flying

mon.petit.chou · December 2012

How late in your pregnancy are you allowed to fly?

My work wants me to travel to Arizona (I'm in FL) next month when I'll be ~30 weeks. There's also a trip to Denver at 35 weeks and CA at 39 weeks. I said no to both of those, HA HA!

I'm seeing an MFM and asked him about flying - he said to ask my OB. Of the 2 doctors at my OB's office, one told me 32 weeks, and the other (the one I'm officially assigned to) told me 28 weeks. But, then she said to check the airline's policy, and if work was really making me go, she would allow it. So I checked Southwest and they say they will let you fly up to 38 weeks (yikes). As for work, they want me to go, but no one would bat an eye if I told them I coudn't.

My DH is very paranoid, so we came up with the idea of him coming with me. We'd go up early for the weekend, visit the grand canyon, make it a little mini vacation. And then he feels a lot better because I won't be alone. I know if I tell him my OB's first recommendation was to stop flying at 28 weeks, then he will campaign hard to cancel this trip. Personally, I'm leaning towards feeling like 28w is overly conservative and I still want to go. I'm really looking forward to our little weekend away. So ladies, WWYD?

MrsRCP · December 2012

I have heard that it's not okay during the third trimester, so that would be 28 weeks. Honestly though, why risk it?

Country Girl in the City · December 2012

My insurance will not pay for a delivery out of network in the third trimester. After Christmas, I am not traveling anywhere that I can't get back easily to deliver at my own hospital. You might want to see what your insurance will and will not cover before you make any decisions, just to be safe.

msf11 · December 2012

I would say 30 is fine but if you think you'll be a wreck worrying than I say don't fly.

mon.petit.chou · December 2012

FWIW, I travel a lot, so it feels very routine and non-intimidating to me. I was in Denver last week (26w) and I'll be flying to VA next weeks (28w), so I'm just trying to figure out the right time to cut it off. Everything I've found on google so far has said 36 weeks if you're having a "normal" pregnancy, which I am. This is what's making me question if my doc is just extra conservative.

mon.petit.chou · December 2012

Country Girl in the City:
My insurance will not pay for a delivery out of network in the third trimester. After Christmas, I am not traveling anywhere that I can't get back easily to deliver at my own hospital. You might want to see what your insurance will and will not cover before you make any decisions, just to be safe.

This is a good point and something I hadn't thought of. I will check. Or I could just figure out what hospitals in phoenix are in-network, just to be safe

candreco · December 2012

I'm kind of in the same boat, there's a trip scheduled for next month when I'm ~31 weeks. At this point I'm playing it by ear, depending on how I'm feeling, since I don't have to decide until the week before. I've been flying a lot for work this pregnancy, and the last trip I did at 25 weeks wasn't too bad.

Country Girl in the City · December 2012

mon.petit.chou:

Country Girl in the City:
My insurance will not pay for a delivery out of network in the third trimester. After Christmas, I am not traveling anywhere that I can't get back easily to deliver at my own hospital. You might want to see what your insurance will and will not cover before you make any decisions, just to be safe.

This is a good point and something I hadn't thought of. I will check. Or I could just figure out what hospitals in phoenix are in-network, just to be safe

Make sure that you check both the hospital and anethesiology. I have a friend with the same insurance as me. She did not check and paid an extra $3000 because her hospital took her insurance but not the anethesiologist.

amurryduncan · December 2012

I like to use American Pregnancy Association as a reference and they say you can fly all the way through your 8th month. https://www.americanpregnancy.org/pregnancyhealth/travel.html

I am going to be flying for the last time at close to 28 weeks for a New Years/Birthday trip. Then it is home for the last 3 months relaxing and trying to get everything finished.

lkm2006 · December 2012

I'll be flying in two weeks when I'm 30 weeks. I asked my OB and she said up until 36 weeks. No biggie.

Kota26 · December 2012

mon.petit.chou:
FWIW, I travel a lot, so it feels very routine and non-intimidating to me. I was in Denver last week (26w) and I'll be flying to VA next weeks (28w), so I'm just trying to figure out the right time to cut it off. Everything I've found on google so far has said 36 weeks if you're having a "normal" pregnancy, which I am. This is what's making me question if my doc is just extra conservative.

Ooh- where in Virginia?

I am flying to San Antonio at 29 weeks, but after 30 I would be more hesitant to fly

mon.petit.chou · December 2012

Kota26:

mon.petit.chou:
FWIW, I travel a lot, so it feels very routine and non-intimidating to me. I was in Denver last week (26w) and I'll be flying to VA next weeks (28w), so I'm just trying to figure out the right time to cut it off. Everything I've found on google so far has said 36 weeks if you're having a "normal" pregnancy, which I am. This is what's making me question if my doc is just extra conservative.

