Flying to the USA at c. 30 weeks pregnant. Good idea? Bad idea? Advice?

[OhBuggerandArse]

So I've been offered a wonderful opportunity, to travel to the West Coast of the US for a work related conference, all expenses paid, a great career-boosting honour, etc etc.

But I will be 30 weeks pregnant at the time. As far as I can see from the regulations, as long as I have a doctors certificate I wouldn't actually be barred from flying - has anyone any other thoughts on whether it would just be a foolish thing to try and take on? What would I need to do in terms of getting medical cover while away? It's my second, and so far the pregnancy has been pretty easy - but is it unwise to gamble on this continuing to be the case?

I've been stalling on my reply, but really can't leave it any longer - any suggestions on how to make the decision would be very gratefully received!

if you do go please wear compression stocking and make sure you walk around the plane regularly. Your risk of DVT is increased anyway because you are pregnant and flying will increase it more. So make sure you take precautions.
Have a good time

I'm sure you have already thought of this but do check with the individual airline before you book.
Your comfort would be my only concern, apart from dvt.

I would ask the opinion of an experienced midwife or preferably an obstetric consultant before booking anything. Long haul flights do increase the risk of DVT especially in pregnant women so definitely wear compression stockings etc. I have read somewhere of a doctor prescribing low dose aspirin or even heparin for some healthy pregnant women flying long haul in the 3rd trimester to reduce risk of clots, but that has to be decided by your medical team nearer the time I imagine.

I had many plans for around 30 weeks pregnant, including a meeting involving a short haul flight, but unfortunately developed sudden onset severe pre-eclampsia and DS was born at 30 weeks! Hopefully as I'm assuming your first pregnancy was straightforward, healthy and went to term this should be in your favour.

Good luck and really hope you get to go and enjoy it!

Flying at 30 weeks should be fine - airlines vary, but it can be OK up to 34-36 weeks with doctor's note. I flew long-haul (12 hours+) at over 30 weeks in both my pregnancies, and had no problems. But you must make absolutely sure you have travel insurance which covers pregnancy-related claims - health costs in the US are horrendous if you should happen to need any medical attention there. Check the small print of any policy very carefully....

x-posted with jobhuntersrus- agree definitely check with airline(s) as friend had all medical certificates etc. and still wasn't allowed on a short haul flight at 31 weeks as it was just the airline policy that no pregnant women fly past 28 weeks.

It depends on how uncomfortable and big you are at 30 weeks, which is very difficult to predict,

it is a long flight and airplanes are not the most comfortable places.

I know that I felt very big, uncomfortable and tired at 30 weeks in my current pregnancy, whereas in my first pregnancy I felt very different as I felt like I could do anything at that stage,
I guess I am trying to say that it depends on how you feel and how seriously you regard your own comfort.

I had a similar situation when pg with DD3. My obs consultant pointed out to me that, if something happened and DD3 was born prematurely, I could be stuck in the US for weeks or even months before she was well enough to travel. He said it was not like Europe, where she could be brought home overland more easily. I did have some medical concerns with DD3 which made this more likely, but it is something worth thinking about. I didn't go because I couldn't bear the thought of potentially being away from home for a long time.

Please do make sure that, not only are you covered for any pg-related illness, but that your baby will also be covered if born. Once born, (s)he is a separate person from you and may not be covered by your insurance, IYSWIM.

also perhaps think about doing the flight in two stages
and make sure you get the plushest hotel going

I have to go to a conference in Germany when I will be 30wks - not as prestigious as yours sounds though. I'm planning on flying out as late as possible, attending the bare minimum of stuff, doing my bit, pressing the appropriate flesh, making the most of the hotel pool/spa/buffet, having early nights and coming home early too.

I am under no illusions how knackering it will be, and that is without west coast jetlag, which can be nightmarish.

Still, I think I might prefer to be going than to be at home wrangling the toddler alone, which will be DH's lot...

Totally second what Poledra has said.

Really think it through - it could of course go without any problems...but do give consideration to what you would do if any problems did occur.

I went to west coast of the US when I was 27 weeks pregnant, returning at 29 weeks. It was absolutely fine, and the stewards/stewardesses were lovely, one was an ex-nurse and we had nice chats when everyone else was asleep and I was standing in the corner doing leg stretchy exercises.

