Flying to the canaries at 31w?

[firsttimepregnanthelp]

Bf and I would love to get away for one last relaxing holiday before baby arrives and we are looking at going at the end of Feb when I’ll be 31w. I’m currently low risk and understand that I’d need a fit to fly letter but thought it would otherwise be ok. I told my mum, who used to be a midwife, and she said she thinks it’s risky in case I give birth prematurely although there has been no suggestion I am at risk of
this - she had pre eclampsia with me and I was born early but I am taking aspirin What do you think? I will speak to my midwife of course but interested to hear others’ thoughts/experiences

I flew abroad at about the same number of weeks. It was fine, however I needed specialist travel insurance (which needs to cover both you and baby if born). Usual insurance will not cover the baby/bringing baby home etc and may not cover the birth of more than 24/28 weeks when travelling.

I live abroad and flew home to visit family, flying back to where I live at 35 weeks. I did this knowing the risks and took all my pregnancy notes home and had a plan in case I ended up giving birth there.

However for my summer holiday at 30-ish weeks, we opted to go somewhere a few hours away by car just so we could get back fairly quickly if needed.

I'm pregnant again now and just flew home for Christmas and back at 28 weeks. No one asked for a fit to fly letter or anything, and I have been low-risk in both pregnancies. There were a lot of comments in a previous thread on flying here and risk of PROM but I'm not flying anymore in this pregnancy so I just tried not to think about it!

Do inform yourself of the risks, and have a plan for what you would do in the event of baby coming early. And then enjoy your holiday!

Ah thanks for the advice and reassurance ladies 😊

Sorry OP but I absolutely would not consider this. Low risk or not. It’s the what ifs. Not worth it for the sake of a holiday.

i would reconsider flying and heading somewhere outside of uk, mainly as I would be unsure of what medical support I would receive if required. I have recently experienced PROM at 32 weeks and if it occurs you can go into labour within 24 hours (I think). This didn’t happen for me but I was admitted for monitoring due to associated risk of infection and given precautionary antibiotics and steroids for baby over the preceding 24 hours.

not sure of the probability of this happening. Kind point is it can happen and worth considering if you feel you will have access to a level of medical support that you are comfortable with, if something like this occurs.

if you do decide to go, have a lovely time and stay safe x

Thanks guys, we are actually thinking of going in 2 weeks now when I’ll be 26w - would that be better?

Thanks guys, we are actually thinking of going in 2 weeks now when I’ll be 26w - would that be better?

I wouldn’t risk it tbh, if you give birth out there it could end up being a complete nightmare getting the baby home, and travel insurance is likely to cost a fortune.
I’d go on an UK break instead

No I wouldn’t go at 26w either, just doesn’t feel worth it for me for a holiday

I’d definitely go at 26 weeks but probably not at 31.

Why does anyone want to fly when they are pregnant if you don’t have to?

@Rocknrollstarto have one last relaxing holiday before life changes irreversibly?

I went away for a babymoon at 31 weeks pregnant (to Paris so was eurostar not a flight) but I didn't feel worried about going abroad at this stage personally, as like you I don't have any risk factors that made me concerned.

I applied for a European health card, had insurance, and figured if anything happened, they have hospitals and maternity care! I personally wouldn't have felt comfortable flying much later but people do, and longer distances as well, so if you feel OK and you've prepped for the small chance of something happening I'd say go and have a nice time

@Orangewillowthat’s encouraging to hear, thank you 😊

Risk factors or not - it’s a risk! Giving birth early isn’t pre determined for many women!

I went to the Netherlands at 26 weeks and Germany at 29. I wouldn't have gone at 31 plus.

I had my son at 31 weeks, after going full term with my other son so I definitely wouldn't risk it .

And if you do go I'd be checking local hospitals , maternity and NICU care etc in local hospitals just in case, even in the NICU we were at we had families from hundreds of miles away staying . The problem being if you did go into early labour you'd be stuck there , My baby was in for 5 weeks . So financially there would be an impact. As long as you are comfortable with that.

I wouldn’t do it. It comes down to this - would you be comfortable giving birth in a Spanish hospital (nothing wrong with them just thinking unfamiliarity and language) and being there with baby?

Thanks everyone, we are going to go in 2 weeks when I am 26 weeks which I think is safer? Looking at Tenerife as they seem to have good NICU care at their hospitals and I am going to look for hotels nearby to them

We are only going to go for 4 nights too

Would not at all. Too risky, dont you remember the case of the woman who did the same. Gave birth prematurly had to fight to get her baby home but needed a passport for it. It wasnt a british citezen as born abroad. Imho I think you're crazy to consider it. Stay in the UK

@Eggybreadwithnutsno? Do you have a link?

@firsttimepregnanthelp
https://www.businessinsider.com/british-couple-trapped-grenada-caribbean-island-after-baby-born-sea-2023-8

@firsttimepregnanthelp better link
https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/mum-who-flew-4000-miles-27505254

Are you still thinking of going OP?
@firsttimepregnanthelp

@Eggybreadwithnuts that woman was 35w pregnant and travelling with the intention of giving birth abroad. I will be 26w