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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Your experience of long haul travel at 7 months please

16 replies

RunningGuerita · 09/03/2010 09:59

Hi there,
This is my first post here, but I have been lurking. I am 36 and pregnant with no. 1 so clearly new at this! I know this topic has been covered in other forms but I would like to know other's experiences of traveling long haul at 7 months. I am 12 weeks (scan on Friday!). My family lives far away and one possibility of seeing my parents and one sister who I haven't seen in one year and won't see probably for another 2 years, is to travel from the UK to Hawaii when I am 7 months gone.
I realise the sensible thing is to wait and see how I feel etc. However, with flights you can't wait till the last minute to book.
I've been having a middle of the road experience so far: had several colds, feel nauseous most of the time (but haven't actually been sick), but have good days as well and am still functioning, eating, going to work, cycling most days, etc.
Am I crazy to contemplate a 20 hour trip? It would be two flights with a stopover.
Thanks!

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MrsBadger · 09/03/2010 10:06

check carefully with the airline what their regs are, some won't let you fly at all inthe last trimester.

I flew shorthaul for work at 7m and the airline said I had to have a fit-to-fly cert from the GP (though I had a tiny bump and no-one ever asked to see it)
When I saw the GP to get it she actually said she wouldn't certify me for anything longer than 2h at that stage, for my own good.

Actually i had a rotten time and was knackered even from that short flight, so even if you have a willing dh to carry your stuff and family to spoil you rotten at the other end I would think carefully.

Also consider what would happen if you were ill / the baby came early while you were out there - I was only in Germany but Hawaii is another matter...

MumNWLondon · 09/03/2010 10:15

Its just not possible to plan it in advance - firstly need to check restrictions about flying - most airlines don't let you fly longhaul after 36 weeks even if all is normal (so you'd have to fly back by 36 weeks unless you are planning to have the baby there) - and also after 28 weeks you need letter from doctor/midwife saying all is straightforward - this is hard to predict in advance. Also you would need adequate medical insurance.

re: the journey - personally I am 34 weeks now and I wouldn't really fancy it at all - hard enough to sleep on a bed let alone in a plane ... but if it was last chance to see parents etc etc and was travelling with someone else would probably go for it even if it was very uncomfortable. I flew on a 5 hour flight at 5.5 months and honestly that was bad enough, felt uncomfortable and nauseous whole way.

All in all sounds like a bad idea - can you not go earlier - best before 28 weeks? Or when the baby is a couple of months old?

Original poster

RunningGuerita · 09/03/2010 10:16

Thanks MrsBadger.

The airline I am looking at says you have to have a certificate if there is less than 30 days before your due date...

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Original poster

RunningGuerita · 09/03/2010 10:19

Thanks MumNWLondon.

I would be 31 weeks when I went out there. Unfortunately family doesn't live there, just possibility of reunion there.

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CMOTdibbler · 09/03/2010 10:19

I really wouldn't - I flew my final long haul when I was 25 weeks pg (did do short haul till 30), and it was miserable. Couldn't get comfy at all, DS kicked me non stop on each sector, and even in premium economy my bump got right in the way.

MumNWLondon · 09/03/2010 10:26

would you be flying by yourself?

Original poster

RunningGuerita · 09/03/2010 11:10

Thanks CMOTdibbler.

I think I am deluding myself! I just hate to miss the opportunity to see my sister. My mom will come over when the baby is born and I am sure I'll see my Dad at Christmas.

MumNWLondon DH would come as well so wouldn't be traveling on my own and would have a sherpa

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kittyonthebeam · 09/03/2010 11:28

Since this is your first baby (congratulations at this point!!) I'd be inclined to say go. make sure you check with all arlines what you need re GP certificate and get that just before you fly as it has an 'expiry date' on it. (Must be no older than, say, 1 week before you fly out). Make sure it covers your way back. How long will you be in Hawaii for? If you can rest there and not get dragged around and have people respect that you've come a long way under these circumstances it might be a great thing to do. I've done Ldn Singapore thrice with a bump, the last at about 7 months and I was fine but had the whole lot: tired, achy back, jet-lag acne and head aches...also looked like something the dog brought in but that's by the by.

