Has anyone flown long haul at 7 months pregnant?

[EmmaPP]

im planning on having my baby in New Zealand (as my mum lives there so we want to go out there for a year for extra support!)...but i want to work in uk as long as possible so we have my maternity money to live off. So, are planning to hop on plan at 7 months. It will be a hideous flight i know...we'll stop for at least 2 days in the middle...maybe stop 3 times actually (looking into flight options now)...has anyone else flown long haul at 7 months? was it ok...ish?

I've flown alone from remote part of Turkey at that stage. Three plane trips,lots of waiting. Was hideous so NZ would be unspeakable. (I'm not good at pg though.)

Yes I flew with a 3 and 4 year old and 7 months pg back from Hong Kong... bit tricky in and out of the toilet with the children!! If you're going alone noone at Heathrow helps with luggage and I had to grab a passenger to help. This year off alone again with a 22 month old, 5 and 6 year ols so it can't be that bad!!

OMFG Posie.
You live to tell the tale!

Shhh, but when I get there my parents have a maid... they all do!

I struggled in the car from Scotland to Manchester a couple of weeks ago!

Try and make sure you get an aisle seat with as much legroom as possible and most importantly, check that your travel insurance will cover you too. Try stopping twice if you can. Depending on your route may be a night or so in Singapore and then 2 nights in Melbourne or Sydney so you get to rest properly. Two stops might be easier than one 3 day stop as you will still have a long way to travel!

i went to the US at 28 weeks- so not as late and not as long haul, but it was fine.

tbh, i don't see you have many other options- and with no toddlers in tow (right?) it won't be too bad.

here are the things i would suggest:

if at all possible, now woul;d be the time to splash out on a premium economy upgrade- you'd be grateful for any extra leg room
stopovers a good idea, but i wouldn't overdo it as i would rather get there sooner rather than later and get the ordeal behind you if that makes sense?
wear compression socks
move around lots
drink lots of water
some doctors recommend aspiring before flying, so check with your gp
bring things like aromatherapy sprays, your own pillow etc to ensure you can create as comfortable an atmosphere as possible
wear the loosest clothes you have, and the comfiest shoes!

good luck- you'll be fine i am sure

cheers everyone, much appreciated!

Fly SQ and try to blag an upgrade. They don't dish out upgrades willy-nilly but the counter staff are always lovely and if you look particularly beatific they might bump (ha ha!) you.

ooh and definitely don't forget your flight socks.

Check you can get insurance - my current insurance only covers long haul up to 24 weeks. I'm planning a trip to the US at 24-26 weeks.

ninedragons - whats SQ?

Singapore Airlines. They're faaaaab.

I flew to the maldives at 27 weeks and although the check in agents didn't upgrade me they did give me a whole row of 4 seats to myself in ecomomy - DH was given two seats as well. That was with Quatar airlines though.

Check with the airline whether you need a letter too. I am flying short haul in a week's time with Ryan Air and will be almsot 29 weeks pg. I have to have a letter declaring me fit to travel dated no more than one week before I fly.

I flew to SA just over 30 weeks and it was fine. Everyone was particularly lovely and helpful and I felt rather spoilt! I was upgraded to Premium Economy which was really worth it and if I was to do this again when pg I would definitely pay for it (especially if you are going to NZ ... yikes). Flight socks are essential and walk about lots. Also you MUST get an aisle seat and a letter from your doc.

hi all sorry to jump, i am finding it very hard to find an insurance company that will cover me at 32 weeks and 3 days, does anyone know of a company that does it, please going mad, going to poland for wedding. help

Search online - you can do a search for insurance pregnancy. I found lots who cover beyond 24 weeks (which is what I was looking for). Not sure how many beyond 30 weeks though. I will post again if I spot any.

Carol9uk, my DH sorted out my travel insurance when I was pg - 29 to 31 weeks. He had to go through a broker though as most of the high street insurers had an automatic cut-off of 28 weeks.

You can get a broker through the Insurance Brokers' Association.