Travelling to US for work 25 weeks pregnant

[franny8831]

I’m due to fly to Las Vegas for a work trip and I will be 25 weeks at the time. Although work are not putting any pressure on me to do it, I do have career-based job that is very dependent on me going (I’m the organiser of the event).

This is my second pregnancy and I am a fit individual so the travelling part doesn’t really concern me. My main concern is being covered via insurance for baby and me if any implications happened during my trip as medical bills are eye-watering in the US.

Has anyone had to deal with this in the past and has it been an issue? Also, am I barking mad just even considering this?!

Ensure the insurance covers everything........or don't go

surely work should be covering the insurance, unless you are self employed?

I absolutely would not travel without insurance. A baby in the NICU for a few weeks can run into hundreds of thousands of dollars. Worst case scenario, if your child were to be born there, you’d have to get a passport for them to travel and deal with the complications that come with US citizenship for them. On a more trivial note, it’s a long flight and you might be uncomfortable sitting for that long. I personally wouldn’t risk it at all.

Not to scare you.
I just went to Disneyland Paris for a few days at 25wks. Within 3 days of being home I was admitted to hospital with early onset pre-eclampsia. I’ve been stabilised for now but I will be delivering early and it’s been an incredibly challenging and upsetting week, I didn’t hesitate to go away at that gestation!

I wouldn’t do it again!
But then many people travel successfully with no complications

Years ago now, but I travelled abroad for work at 20 something weeks pregnant. I checked that my work’s insurance policy covered pregnancy and it did. I work for the NHS but not sure if that makes a difference, it wouldn’t have been the NHS providing care abroad. So, I’d clarify with your work’s HR that their insurance policy is comprehensive.

I would say your employer has a duty of care for you. For your peace of mind, by all means check with them that their insurance covers al pregnancy related issues.’ I’m sure it will. Many pregnant women must go on business trips.

I wouldn’t be going to the US pregnant in the current climate. Not to be alarmist but some states are now treating pregnant women as incubators - look up the tragic case of Adriana Smith. I’m not sure of the position in Nevada but I don’t believe it’s a particularly liberal state.

I wouldn’t go to America. If something happened to you then in some states they would let you die rather than terminate the pregnancy to save you and leave your other kid with no parent.

Will you have rest breaks? What temperature will it be?

I’ve lost babies and never got my rainbow baby so personally I don’t think it’s worth it. Don’t martyr yourself. If you died tomorrow the even would survive

Thank you all, I understand the current climate of the US isn’t ideal and just generally their state laws are shocking.

I need to find an insurer that will provide cover for me and the baby. Although most cover, when speaking to an underwriter they say if that baby was born prematurely during travel, they won’t cover the cost of the medical of that baby which will be a no-go for me. If this was Europe, I would feel a lot more comfortable but US is known for their medical bills (on average it’s about $40,000 just to give birth!) so I need to ensure I’m covering every scenario as I wouldn't be worth the risk.

If an underwriter tells you something, why are you asking MN? Trust the expert.

@MrsTerryPratchett That’s just one provider, it was more if anyone has any providers that have covered them or been in the same situation.

I come across problems that in the UK would usually be minor - a small bleed, a urine infection, concerns about contractions - and suddenly you need a new fit to fly certificate which nobody is prepared to give you. If people are travelling to see family etc then I am much more relaxed, because they can always just be stranded and stay. Finishing up somewhere for some weeks without any possibility of returning home is very difficult.

Then I'd try a broker.

Hi! My brother's wife recently had a baby in Vegas (Summerlin Hospital) and it was just over $50,000 (slightly more as she was induced, but it was straightforward delivery and this is only for 2 nights in). C section, longer stay for you plus NICU for baby would easily be running into hundreds or thousands, if not into the millions.

Nevada isn't as bad as some of the Southern states in terms of rights for mother etc. but I personally won't be going to visit my brother, wife and niece when I am (hopefully soon) pregnant with my second (even if my insurance covered).

Also surely, the onus should be on your work finding the insurance rather than you! Agree with what one of the other posters said about them having a duty of care.

Why are you doing this rather than work? Leaving aside practical issues with travel, I’d make clear to work what you need and get them to find an insurer to cover you. Both so they do the legwork, and so that they’re financially responsible if there are gaps (get that bit in writing!).

It’s normal for corporate insurance to cover business travel, and that shouldn’t be any different if you’re pregnant.

Your company should have insurance for you travelling. Private insurance that you would use for a holiday may not cover you for business purposes. I would check with your company 1st.

Pregnant American here. I would absolutely make sure insurance would cover both you and the baby if born early - realistically you would never have to pay those crazy amounts you see online, as hospitals will write off huge amounts for those without insurance, but I do understand the concern and you want to be protected from even having to worry about it - but Nevada is not a state you need to worry about in terms of pregnancy healthcare/abortion rights, fortunately. Elective abortion is legal there until 24 weeks, after that it’s legal with a doctor’s determination that it is medically necessary.

I would book your flights without connections in abortion ban or heavy restriction states though - you can find a list here. I won’t travel to or through those states right now.

I wouldn’t go, I was pregnant with my second at 34 weeks so a bit further along than you. I was at a family wedding so not abroad never even considered an issue, I had gone alone because of my partners work he couldn’t come and left our daughter with him. I had a bad bleed, ended up blue lighted to the nearest city hospital and was stuck there for a good week very nearly had to have an emergency C section. If that happens to you, your miles away from home, no insurance! Yes I think your mad to consider it. Stay home and look after yourself and your baby.

I work a lot in the US
I’ve done it in very early pregnancy and it was hell
when I found out I was pregnant this time I said no and my colleague did my trip for me.
Our insurance for work wouldn’t have allowed it anyway

Hi OP

Sorry you are receiving posts from people basically telling you not to go because it’s America… you’re able to make your own decisions on whether you want to!

You’ve asked for practical advice/ help identifying an insurer- have a look at admiral.

I’m going away next week (at 25 weeks) and deliberately booked that time because they will only cover prem birth and NICu for a singleton up to 8 weeks prem (eg 32 weeks)

so at 25 weeks you should be covered with them- there is an FAQ on their website dealing with it too :)

https://www.admiral.com/travel-insurance/pregnancy-travel-insurance

You could ring them to triple check!

Work doesn’t stop just because we are expecting and if you feel up for going then it sounds a good career opportunity if you’re arranging the event.

Hope the above helps.

Assuming insurance covers you, I would go, assuming your doctor/midwife is happy with the travel. Your employer should be providing the insurance.