Some advice needed re plane travel

Firsttimer16 · August 2015

Hi everyone,

Looking for some advice on an issue that I cant get out of my head at the moment! We have a family wedding abroad coming up in 3 months time - it involves a 14 hour flight! I will be 31 weeks at that stage and then just over 32 coming back. Doctor has said so long as I am healthy and everything is going ok that I could go but that it's not a decision I can make right at the moment. If a letter is needed, she will provideit for me. What are your thoughts?! Obviously I hate to miss it and its so hard having to wait so long to be able to give an answer. My husband is going to have to go with or without me which also makes me sad. I know I can say that I will go and it will be fine but surely closer to the time I will start having second thoughts. Is it worth booking flights and ensuring our travel insurance is comprehensive enough in the eventuality that I have to cancel? For those of you who have travelled abroad at that stage - how was it? It is such a long distance but I will be in the company of family who I know will take great care of me but am I being selfish - I do have more than myself to think about! I'm just feeling really confused and looking for opinions from people who have done it in the past. Any thoughts would be very much appreciated!

RunnerMeg · August 2015

What specific advice are you looking for? How many weeks will you be at the time? Have you talked to your OB about traveling that far?

As for the actual flight. Unisom is your friend to help you sleep. Drink lots of water and get up to walk around through the cabin to keep blood circulating and prevent swelling and (rarely) clots. Compression socks help a lot with circulation and swelling too.

Have a fun trip!!

ETA - my phone autocorrect sucks.

Firsttimer16 · August 2015

Any advice I guess! I suppose I'm wondering would I be nuts to drag myself across the world at that stage and would it be a risk. Like I said, the doc said if all is ok that she would write me a letter confirming that but I don't know how I'm going to feel in a week, never mind three months from now! Sorry if my question was a little vague - don't think I know myself what questions I have. Suppose reassurance from people who have done it before and concerns from others who think its risky! I'm indecisive at the best of times never mind when pregnant. FTM so I am feeling abit lost about it!

Firsttimer16 · August 2015

RunnerMeg said:

Why specific advice are you looking for? How many weeks will you be at the time? Have you talked to your OB about traveling that far? As for the actual flight. Unisom is your friend to help you sleep. Drink lots of water and get up to walk around through the cabin to keep blood circulating and prevent swelling and (rarely) clots. Compression socks help a lot with circulation and swelling too. Have a fun trip!!

Thanks for the flight tips! Had a two and a half hour flight there last week which was fine but obviously 14 is a LOT longer!

Firsttimer16 · August 2015

Just realised that my message posted before it was finished so that really did look like an obscure post! Have fixed it now - oops!

apinkpelican · August 2015

So you'll be 7 months preggo? As long as your Dr. says it's OK I'd say go for it and have a great time. I didn't start feeling really uncomfortable until 8-9 months. You should probably be sure to get up and move a lot to keep your blood moving and be sure to drink water or Gatorade. Pack a TON of snacks!

My dr. had me take a baby asprin last time I was preggo because she was concerned about blood clotting but that is something that was specific to me and you'd definitely want to ask your Dr. about it.

RepeatPostPolice · August 2015

Agree with PPs. Also depending on your airline you may be able to get insurance (to recoup some of the cost of the ticket) in case you do end up having to bow out.
Eta completed thought.

RunnerMeg · August 2015

Hey! I responded before you initially finished your post, that's why it looked vague to me. And why I was asking questions you already answered lol.

If your OB is okay with it, I think you should go. Even though you'll be 31 weeks pregnant, it will be your last time being able to easily travel abroad (flying with a baby or toddler...not easy at all). Just make sure you get travel insurance that will cover you in the event you aren't able to go.

amargaret24 · August 2015

You will be fine. Make sure you have an aisle seat so you can get up a bunch of times to walk around and to pee. Nothing is worse then being on a long-haul flight and making someone else get up a hundred times. I've flown to Australia, Europe, and all throughout the States (about 30 flights) since finding out I'm pregnant (about 17 weeks). The shorter flights are actually more difficult becauase there is the quick up and down, you can't get up to pee so much, the entertainament sucks, and there is hardly any food options. Long flights, once your commfortable just feel like your sitting, eating, and watching TV for an obscene amount of time. I'd say worry more about jet-lag and getting adjusted. Nothing is worse then the exhaustion plus baby exhaustion.

Firsttimer16 · August 2015

Thanks for the advice guys! Don't think I can decide just yet! Keep changing my mind!

mamaksweez · August 2015

I would totally go! Once you have kids (we have a 1yr old) traveling kind of sucks. Enjoy the crap out of it! I didn't travel 14hrs 37wks pregnant. I did travel to Maui (I think about 7 hours? Between 2 flights) at 20wks. My doctor told me to get up and walk around at least every 2 hours, and to point and flex my feet so I wouldn't get blood clots. Also drink a ton of water, and like a PP said, get an aisle seat! I did not have one and the man next to me was very nice, but I felt bad asking him to get up all the time.

victoria3000 · August 2015

Pregnant frequent flyer here! I fly with my husband for his work frequently and have done many international trips since preg! It's completely fine - don't listen to the hype, there is nothing to it apart from hypochondriacs or fussy mums. The key is preparation and enthusiasm, I quite enjoy the down time and excuse to binge watch movies! My tips... Be sure to ask for an aisle seat close enough to the front bathroom (for frequent use and you want to depart the plane first when it lands). Be sure to invest in some sound silencing headphones. Order vegetarian meal. Drink loads of water with added hydralite (added electrolytes for hydration). Lip balm and moisturise lots. Pressure stockings are great too for peace of mind. My hubby always reminds me to stretch too which is handy! Good luck!!

Firsttimer16 · August 2015

Thanks so much guys! I really expected people to say no - most of my friends think I'm nuts to even consider it!
I'm sure the flight is manageable but would I ever forgive myself if something happened whilst over there!
I really appreciate the advice guys - you ladies are great.

TinyDancer51510 · August 2015

You should definitely go if your OB gives you the go ahead. I don't envy you the 14 hour flight but if it were me, I think I'd regret not going.

ah1013 · August 2015

I am going on a trip in October.. I think I'll be around 27 weeks. My flight will be much shorter, but they told me to try and get up and move at least once an hour, get compression socks, and a seat by the restroom. I also called the hotel and requested a room close to the elevator or ground floor so there is less walking once we get back to the hotel if I have a long day. We purchased the trip insurance like someone requested, it was about $30 a person but you can cancel at any time with a full refund and it includes travel insurance - I would look into that if you are planning on booking soon!! Have fun!

skfg · August 2015

As PPs have said, if you have OB clearance and you are feeling good, go. In addition to getting as comprehensive a travel insurance policy as possible, find out how your insurance covers out of the country care - ie do you need prior authorization on file before you go, what is your out of pocket max for this type of care, etc.

I had a former coworker travel out of the country while pregnant and she needed medical care. It took a long time to resolve when she got home. She later found out w/her coverage if she had notified med insurance she was traveling before leaving it would have been covered immediately.

Buehler99 · August 2015

Get support stockings, and as pp have said, make sure you get up every 1-2 hours and walk around the cabin. The last thing you need in a foreign country being so pregnant is a DVT!! Enjoy!

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