Flying at 29 weeks

[Olivepearl]

Hi all, hoping to get some words of advice. I’m 29 weeks pregnant with my first baby. Back in march we booked a baby moon to Mallorca which we go to this Sunday. However, as the date gets nearer I am just filled with anxiety and I do not want to go. I feel awful as my husband has spend a lot of money and put so much effort into this trip, but I cant help feel pressured into it. It’s a Ryan air flight which has me so nervous, I feel like something will go wrong and I’ll never get to meet my baby. I know that’s so irrational but I literally can’t sleep worrying about it. The weather is also looking really warm, I’m very pale and struggle in the heat. We expected it to be around 24, but it’s in the high 20’s/early 30’s and I don’t know how I’m going to cope. I’m also anxious about leaving my dog. I just want to stay at home. Why am I so anxious! Has anyone else felt like that whilst pregnant?

Were you anxious before being pregnant?

Dd was born at 29 weeks. Make sure (if you go) that you have considered that possibility re: travel insurance etc.

I’ve just flown back from Spain at 30 weeks, travelling on my own with 4yo. I hugely regretted booking it for months but it went so smoothly and we had a great time. I wasn’t very fashionable in my comfortable walking shoes lol but prepare for swollen feet, I was really grateful for comfort over style

I had also chosen this time of year for cooler temps and we ended up with high 20s but I managed okay. There were sooooo many pregnant women at my hotel too, much further along than me! Try and enjoy it and have a great time :)

No, I cant say I’ve ever enjoyed flying but I’ve never felt like this.

I’m covered with insurance up until 32 weeks so that’s ok but again, something I’m worried about. DH doesn’t get it, thinks I’m overreacting and need to relax.

I went to the Canary Islands with DH between 28-30 weeks pregnant. We had a lovely time and it was so nice to spend that time together before the baby arrived. You’ll be fine, just take it easy when you need to.
Mallorca will have good healthcare if anything happened and you needed it.

You’ll be fine OP!

What have you got planned? I’d be aiming to spend lots of time bobbing about in the pool / sea.

I felt the same about a trip to Copenhagen at 31 weeks. I paid £50 for a not fit to fly from an online gp and got the holiday back as a voucher x

Thank you for you message, I’m really glad you enjoyed your holiday. I’ve bought some comfortable clothes and shoes which I wouldn’t normally wear 😂. I’m sure once I’m on the plane I’ll be okay and I’ll cope with the heat. Maybe I’m just building it up in my head.

You will enjoy the trip once there! It sounds like pregnancy anxiety is getting you to worry about things you clearly wouldn't normally be concerned about, otherwise you wouldn't have booked it.

Re: flying with a budget airline:
Don't panic about flying Ryanair - they're my go -to airline and if it helps, they've never been involved in a serious incident and have no fatalities in their history! I'm a nervous flyer who normally self medicates with wine, which I obviously couldn't do when we went on our baby moon to the canaries at about 25 weeks pregnant. It was honestly fine. Take things to distract you on the plane - books, puzzles, films on a tablet etc. Pack some nice snacks and get a nice bottle of pop at the airport.

Re: the heat.
My BIL and SIL were in Majorca last week and were wearing light jumpers on a lot of their photos. It's not guaranteed to be too hot yet. But if it does get warm, pack factor 50 and avoid the sun between 11-4. I'm also fair skinned, so on our holiday I just enjoyed a bit of sun in the morning then hid under parasols/in cafes the rest of the time.

Once you're elbows deep in nappies and no sleep, you'll be so glad you went and had the time together to relax.

Holidays won’t be the same for the next 18+ years so try to make the most of it.

ryanair has a great safety record. Make sure you read and comply with the baggage restrictions so the airport isn’t stressful.

You can burn more easily when pregnant so use plenty of sunscreen.

I flew to the US at 30-31 weeks last year. Like you I was very anxious but it was absolutely fine. Try to upgrade your seats if possible so you are comfier and get good compression socks. Drink lots of water and move around lots on the flights. You’ll be fine!

Travel insurance will cover you because they can’t discriminate against pregnancy.

Do make sure you get a fit to fly letter from the midwife!

Try and make the most of it, holidays will be very stressful for the next few years!

I’m in southern Spain at the moment and it’s hot but entirely bearable. There are loads of heavily pregnant ladies at our hotel, they seem to all be having a lovely relaxing time.

To clarify it’s hot in the afternoons but mornings and evenings are a really nice temperature.
the sun is not nearly as strong as it will be in mid summer, yet

Do travel with a copy of your maternity notes. The airline can ask for proof of your due date before allowing you to check in for a flight. I flew to the USA when pregnant with DD2 and there was no mention of it on the outbound flight but I don’t think they would have let me check-in to fly home unless I had been able to prove my dates.

I’m 29 weeks and on holiday in Italy with my DH now. It’s 30 degrees but easy to stay in the shade. Lots of walking through hilly towns but I’m just taking it slower than usual. Overwhelming probability is everything will be fine, I would try see it as you won’t get another nice relaxing holiday for a while again! We’ve left DD at home which is amazing but not the same as when we went away when I was pregnant last time as I miss her lots!