Did anyone fly when pg? How many weeks pg? How many hours flight?

[Queenie]

Hi! I've just done the mega-long-haul flight from the UK and wondered if sharing a few thoughts might help? My ob was fine with it but recommended we determine I didn't have a low-lying placenta first and again suggested the 2nd trimester as being a better time to make a long-haul flight. I still found it hellish and probably wouldn't do it again when pregnant, but then again 22 hrs on a plane, alone, with 1 hr stopovers is always revolting. But it IS possible. I would have found 8 hours far easier and been much more comfortable! You've probably already thought of these, and others have mentioned them too, but JIC...

- Get travel insurance!! A bit of research is a good idea. The best policy DH and I could find had great cover up to and including the 24th week. Most others we found seemed to only cover up to and including the 26th week and had the disclaimer of not including "anything event associated with or consequent upon the birth of a child" - i.e. no neonatal care in the case of a premature birth after 20 weeks. If your destination has reciprocal medical agreements with Australia (as mine did) then that helps matters. We were particularly anal about this as I was going for 2 months and DH was only joining me for a few weeks of this time.
- Get a copy of your obstetric history (your ob will print one out for you) and keep it in your hand luggage.
- Request an aisle seat (unless you prefer window) when you book your ticket: thank god I did this as I visited the toilet probably once every 30 mins.
- Drink at least a glass of water an hour - helps prevent dehydration and is supposed to lessen the risk of DVT. (Prob why I peed every 30 mins). I bought a massive bottle of water after the security screen (fluids). And do your DVT exercises.
- Consider pre-ordering a "special meal" on the flight if you don't routinely anyway (check how long beforehand you need to do this). My MS returned without warning! (even the vege "special meal" didn't help, but I took some bagels, fruit and crackers with me and ate those instead, and took some peppermint tea bags.) If you get stuck ask for extra bread or something if you can't stomach what they've served up.
- If you have any concerns let the ground crew know when you check in that you are pregnant and when on board, don't be afraid to ask the flight attendants for any help whatsoever. I found them invaluable as I was travelling both legs alone.
- Take a neck support pillow, eye mask and earplugs if you want to get any sleep at all!
- Give yourself sufficient time to recover from jetlag - can't remember what the time difference is b/w OZ and KL? I was stuffed for a week both times whereas I normally bounce back within a day or two. Be kind to yourself.
- Oh - and most importantly - enjoy it!!!!