I would book now but buy an insurance in case you need to cancel. No amount of money is worth putting yourself through misery. If the date comes and you feel crap then you have to let it go and log onto skype

All the best! Btw, I am 11 weeks, are you on my antenatal thread?? Sept 2010...

Original poster

RunningGuerita · 09/03/2010 14:58

Thanks kittyonthebeam. I figure it will be a miserable journey but I wouldn't have to do anything once I got there! My guess is that my mom will tell me I am nuts for even considering it.

I haven't joined any other thread, I will do and introduce myself properly!

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DomesticG0ddess · 09/03/2010 15:07

Congrats! I personally would not do it. We were house hunting when I was 7-8 months pregnant, and a 2-3 hour car journey was bad enough - it's just so uncomfortable. Depending on how big your bump is, you probably wouldn't even get your tray table down, LOL! Also, that is a particularly long journey that you have. I flew short haul lots until 6 months. At 7 months I wouldn't really fancy being that far from home either. It's a difficult decision, good luck!

Morloth · 09/03/2010 15:56

I wouldn't have wanted to at 31 weeks. We considered going home to have the baby (Sydney) but I just couldn't face the flight.

Totally doable if you really want to, but will be pretty unpleasant I think.

babynumberthree · 09/03/2010 21:11

I did a 12 hour flight at 34 weeks with ds1. I was returning home for maternity leave so thankfully didn't have a return flight whilst pregnant. It was difficult and uncomfortable but, if all else is well, and you feel it's really important, I don't see why not. Good luck.

greensnail · 09/03/2010 21:27

I flew from London to Sydney and back at 28 and 31 weeks during my first pregnancy. Flight out I travelled alone, but my parents were on the same flight as me on the return journey. I managed absolutely fine and found that people are really happy to help you if you ask them. A lovely air hostess saved me a whole row of seats so I could lie down for one flight, and they were all really great at bringing me extra drinks and snacks.

I needed a letter from my GP confirming I was having a low risk pregnancy and you need to make sure you have good insurance in case you need to cancel and in case you have the baby early while you're away (make sure your insurance will cover medical expenses for the baby as well as yourself).

Original poster

RunningGuerita · 10/03/2010 14:13

Thanks ladies for all of your answers. It sounds do-able but potentially very uncomfortable and clearly exhausting. I am not far enough in my pregnancy now (12 weeks) to know how big or not I am going to be...

I think I'll hold off making a decision for a while and see how I feel in a couple of weeks.

Thanks again.

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tanmu82 · 10/03/2010 17:47

It is tiring but possible. I travelled to Canada with DS when he was a few days under a year and I was almost 7 months pg with DD and flew back 2 weeks later. DH looked after DS which allowed me to rest during the flight. I also walked up and down the aisles every so often to keep blood flowing and wore flight socks. Drink plenty water to keep hydrated and SLEEP!

as others have said, do check with airline first though and have a word with MW or GP.

CharlieCorisepa · 10/03/2010 21:35

Hiya
I just came back from Peru last Thursday which was 17 hours in total and while I didn't enjoy the flight our baby is fine. We had to come back with us being 26 weeks as it was the earliest we could accomplish getting married and getting a visa for my husband! I certainly wouldn't have chosen to do it and given the choice wouldn't do it again but it was necessary and we were relieved everything was fine! Bebito kicked me all the way so it was hard to rest esp as Iberia Economy class is tiny seats. The staff weren't particularly nice and it was a busy, noisy flight. We also had the worry of 2 lots of immigration checks and lost baggage so maybe it was more stressful than yours would be! Unless you have to I would say don't but it depends how much you want to go!
Good luck with it all whatever you decide!

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