RP: travelers: how long could you travel preg?

jasrun80

my mom & I are considering going to FL to get the heck out of this MI freeze over and I'd be there weeks 30-31. is it safe to fly during this time in pregnancy? I'd love tips

FemShep

It depends on your pregnancy, but if you have a normal, uncomplicated pregnancy, most doctors are fine with you traveling through your 8th month.  If you travel in your last trimester, you may want to bring a doctor's note specifying your EDD; some airlines do not allow women past a certain point (38 weeks, usually) to fly.

Again, assuming a healthy pregnancy, you should be fine at 30-31 weeks.  Just be sure to drink lots of water and walk around the plane.

snicksnack

I traveled to Flordia and Oklahoma at 30 almost 31 weeks.  My doc did an untrasound just to make sure all was well because after 30 weeks if you go into labor you are stuck in whatever state/location you are in.  Just as an FYI FL was not fun my feet swelled up due to the heat and walking.  I went in the March timeframe

jlaOK

I traveled from Oklahoma to Mississippi (1-stop) by air at 30 weeks and traveled 16 hours in the car at 34 weeks and was fine both times.  The air travel was worse because we had 2 nights of delays but if not for that I would have been fine.  I had a very easy pregnancy with no complications.  My doctor gave me a note for the 30 week trip and wasn't happy with the 34 week trip but I felt comfortable and was willing to accept all risks (which basically was having the baby early and being stuck in the city I traveled to).

ewallace00

I went to Cancun at 30-31 weeks, and recently did a day and a half overnight US work trip at 35 weeks 5&6 days. The second trip was tiring but with a normal uncomplicated pregnancy, I was fine. Doctors said nothing after 35/36 weeks but only in case you went to labor. The airlines policies all say you need doctors note for 36 weeks plus, but no one from airlines asked me to see anything when I traveled.

Kewii

I did two long haul flights at 28 and 30 weeks.  There were no problems or complications.  My doctor was very supportive about me going and just asked that I wear compression tights. They were pretty uncomfortable, but I could see the difference between my feet (without the tights) and my legs, so it was probably worth it.

Like everyone else said, just bring lots of water and be prepared to get up and walk around as much as possible.

Good luck!

litzo27

I had a work trip at 32 weeks. My insurance specifically prohibits travel after 35 - if you travel and go in labor they won't cover anything.

cja06

I traveled by air until 33 weeks. It would have been until 35 weeks but we were bumping up against the holidays so no one was traveling for work after early Dec anyway. I also traveled by train until 37 weeks.