Flying and pregnancy

[Canucker]

jamesandsimo,

Thanks for letting me know that... I will look into getting a note that just says how far along I am in my pregnancy. I might not even need the note but thought it is better to be safe then sorry.

Canucker

 

[jamesandsimo]

yes, my note was from queen mary, all it said was i was pregnant and how far along i was / or when i was due, either one. they wouldn't do anything else for me. That was fine, it was just the check in staff asking how far along i was and if i had it from the docs.

 

[firstimer]

I travelled to London & then to Madrid on my 30th month and all was ok, taking into consideration that i had low risk pregnancy. Please make sure that you have the necessary papers in case the airline checks. Furthermore, my OB also advice me to put a about 2-3 days rest day in between the flights...Seriously though in hindsight I should have stayed in Hong Kong during the advance stage of my pregnancy, I was so tired from the trip that my immune system was not that great when I came back, plus added pressure from work & jet lag made it even worse am not sure if this contributed to my delivering the baby 3 weeks early.!!.. If this trip is important and can't be postphoned then by all means go, just remember to bring necessary items and some doctor's contact where you're going just in case..

Have a nice trip!

 

[firstimer]

I travelled to London & then to Madrid on my 30th month and all was ok, taking into consideration that i had low risk pregnancy. Please make sure that you have the necessary papers in case the airline checks. Furthermore, my OB also advice me to put about 2-3 days rest day in between the flights...Seriously though in hindsight I should have stayed in Hong Kong during the advance stage of my pregnancy, I was so tired from the trip that my immune system was not that great when I came back, plus added pressure from work & jet lag made it even worse am not sure if this contributed to my delivering the baby 3 weeks early.!!.. If this trip is important and can't be postphoned then by all means go, just remember to bring necessary items and some doctor's contact where you're going just in case..

Have a nice trip!

 

[cmnd]

Canucker,

With my 2 experience, I travel intensively (every 2nd week) right through to the end and did not experience any difficulties. Nevertheless please bear in mind this really varies from everyone.

Most important thing is have a through check-up a week before your trip (requirement by airlines) to ensure you are fit to travel.

Good luck and enjoy pregnancy experience!

 

[Canucker]

firsttimer and cmnd,

Thanks for the advice... up to this point my pregnany has been trouble free and nothing so far has come up to make me think I may have some trouble in the coming weeks. But if I start having trouble I will certainly cancel the trip.

I know the flight to Canada will be long and probably longer then usual being I will be pregnant this time, but once I arrive all I will be doing is staying in one city (and relazing) for 2 weeks until we fly back. We have also started looking into where the closest hospital/doctor will be if I have any trouble and I will take my pink medical book that I take to every appointment with me on the trip.

You both have really put my mind at ease... I was under the impression my request for a note saying how far along I was a FIRST at Queen Mary the way the nurse/doctor reacted. The nurse even wrote in my pink book how I was "pushing" for the note... but then again, she also told me 8-9 servings of fruit and vegetables a day is too much. Oh well.

Thanks again!
Canucker

 

[mmec]

Considerations

I was in a similar situation when offered an opportunity to fly to the United States from Hong Kong for some business meetings during my 31-32nd week. The temptation was that it would allow me to visit my family who I have not seen in almost a year and a half.

Consulted a few doctors and most young doctors would say NO PROBLEM. The one consideration from a doctor who really went into details that I would like to share with you:

For people who fly frequently, deep-vein thrombosis is an issue. Considering your veins are more swollen than someone who is NOT pregnant, the tendency of this occurence is at a higher risk. So long-haul flights are not recommended. If you choose to take such a flight, best advice is to not go for a direct flight, but transit after every few hours to allow you to walk-around to help alleviate such effect.

Hope this information is helpful in your decision making.

By the way, I have decided not to fly as I wanted to minimize the risk. As for my family, I have sent them videos and photos as well as held video conferences which really helped eased my feeling of not having the family involved in my pregnancy.

 

[LeahH]

Ive travelled extensively all the way through my pregnancy and had no problems getting doctors notes or with airlines. Just made sure I wore those special tight flying socks, got an aisle seat and walked a little pre and post the flight. I was flying business though, not sure I would want to have done the long hauls in economy... However, I have to stop at 32 weeks for insurance purposes! Defintely check with your work or provider.

 

[tzechuk]

I am a little surprised to read the poster who said one shouldn't fly during the first and the third trimesters. I flew when I was just around 12 weeks from Seoul, South Korea, to London, UK to attend a funeral and I had no problem whatsoever!

I would be hesitant to fly in my third trimester but if there's a need or want for it, then why not?

 

[annahk]

tzechuk, I think the reason that some doctors advise against flying in the first trimester is because that is when there is greatest risk of miscarriage. It is not that the flight itself is likely to cause miscarriage, just that if it does happen , it can be more traumatic for a woman who is away from home, in an unfamiliar hospital, new doctor etc. etc. There are some high risk pregnancies when they advise against flying at any stage.