Air travel when pregnant

kknitter

Hello,

We are plannning a week holiday in France, I will be 17 to 18 weeks then.
Anyone travelled/holidays when pregnant? Am looking for experiences, would it be too risky, should I avoid travelling at all and stay put till baby is here?

I dont seem to see it as being risky as it is 17 - 18 weeks not too late in pregnancy. I wont be travelling later on anyways. So want to grab this oppurtunity.

Any experiences early or late are welcome.
Appreciate all your help.

Regards

McBubbles

Hi, I flew at 13 weeks, 24 weeks and 27 weeks. All flights were short enough (the longest was 2 hours) and they were absolutely fine. I had mentioned it to my doc before each flight and she was happy for me to travel. (So maybe mention it to your doc) What I would say is give yourself plenty of time in the airport so you don't have to rush, I found flight socks great, very unflattering but I had no swelling etc, drink loads of water and wriggle/move your feet throught the flight. Hope you have a great time

kknitter

Thank you very much McBubbles.
That's great to know Yes, i have spoken to doc already.

Dinkie

I've flown quite a bit while pregnant and there were never any issues. I'm 32 weeks now, so am grounded.

Drink lots of water and +1 on the compression tights.

I spent nearly 2 weeks camping in France at 24 weeks. Make sure your E111 (think thats what its called) is in date and your travel insurance covers you incase of issues (mine did). Else enjoy!

banbhaaifric

Just back from a week in Egypt (5 hour flight) and am 29 weeks. I just made sure to get an aisle seat so I could walk around easily during the flight. Keep hydrated too and get those compression socks.
I did bring my full medical chart with me though just in case, and checked with my insurer that I was covered for all pregnancy related issues. And got a fitness to fly letter too as it was pretty obvious I was pregnant...
Have to go to London for a few days but time is running out!! Both Ryanair and aerlingus require a letter after around 28 weeks I think.

2nd trimester is a great time for some hols if you ask me. Morning sickness hopefully easing and you're not too big to be uncomfortable. Enjoy!!

Das Kitty

Had a lovely holiday in Germany around the same stage, OP. Go for it.

ameee

Went to france there two weeks ago at 16 weeks and I had no problems at all. Did so much walking over in disneyland for four days with our kids and I felt great the whole time, have plenty of water and wear flight socks.I went to my gp for a check up a few days before just to make sure my blood pressure wasnt high or anything although mine is always very low if anything. Enjoy your holiday

lazygal

Flew during my first and second trimesters both time with no issues. I'm just too uncomfortable to fly in the third, plus I didn't want to go too far just in case.

kknitter

Thank you all for your replies. So very helpful I am relieved to know all your experiences.

Thanks all for your recommendation for flight socks. Will be buying soon. I am 10 weeks btw

Dinkie wrote: »

I spent nearly 2 weeks camping in France at 24 weeks. Make sure your E111 (think thats what its called) is in date and your travel insurance covers you incase of issues (mine did). Else enjoy!

Thank you Dinkie. Could you please let me know what is E111. Will have to confirm with the insurer whether I am covered or not.

ameee wrote: »

I went to my gp for a check up a few days before just to make sure my blood pressure wasnt high or anything although mine is always very low if anything. Enjoy your holiday

Good point Ameee. Will make an appointment just to be sure before leaving.

Once again appreciate all your replies. So very helpful

Xdancer

The E111 has been replaced by the European Health Insurance Card

http://www.hse.ie/eng/services/list/1/schemes/EHIC/

Oral Slang

Last pregnancy I flew to New York at about 15 weeks & to London at 27 weeks. This time I flew to London at 8 weeks & am hoping to get a week away late August or early September when I'll be about 28/29 weeks. Don't mind flying, but just hoping the heat won't kill me. If I held off until later in September the weather might be a bit cooler, but then I'd be over 30 weeks, so not ideal.

banbhaaifric - was the heat a killer or are you used to it?

banbhaaifric

Hi Oral Slang,

tbh I thought I would be a bit more uncomfortable at 28/29 weeks but I was fine really. Even able to get the tray table down

It was HOT! though, but after a couple of days I found it ok. We slept with the air conditioning on and stayed out of the midday sun and I was totally fine. I've never been much of a sun worshiper really so I tend to move from shade to shade anyway.

There were a lot of steps in the resort though and I did find that I was huffing and puffing around the place a bit, and my feet did swell up quite a bit

But I think there is nothing nicer than popping loads of sunblock and a hat on and bobbing around in the water, pool or sea. There were some truely blissful times just floating around with my lovely hubby!

All that said, I found the dry heat in Egypt easier to bear than the humid heat in mexico (last year, 22 weeks pregnant). But I had a dreadful tummy in Egypt and wished I'd brought something from home for it

kknitter

Thank you all for your amazing replies. Will be booking the holidays now , already excited