Flying and pregnancy

[Canucker]

Hi All,

I was hoping some people might be able to share their experiences about flying while pregnant.

My husband and I plan to go back to Canada in late July returning early August - I will be just be at the end of 31 weeks and will return before I am 35 weeks pregnant. I just checked out the Cathay website and they allow woment to fly with single pregnancies up to 36 weeks - provided they have a doctor's note.

But now I have friends filling my head with stories about how "their co-worker went to 2 doctors and they were not allowed to fly after 20 weeks and there is no way I will be allowed to fly" and "doctor's here won't let women fly."

I am 13 weeks along and have had no problems so far - not even morning sickness. Now I am aware things can change down the road, but if anything is going to get me worked up and stressed out it is not being allowed to fly home to see my family who I have not seen in a year. My husband and I booked our holidays before we got pregnant and have have booked a cottage where both sides of the family (from oppositie ends of the country) are meeting for 3 weeks.

Has anyone else flown in their 7th and 8th months? Are doctor's ok about giving permission to fly if you have had a "normal" pregnancy?

Thanks!
Hopefully stressed over nothing.... Canucker

 

[carang]

why don't you ask your doctor here to give you a note that covers both directions. if as you say, you have had an uneventful pregnancy so far, then he should be able to accomodate that request.

just have the note saying that you have permission to fly between such and such dates. and that you are required to be back in HK by a certain date.

good luck!

 

[drcookie]

Good Luck Canucker,

the problem is even though things are uneventful they can become so very quickly. I speak having just spent 4 nights in hospital at 28+ weeks. It may be that one way is fine, but you get stuck. As long as this isn't a problem then you will probably be able to get a doctors note. Remember by 31 weeks you will be on 2weekly antenatal appointments in case anything happens.

Hope you sort everything out.

 

[SoLong]

My doctor allowed me to travel since the first day of my pregnancy. Though she did mention that IF anything goes wrong (which you cannot predict), I should see a doctor immediately. So we ended up not travelling for the first trimester (though we had an expensive vacation booked in Cape Town). Everybody tells me that one should avoid any heavy travel during the first and third trimester. Then again, it is your doctor who can judge better. Talk to him/her and get a note accordingly. Don't forget every pregnancy is unique.

 

[Matty]

I travelled through my pregnancy until my 32 week.
As I had no complications my doctor gave me a note no problem.

His only advice was, don't travel unless you are prepared to give birth at your destination should something go wrong.

Flying was fine, though more tiring and uncomfortable than usual towards the end.
I did notice that he kicked like crazy on descent. I guess he noticed all the pressure changes, which did make me a little nervous.

 

[aussiegal]

I travelled right through my pregnancy, each month til 36 weeks. You can check each airlines policy. I suggest having a doctor's note or evidence of how far along you are- otherwise they can say you 'look' further along and can't fly.

Travelling at that late stage gets uncomfortable. I could hardly move my stomach was so big!

 

[woodk6]

I flew from LAX to HKG at 31 weeks. I had a Dr's note giving me permission but Cathay didn't even check it! Anyway, I was VERY uncomfortable even in business class - just FYI. You're just going to have to play it by ear until then however, see how the pregnancy goes and then you and your Dr can decide if it's a good idea.

 

[Canucker]

Thanks everyone for the great advice.

You are all right, I will just have to see how I am down the road - if I have any complications at all I will not fly - but if I feel okay I hope the doctor gives me the okay as well.

The cottage we have rented for 3 weeks is about 45min -1 hour away from a hospital so if I did have trouble or go into early labour I would be prepared to give birth back in Canada.

I will chat with my doctor at my next appointment just so they know I hope to go back to Canada for 3 weeks.

Best,
Canucker

 

[Canucker]

Hi Everyone,

I asked the RN at my appointment yesterday (24 weeks) about getting a note and she pushed me on to the DR who has told me to see the "Head of Obstetrics" at Queen Mary if I want the note.

Seriously.... no troubles so far. Have been told the baby is normal and have put on 5kg of weight so far. I know things can turn wrong very quickly and the DR's are probably being just cautious in waiting until I need the note. I'm just ticked "at the system" here and how overly cautious they are.

I talked with a friend back in Canada who flew to the US at 32 weeks and she said the airline's didn't question her at all. I just wanted to get a note in case anyone questions how far along I am. Oh well... will see what happens next month.l

Canucker

 

[jamesandsimo]

hi, i travelled back to australia at 36 weeks to have my baby. Cathay asked for a doc's cert but all it said was i was 36 weeks! So it all went fine.