Long haul flight at 22-24 weeks - tips?

[elsa15]

Hello!

I have a trip planned to Florida in May, I will be 22 weeks when we fly out and 24 weeks when we return. Having a stress-free pregnancy so far so hoping that continues of course, but I am just looking for any general tips specifically to help manage on the flights?

We are flying Virgin Upper Class so thankfully will have room to spread out, and will make a point of taking regular walks around the cabin to minimise risk of DVT or general swelling etc.

I just wondered if anyone has ever taken any sort of support pillows with them before? Obviously not thinking something as large as a pregnancy pillow but just to make the night flight home more bearable when lying down on side rather than just the 1 pillow you are given on the plane? Also, would it be wise to get compression socks or something?

Just really any tips would be great :) thanks!

I think in a good class cabin with bed your be fine

The only thing I suggest is snacks you like and own water bottle. I flew around 20-22 weeks and the smell of the plane food was sickening so I avoided everything on board and survived on snacks. And lots of water so the tiny plane cups were too small.

I've never flew long haul before but I did fly to Spain when I was 28 weeks pregnant (I'm now 32 weeks) and honestly it was awful! I think because it wasn't luxurious, there wasn't a lot of room to move but if you have plenty you should be fine. I felt as if my baby could tell there was a change in air pressure because he moved non stop, so if you can stretch out and maybe get some compression socks you'll be fine. I also took a wedge pillow with me which really helped because I could but this under my bump to support him or just use to sleep when he wasn't dancing inside me 😂Only other thing would be to take some cough sweets to soothe your throat - I always get a really dry throat when I fly because of the plane air so this helped because I wasn't coughing a lot with the sweets which would make him move more. Have a safe flight! Everything will be worth it when you get to relax in florida xx

That's probably the best time to travel as hopefully any symptoms will be at a minimum and you won't have the uncomfortableness of being heavily pregnant.

I didn't need a support pillow at all at that stage as only had a little bump so maybe just see how you are nearer the time.

Compression socks, yes, those would be a good idea and loose fitting clothes incase of bloating/swelling!

Make sure you have cast iron travel insurance that covers you AND the baby. They are a whole separate person to you when they’re born and if you don’t have insurance and have to pay USA NICU fees you will be knackered.

This would be my concern travelling to Florida while pregnant. There is an abortion ban in Florida so if God forbid anything goes wrong with your pregnancy they'll prioritise the fetus, not you. Scary stuff. I'd think twice before travelling pregnant here at all.

This is something we have looked into extensively - especially given the 22-24 week window as it is just on cusp of viability - in the event of a life threatening emergency (such as sepsis or severe hemorrhaging or similar) the mothers life is the priority, even given their strict abortion laws. It’s a horrible thing to even have to think about especially in this day & age but I do feel comfortable that in the event of an emergency we would receive the correct care.

I will be looking more into insurance though, I am definitely covered but I will need to ensure the baby would be covered if need be.

I flew long haul around then in cattle class and completely fine. Didn’t do anything different except walk around more

I did long haul then too, and it was fine. It was noticeably less comfortably on the way back, though.

When's your 20 week scan? I would get that booked in as early as possible. Lots of people need to go back (often it's nothing sinister, just the baby not cooperating). You don't want to have a dilemma about 'go on holiday, or go for a rescan'.