Traveling at 30 weeks conundrum

nycnola · March 2010

I am currently 23 weeks, but I want to take a weekend trip at 30 weeks. I have two options: I can drive, but its an 8 hour trip each way, or I can fly. Which is worse/better? TIA!

eastsidekitty · March 2010

I would fly. I am flying to the Bahamas next week at 29 weeks and OB said it was fine. i would not want to sit in the car for 8 hours!

jelly_bean8787 · March 2010

DH and I are going on a road trip from FL to OH in week 31....so hopefully it wont be that bad driving....EEK! GL

mrs.Awoods · March 2010

If it were me - I would fly. I can't see being cooped up in a car for 8 hours!

Sam78 · March 2010

I'd fly - 8 hours each way for a weekend doesn't seem worth it (regardless of pregnancy). Pregnancy related, flying keeps you in your seat more rigidly as opposed to being able to stop and walk around or whatever when you feel like it, but you shouldn't be so uncomfortable at that point that its an issue (I flew with my DD on my lap a couple of weeks ago).

chantellio · March 2010

I'm almost at 31 weeks and I think I could manage an 8 hour car trip with frequent bathroom breaks, bu even if I weren't pregnant I wouldn't want to drive 16+ hours for a weekend trip. I say fly!

z047059 · March 2010

I would Fly. My OB said fine to fly upto 36 wks... We went on a trip at 32 wks and flew. Thier only concern is blood cloting, so get up and move around a lot and make sure to stay hidrated. Ask your OB...but should be fine

BottomStar · March 2010

It depends on whether you're traveling by yourself or not. I flew by myself at 24 weeks and it was miserable because I had to lug my suitcase around and I was just so tired from all the walking and waiting through security, etc.

I did a 6 hour drive at 30 weeks by myself and was fine, and did a 9 hour drive at 33 weeks (through a blizzard) but DH did most of the driving. I had lots of snacks and stopped often, it wasn't bad at all.

witoga · March 2010

I would fly for sure! I flew up to 36 weeks while preg with DS and 32 weeks during this pregnancy - no problems and would far prefer it over an 8hr, each way car trip.

IrishBrideND · March 2010

I did both at 30/31 weeks. I flew 3 hours each way, and I drove 9 hours. Both were easy.

carrotcake06 · March 2010

I'm currently debating this decision myself for a trip at 34 wks. I'm leaning heavily towards flying. Just make sure that you check your bags - I'll probably fly with southwest bc they don't charge.

BriAndSean · March 2010

I did both recently as well and I would vote fly. I had a cross-continental flight at 30 weeks and it was easy. I did check my bag though since I was travelling solo. Then at 31 weeks I did a long car trip... 7 hours on the way down and 5 hours back. The car trip was doable, but much less desireable for sure. If I had to do another long car trip, I would definitely plan for more frequent stops. After about 2 hours, I really need to get up and stretch. That was easy to do on the plane, not so much in the car.

almostabuck · March 2010

I could do 8 hours in a car now. I wouldn't want to drive that far for just a weekend under any circumstances, though.

vegandy · March 2010

I just flew to mexico last week & it wasn't too bad, I did get super swollen even though I drank water and walked around. (hello cankles) I have a car ride to dallas (about 8 hours) for our baby shower at 30 weeks and I'm flying to new orleans at 31 weeks....so not sure how comfortable either will be but I have to do both

(edit) I would totally fly to dallas if it were an option but we would spend a fortune shipping back all of our baby shower gifts and dh loves road trips....

shanad · March 2010

I am just starting 32 weeks and I went to North Carolina this past weekend for my great-aunts 95th birthday.

I had the same concerns. Drive 8 hours from New Jersey to North Carolina or take a plane an hour.

Dr said I'm healthy and no problem. Gave me a copy of my pregancy records (just incase I had to go to the hospital). She said she wouldn't recommend a cross country flight or flight to Europe but that a few hours in a plane were ok, just drink lots of water and get up a move around a bit mid-flight.

In my opinion, the one hour flight was no problem, my only worry getting on the plane was my seat belt not fitting and being embarrassed to get the extension belt (but yeah! I still fit in a normal seat belt!)

edbenbow · March 2010

I think you'll be fine either way. I'm 30 weeks and driving 12 hours tomorrow... I know I'll need frequent stops, but I'm not worried. I flew at 25 weeks and the only part that annoyed me was having a really hard time getting stuff out from under the seat in front of me because my belly was so big. I honestly think I will prefer driving, but I've done lots of road trips and an 8-hour drive is no big deal to me.

cajungirl0717 · March 2010

Defintely fly. You will not want to be in a car for 8 hours. It will be longer because you will need to stop every once in a while and walk around, go to the bathroom, etc

ohiomama2355 · March 2010

I fly weekly through this past week so I was 31.5 weeks when I stopped flying (my job entails weekly travel). It wasn't fun, as it's tough to waddle through airports, but it was doable.

My suggestions:

Ask for a bulkhead as soon as you get to the gate. It's more leg room and you'll want to stretch your legs to prevent cramping
Bring a couple bottles of water. Drink at least one bottle per hour of flight
Watch the salt intake the day of the flight so you can curb as much cramping as possible (the legs are the worst in flight)
Sleep as much as you can

mic2004 · March 2010

I took a 12 hour trip from NY to NC for Thanksgiving when I was approximately 32 weeks. We just made sure to stop more frequently and I got out each time to stretch and walk around. Did you ask your doctor?

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