably be fine but the costs of having a premature baby in a country you don't live in could be high. You may not be entitled to free healthcare here anymore (might be something to look into before you decide).

Also, if you're flying back home from the UK close to the cut off date to fly when pregnant, there's a risk you may get stuck here if bad weather, a flight cancellation etc meant you had to delay travel.

Agree with PP that your gynae saying not to fly could mean your travel insurance may be deemed invalid.

Not able to get a train unfortunately but you raise a good point so thank you

My midwife said that she could sign that for me so I would be fine with that

Thanks yes insurance is super important! I already have cancellation insurance as well as normal travel insurance which covers any medical costs so that part is (I hope) covered. It’s just deciding if I’m comfortable doing the trip with the small change of an early labour at 33 weeks