Flying when pregnant?

[Flaneur]

Hi! It might be a bit early for such a question, but my husband and I have just booked a holiday overseas for 27 June to 21 July. We have seven flights in that time. I had a blood test with the doctor yesterday and she said I am 1-2 weeks pregnant. We think conception date was 31 january.

can anyone tell me when it is ok to fly? I think I might be just starting my third trimester (fingers crossed!) when we take our last flights on the 19 and 20 July. Can I fly with a letter from the OB or will any airline refuse to let me fly? I'm so worried we've just paid for flights we might not be allowed to use!

Thanks

[*LittleMissSummer*]

congrats on your pregnancy!! and i am not entirely sure. Hopefully one of the other lovely BB members can answer your question.

[didispunk]

Yuppers you will be totally fine, get some support stockings, walk around on the plane and drink plenty of water.

I have flown at 8 weeks, 6 months, 8 months, oh and 3 months.. So all good..

Airlines will recommend you not flying at 8 months... but with a doc letter they cant stop you.

[Miss E]

I believe you can fly domestically anytime up to 36 weeks without a letter from your doctor, I think international could be 32 or 34 weeks, but each airline may have different rules. Maybe have a look on their websites, or give them a call to find out for sure.

[Flaneur]

Thanks everyone!

Much appreciated (and a big sigh of relief!) I' just used one of the online calendars, and I think i'll be 27 weeks by then, so should be all good (if a little uncomfy!)

thanks again - loving how supportive BB is!

[belfie]

I flew at about 27 weeks and it was fine, I was advised to wear support stockings too. I was also told to get a letter from my doc to say when i was due - just in case they decided to refuse me. Apparently they CAN refuse you if they really want, so it's good to have a letter proving that you're only 20-something weeks and not further along. And btw, I found it was a great time for a trip and I'll be doing it again - wasn't too uncomfy at all.

Have a great time!

[Flaneur]

thank you! Great to know it's not too uncomfortable flying at that time. I also figure it's a great time to visit Paris and eat lovely pastries without feeling too guilty!

[Traveller]

I flew whilst 19 weeks pregnant with twins. I did not need a doctor's certificate but took one anyway as I needed wheelchair assistance due to bad SPD and was so big I was scared they might turn me away at the airport, but all was fine in the end.

Enjoy your holiday

xx

[YoYo]

I travelled last week fine with no doctors certificate, and I will be flying again at 30weeks and again at 35 weeks. I will be getting a doc's certificate for 35 weeks as it's the cut off for flying internationally (with Qantas anyway, but all are different).

I didn't find it very uncomfortable my last flight, but it's tough when the toddler drops his prized dummy onto the floor and the person in front of me has their seat back!!! Tough again when DS needs to use the toilet and I can barely fit in there on my own, let alone with a kid that wants to strip off to do his business!!!

Good luck and enjoy your holiday

[Cassius2]

i flew with emirates at 30 and then returned at 35 weeks. you will need a certificate from your care provider as they can refuse you (they can claim that you might be lying about your dates etc). so even if you are only 27 weeks, i would have one under your arm JIC.

also a really good idea to know what the cut-off dates are for the company you are flying with. when i checked in with Emirates the lady wanted to refuse me boarding saying they dont fly with women that prg...i was able to shut her down with a print out of their policy...

buy compression stockings too!

have fun!

[scoot11]

Hi,
I just wanted to add to this post rather than start a new one.
I am planned to fly to Europe when I am 26 weeks returning when I'm 28 weeks.
This is my first pregnancy and I'm not sure how flying for 24hrs twice in 2 weeks will feel at that stage. Will it be really uncomfortable? Has anyone done something similiar. I think I'd be ok or a shorter flight. Just a bit concerned about the length of flight.
Also I'm not sure travel insurance will cover me. Anyone know of a company that provides cover into the 3rd trimester?

[YoYo]

Scoot, I'm sure you will be fine. You won't know until you are doing it....and really, flights are uncomfortable at the best of times, having a belly doesn't really make that much difference...well to me anyway

I am 30 weeks on Sunday and I'm flying tomorrow (a 4 hour flight) with a 2.5 year old.

You'll be fine, if you're uncomfy, just walk around for a little bit, or perhaps log on to the air-line website and try and allocate your seat to one where you can get out easily, or stretch out.