32 weeks - better fly or sleeper train?

[Kif]

I need to take a few days in Madrid to sort some stuff out. At 32 weeks pregnant am I better off flying, or getting the eurostar to paris and a sleeper train?

Flying is quicker (2 hours plus check in/security etc) - assuming no delays. However, I'll have all the hassle of a doctors note and sidelong looks from the airline staff - plus somehow feels less safe for pregnancy.

Train would be getting on for an 18 hour trip - which DH thinks might be a bit of a strain - but surely it doesn't count if you're asleep in a bed for most of it!

Or am I mad to even consider travelling at this stage? Technically I'm in full health - but previous pregnancies have all had high b.p. at the end - and I think this one will go the same way eventually.

I personally think that as long as you make sure you drink plenty of water and take 'proper food' (e.g. fruit etc), then it's down to personal preference.

My pref would be to fly because I can't abide travelling and although it might be fine on the way out, I would find the thought of the long train journey home too depressing. But that's just me!

Kif - Have you looked into travel insurance? I'm not sure you'll get many companies wanting to insure you at this point. I think I'd take the plane if I could get insurance but the train if I couldn't.

Do I need insurance? Presumably my health is covered on the EHIC thingy that replaced the E111.

I flew one day before the cut off of 34 weeks though BA will take you up to 38 weeks. It was only disneyland paris though so thought could always get the eurostar or hire a car if I had any troubles.

People said I must be mad but I was not sure why as I was not ill?? You will not be able to get travel insurance though so take a credit card just in case you need to find another way to get home!

No-one even asked me for my letter so either they are so used to seeing prenant ladies flying or they just thought I was a bit lardy.

If you are in good health and really feel in your heart of hearts that you are happy to travel then fly, much quicker.

I flew at 35 weeks without a doctor's note. I had one but carry small so nobody even asked me. It was a 1 1/2 hour flight which for me is much more pleasant than a night train. Would you be by yourself? Would you opt for a private sleeping car or a couchette? It can be a nightmare if you end up sharing with people who have no intention of sleeping...

FWIW I too tend to have had high BP with 3 of my 4 pg. but would still opt for plenty of water and flying.

I hope that it is a relaxing journey whichever option you opt for. Do you really need to go?

I don't 'have' to go - but not going over is stressing me (and I'm hardly becoming more fit to fly as time goes on, am I).

Was the doctors note hard to sort? Do they need a lot of persuading, or do they just 'rubber stamp'?

Ideally dh would travel with me - at least one way.... no I guess it wouldn't be fun to share with an obnoxious stranger...

I went to spain at 34 weeks on BA with a GP's note. All the staff were really nice and kept bringing food and drinks for me, they also gave me an aisle seat so I could walk about. I would definately recommend flying as it'll make your journey shorter.

I flew at 33 weeks from Barcelona to the UK and the staff were really reluctant to let me on the flight. I had a doctor's note, but all they will do is confirm the number of weeks you are, they won't make any promises about you not going into labour. They were fine at check-in (I wore a big coat!) but then getting through the boarding gate involved arguing with the manager; even once on board the air hostesses insisted on seeng my doctor's note again. And I only had a tiny bump as I was measuring six weeks' behind!

It was with Easyjet - the cheaper the airline, the more reluctant they are to take you as they carry less insurance. Air France will let you fly til 36 weeks I think.

Would still rather fly than get the train.

PS. my friend had great problems getting travel insurance at 26 weeks, though she was carrying twins.

Kif Not sure what the EHIC covers you for but it won't cover you for eg having to be medi-evac'd home or anything I wouldn't have thought,that sort of thing.
Sounds like you need to sound out the airline from people's experiences on here...

I didn't travel as late as you - 29ish to 32ish weeks and got insurance no problem. But not through the typical travel insurance companies. Got it through a broker. The premium wasn't that great either - £80 for 2 weeks in the Caribbean.

You can get anything insured if you are prepared to pay. That said, not sure I'd bother if it was in Western Europe.

Oh, meant to say that I'd fly.

Dr's note is very easy to get, just make an appointment, all they do is write how many weeks PG you are and that you are in good health. My GP did it at one of my ante-natal checks, she said she writes them all the time for peoples' travel, work or benefit-related stuff. The check in staff never even asked for my note and I was MAHOOSIVE!
I looked into EHIC and it will cover you for hospital treatment or birth abroad, I'm sure Madrid has some good hospitals in the unlikely event you need them!

i'd fly. Dr note is just a rubber stamp at 32 weeks.
Tell him about an 18 hour round trip on a train and you'll see what sort of face he'll pull!

Would not contemplate an 18 hour trip even when not pregnant.

At 32 weeks, you could really do without hours of shaking and vibrating in a train + carrying luggage around.

as someone who's slept on a sleeper train few times, you dont get shaken about, but I'd def pay for a private cabin if you decide to train it.