Ooh- where in Virginia?

I am flying to San Antonio at 29 weeks, but after 30 I would be more hesitant to fly

hampton/norfolk/williamsburg/gloucester - I have a ton of family spread out around there!

jen1022l · December 2012

I just flew last week at 29 weeks, and my OB approved me to join my husband on a buisness trip to London the second week of Jan, and I will be 32 weeks at that point. She said for a flight that long she wanted me back by 34 weeks, but in general, a domestic flight would be fine up to 36 weeks.

jglenn4 · December 2012

Country Girl in the City:
mon.petit.chou:

Country Girl in the City:
My insurance will not pay for a delivery out of network in the third trimester. After Christmas, I am not traveling anywhere that I can't get back easily to deliver at my own hospital. You might want to see what your insurance will and will not cover before you make any decisions, just to be safe.

This is a good point and something I hadn't thought of. I will check. Or I could just figure out what hospitals in phoenix are in-network, just to be safe

Make sure that you check both the hospital and anethesiology. I have a friend with the same insurance as me. She did not check and paid an extra $3000 because her hospital took her insurance but not the anethesiologist.

Your friend should challenge her insurance company on this. I've heard a lot of stories about insurance denying anetheisologists' bills because they are out of network. Turns out MOST anetheisologists' do not belong to insurance company networks. I forgot the reason why but very few would be considered in network and when you get to the hospital you generally do not have the option to select a particular one. I called my insurance company to discuss this with them and I was told if you aren't given an option at the time of birth, then it's covered, whether they are in network or not (and I have an in network only plan).

jglenn4 · December 2012

You can fly in your third trimester. I just flew on JetBlue and my doctor had no problem with it. I also plan to take a trip in a few weeks and he says it's okay. I think most American carriers require a doctor's note or will not let you fly within 7 days of your due date. If your doctor has no issue with it then I wouldn't worry. What I would do is have a note from him (drafted and dated no more than 72 hours prior to your flight) that you are healthy enough to fly.

Country Girl in the City · December 2012

jglenn4:
Country Girl in the City:
mon.petit.chou:

Country Girl in the City:
My insurance will not pay for a delivery out of network in the third trimester. After Christmas, I am not traveling anywhere that I can't get back easily to deliver at my own hospital. You might want to see what your insurance will and will not cover before you make any decisions, just to be safe.

This is a good point and something I hadn't thought of. I will check. Or I could just figure out what hospitals in phoenix are in-network, just to be safe

Make sure that you check both the hospital and anethesiology. I have a friend with the same insurance as me. She did not check and paid an extra $3000 because her hospital took her insurance but not the anethesiologist.

Your friend should challenge her insurance company on this. I've heard a lot of stories about insurance denying anetheisologists' bills because they are out of network. Turns out MOST anetheisologists' do not belong to insurance company networks. I forgot the reason why but very few would be considered in network and when you get to the hospital you generally do not have the option to select a particular one. I called my insurance company to discuss this with them and I was told if you aren't given an option at the time of birth, then it's covered, whether they are in network or not (and I have an in network only plan).

She actually helped to author the new healthcare laws so I think that she probably knows what she is doing. She fully admitted that it was her mistake. You have to check with the hospital before hand to make sure everything is in network. It will be covered if they are not in network but not at the in network rate.

beforesunrise · December 2012

My OB prefers I not fly after 32 weeks and stay within a 2hr driving radius after 35 weeks.

If you do decide to fly later, you'll want an official note from the OB office stating your EDD (and possibly even that they ok you to fly). The airlines can use their own discretion about letting you on the plane if they don't want to take on the risk and I've heard notes from the OB can help keep them from stopping you from flying.

jglenn4 · December 2012

Country Girl in the City:
jglenn4:
Country Girl in the City:
mon.petit.chou:

Country Girl in the City:
My insurance will not pay for a delivery out of network in the third trimester. After Christmas, I am not traveling anywhere that I can't get back easily to deliver at my own hospital. You might want to see what your insurance will and will not cover before you make any decisions, just to be safe.

This is a good point and something I hadn't thought of. I will check. Or I could just figure out what hospitals in phoenix are in-network, just to be safe

Make sure that you check both the hospital and anethesiology. I have a friend with the same insurance as me. She did not check and paid an extra $3000 because her hospital took her insurance but not the anethesiologist.

