What's the latest you have travelled while pregnant (flying or train, bus etc)?

[Eulalia]

dh's dd has been trying to visit us for a few months but hasn't been able to take time off work. She is due her first baby on 23 September and said she planned to visit us end August. Trouble is we live 500 miles away (within the UK). Even though the flight duration is just over an hour I can't see any airline taking her. Only other alternatives are train (very long 7 hour journey) or the bus (12 hours!).

Is she mad to consider it? I know someone recently who travelled on the day they were due up to Orkney, some 300 miles from here, by car and ferry so guess there are no restrictions. She wants to come on her own, that worries us and what if baby came early, she'd not have her partner here and how would she get home again etc etc??

I think it will be very tiring for her. Is there no way you could go up to her?

You cant fly after 3o something weeks and anything over 27/28 weeks needs a letter from the gp.

I flew at 24 weeks and that was bad enough.

Is she bonkers?

She may be able to fly up until 36 weeks with a doctor's note. She will need to check with the airlines.

Yeah she is a bit bonkers! Not known for making good decisions. It would be down from here (we are near Aberdeen) and not practial as we have 3 kids and she stays in a shared flat so we'd have to stay in a hotel in London or something, cost a fortune!

I know someone who flew back from China at 34-35 weeks. And someone else who flew back to NZ at 31 weeks (with two toddlers!)

i have been flying regularly throughout this pregnancy (incl mad 2 day business trip to the US at 28 weeks), the last i flew to a friend's wedding in portugal at 34 weeks with medical certificate. no problem whatsoever. as long as you make sure she gets to rest once she's at your place and don't plan anything too tiring, i think most airlines will take her until 36 weeks. but check first.

there are things you can do- compression stockings etc, lots of fluids etc- to minimse risk of adverse effects.

Bit late for a first baby perhaps - but if she is desperate to see her dad - or is she just very relaxed??

. I flew a lot during both pregnancies and last flight in last pregancy at 36 weeks. Even approaching 37 in fact now I think about it. 1.5 hour flight, was second child and was for holiday at parent's place in France. Wouldn't have been that bothered if I had given birth there though, so I did go with that in mind. HTH!

I did a 4 hour drive to my parents house when I was 36 weeks pg with my first. On my own. They were moving house so I had to go and sort out my stuff.

It was fine but the baby didn't come till 42 weeks (and I had to be induced to get her out then). However, my gran went abolutley mad and said it was a silly and dangerous thing to do.

Say, Yes dear and let her plan whatever she wants. In four or five months time she may well be feeling rather different about things (if this is her first she doesn't know what late PG feels like, after all). Worry about it nearer the time, don't lose sleep over it now.

Hi,

I flew on BMI from Manchester to Aberdeen (1 1/2 hr) flight to see my parents at 35 weeks. I had a letter "of good health" from my GP but they didnt even ask to see it or ask how many weeks I was. I checked in online and was wearing a baggy jacket but it did seem a bit relaxed!

I wore flight socks etc which helped avoid achey legs but was fine otherwise.

Had to visit DH family in London a week later (driven down 3 hrs in car) which completely knackered me.

thanks again.

mademez, you are quite right about just letting her plan it. As long as she doesn't attempt to book anything (she is rather impulsive) and then find out she can't get on the flight last minute. I don't think I'd want her here anyway so late in case something went wrong, its not like there is a room here (we are actually renovating) and we are 25 miles away from the hospital. Obviously if she was to fly she'd have to be coming back before 36 weeks on the return journey. I think the train isn't feasible due to length of journey time. We've not seen her since last Sept so it's a long time but just her being disorganised with work/holiday and not being able to get away.

I flew to Spain at 34 weeks - all fine - no different to sitting in a car for 2 hours. It really does depend on how well and energetic you are feeling generally I think.

I flew at 37 weeks, back from France, so short journey. No problems. Wasn't insured after week 35 for pregnancy related problems though - luckily not an issue. Would have been happy to have given birth there if necessary.

I just took the car ferry to Ireland at 36 weeks, and stayed for a week touring around, some days doing 3 hour drives. No problems, took lots of stretching breaks, sea bands, tried to rest as much as possible and no long walks. One ferry company wouldn't let me on that pregnant so we took another which wasn't bothered. My EHIC would have covered me if I went into labour there. I say go for it - flying if possible. Total travel time is a factor.

Thanks again, it seems flying is difficult after 36 weeks which is the quickest option. Seems like most of you being relaxed about it weren't bothered about giving birth elsewhere. for many reasons the baby coming while here is not a good idea, so we'll just have to put our foot down and insist she comes earlier.