Living at elevation

climbrgal · September 2013

So i live at 7,000ft and my Dr. told me that after 36 weeks i can't leave Flagstaff. i need to ask her again as to why but i was just curious if anyone else lives at a higher elevation and has heard this.

ashybear · September 2013

Interesting! I'm not as high as you (4500 feet), and am delivering at sea level, so I'll be curious to hear the responses.

wedbliss5 · September 2013

I have not, but would assume the pressure change could impact labor or even cause your water to break (or concerns around that).

lmills730 · September 2013

wedbliss5 said:

I have not, but would assume the pressure change could impact labor or even cause your water to break (or concerns around that).

This would be my assumption too. Any huge pressure change is cause for concern, I would imagine.

AnnikaD20 · September 2013

I live at 6000 ft, and have heard a few fun facts about living/giving birth at high elevation (babies tend to be smaller but just as healthy, and frequently will come out kinda blue looking which might freak you out if you weren't expecting it). Nothing about the dangers of going to the low lands though.

I wonder if that's more about general travel restrictions during the last month of your pregnancy. Some airlines won't let you fly after around 36 weeks for example (varies by airline), and it makes sense to stay within range of your hospital when you're getting into the "could be any day now" part of the pregnancy.