Can your work bump you up to business class? Being able to lie flat was especially good for me being pregnant - I even got a few hours proper sleep both ways.

As far as travel insurance goes, check before you go, but they're not allowed to discriminate against covering you because you're pregnany 9new law that came in a month or so ago). Check as well with them what coverage the baby would have if it actually came early - not just what coverage you have.

I flew long haul at 28 weeks. All of the above is good advice. All I would add is that if any thoughtless git reclines his seat in front of you, go and stick your bump in his face and point out nicely that his doing so makes it hard for you to move. Honestly why do they put reclining seats in long haul economy?

Apart from that- enjoy your baby free trip to the fullest! xxx

ooh, thank you so much to you all - and sorry to vanish, had to do some work and then deal with home...

I should rephrase, to start with - the trip wouldn't be THAT glamorous, it's just very glamorous for me, but my standards are extremely low for that sort of thing! It's just very nice to have been asked, and by someone I respect enormously.

Good food for thought all around - I suppose Poledra's point is the one I'm most worried about. It is being so far away, and the US medical system, that I'm really fretting about - with the last pregnancy I went to a conference in Germany too, Mrs BAdger, and was amazed by how much I enjoyed myself.

I might look into the insurance side of things before deciding, as that sounds as if it might be very expensive - and I don't think I could reasonably ask the hosts to cover it! Glad some of you think it might be feasible, though - makes me feel less foolish for considering it at all.

I would expect your work to cover the costs of the extra insurance if they want you to go, OBAA (love the name ). And I was in the situation where there was a good chance DD3 might need hospital care (5 days in SCBU, as it turned out) and it was bad enough being in hospital without DDs 1 and 2 in the UK, never mind the US!

I did go to Italy on a work trip when 30 wks pg with DD1 and had a ball - the Italians treated me like royalty - 'twas lovely

Hiya

I'm a pregnant brit living in the states and all I can say is insurance, insurance, insurance.
Get it before you come and check that it will cover you for all the procedures you may need as a result of being pregnant (including the simple stuff like scans, check ups and basic tests) Also check that there are no geographical restrictions like being covered in one state but not another.
It won't be that expensive but check the small print. You should also bring a major credit card as you may be asked to pay something even when you are insured. Not much, I sometimes get charged $50 every now and then as no insurer covers you 100% which is a total con.
Make sure you carry the insurance card or confirmation letter around with you in your bag all the time.

Also take a photocopy of your antenatal notes including name and contact numbers/emails/fax for your doctor and obstetrician and make sure you have your doctor states any allergies.

Other than that. I would definitely go

Get great insurance cover before even considering it !

OK! So I have the plan - has anybody done this before and got any recommendations for insurers? I remember going all round the houses for the Germany trip and getting very confused about who I should choose or where to start!

Def go. I went to east coast about the same stage as DH was working over there. It was fab. The weather was great, BA was fab and got me a nice seat with leg room (Delta was RUBBISH).

But I did check and re-check the insurance. Can't remember who we were with (probably annual armed forces policy), but most companies should cover you.

Hi Ladies

I am due to fly down to New Zealand from UK at 22 weeks pregnant. 13 plus hours to Singapore and 2 hour stop and onto next flight down to NZ (11 hours). It is my third baby and I am now 43 yrs old - does anyone know if this is okay to do. The airline seems okay about it and midwife says okay as long as you have letter from doctor saying 'fit to fly' but can't help but think what a long way to go in one hit.

Thanks for any of yours thoughts.

Have you done this flight before?

I did this trip in my 20's and tbh it was a fairly horrendous experience then - both ways I did it without a stop over and I swore never ever to do it in one go again.

Can you stop over for a few days midway through?

I am flying at 30 weeks and have booked Ravenhall's Pregnant Traveller policy for me and my partner. Seems like a good policy and was £42 for our trip to France for both of us www.ravenhallgroup.co.uk/getquote1.php?ID=7

I want to emigrate to be with DP before baby is born, now 20 weeks but visa might not be through until 30+ weeks. it's a long way to Australia and I have been worried about problems especially going into prem labour and giving birth in abu dhabi or similar. Am I being stupid trying this? Really don't want to give birth without DH but he can't get back here..

not married yet so still DP