Your friend should challenge her insurance company on this. I've heard a lot of stories about insurance denying anethesiologists' bills because they are out of network. Turns out MOST anesthesiologists do not belong to insurance company networks. I forgot the reason why but very few would be considered in network and when you get to the hospital you generally do not have the option to select a particular one. I called my insurance company to discuss this with them and I was told if you aren't given an option at the time of birth, then it's covered, whether they are in network or not (and I have an in network only plan).

She actually helped to author the new healthcare laws so I think that she probably knows what she is doing. She fully admitted that it was her mistake. You have to check with the hospital before hand to make sure everything is in network. It will be covered if they are not in network but not at the in network rate.

I'm sure your friend knows what she's doing but from what I've researched (and I am an attorney), if you do not have a choice for an in network anesthesiologist at an in network hospital and with an in network doctor, your insurance company will cover it (and the difference from their negotiated rate vs. the anesthesiologist's rate won't be your responsibility). Apparently, insurance companies are notorious for billing people but back down when called out on the practice. If anything, I would read your policy and have a discussion with your insurance company. You can check with the hospital but most likely the anesthesiologist is not in network and so you're still stuck with the same problem. Just my $.02.

Country Girl in the City · December 2012

jglenn4:
Country Girl in the City:
jglenn4:
Country Girl in the City:
mon.petit.chou:

Country Girl in the City:
My insurance will not pay for a delivery out of network in the third trimester. After Christmas, I am not traveling anywhere that I can't get back easily to deliver at my own hospital. You might want to see what your insurance will and will not cover before you make any decisions, just to be safe.

This is a good point and something I hadn't thought of. I will check. Or I could just figure out what hospitals in phoenix are in-network, just to be safe

Make sure that you check both the hospital and anethesiology. I have a friend with the same insurance as me. She did not check and paid an extra $3000 because her hospital took her insurance but not the anethesiologist.

Your friend should challenge her insurance company on this. I've heard a lot of stories about insurance denying anethesiologists' bills because they are out of network. Turns out MOST anesthesiologists do not belong to insurance company networks. I forgot the reason why but very few would be considered in network and when you get to the hospital you generally do not have the option to select a particular one. I called my insurance company to discuss this with them and I was told if you aren't given an option at the time of birth, then it's covered, whether they are in network or not (and I have an in network only plan).

She actually helped to author the new healthcare laws so I think that she probably knows what she is doing. She fully admitted that it was her mistake. You have to check with the hospital before hand to make sure everything is in network. It will be covered if they are not in network but not at the in network rate.

I'm sure your friend knows what she's doing but from what I've researched (and I am an attorney), if you do not have a choice for an in network anesthesiologist at an in network hospital and with an in network doctor, your insurance company will cover it (and the difference from their negotiated rate vs. the anesthesiologist's rate won't be your responsibility). Apparently, insurance companies are notorious for billing people but back down when called out on the practice. If anything, I would read your policy and have a discussion with your insurance company. You can check with the hospital but most likely the anesthesiologist is not in network and so you're still stuck with the same problem. Just my $.02.

She did have the choice at a hospital less than a mile away from where she delivered. I am delivering at that hospital and I know that all departments are covered. There are two hospitals within 5 miles of my house that are fully in network. I have had the opportunity to work with both and picked the one that I have more confidence in. We have many healthcare choices here and I even get to pick out of 30 insurance companies.

swelniak · December 2012

I'm flying to the Dominican Republic at 32 weeks and my OB said it was perfectly fine. She said most airlines won't let you fly past 36 weeks, but that's just because they don't want you giving birth on their airplane, not because it's a danger to you or the baby.

rm2013 · December 2012

I'm going on my baby moon at 29 weeks and returning at 30 weeks. I will have a doctors note in hand, as Ive heard of ladies being refused to fly arbitrarily.

I personally would not fly after 32 weeks, that's just a little too close for comfort for me. If you do just make sure you take a note!

sucrets4 · December 2012

swelniak:
She said most airlines won't let you fly past 36 weeks, but that's just because they don't want you giving birth on their airplane, not because it's a danger to you or the baby.

This.

Plus, I wouldn't want to be in an unfamiliar place. I'm traveling until abour 30/31w, but it's to my parents and to the ILs where I'm familiar with the hospitals, plus I'll ask for a copy of my records to bring along with me just in case. I had DD at 33w5d, though. However, I had NO indication of PTL with her, my water just broke that morning and I went into labor, so you can never tell even if you have a normal pregnancy.

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