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December 2015 Moms
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Safe to travel?

macshaymacshay member
in December 2015 Moms
Hi moms,I am 29 weeks today and my due date will be December 16.
My concern is I will travel to my home land on November which is 35 weeks of my pregnancy,is it safe for 12 hours air travel?anyone of you travel same stage?
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Re: Safe to travel?

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  • Elizabella85Elizabella85 member
    Definitely a doctor question since it's such a long trip, especially if you plan on returning here before the birth. It will probably depend on risk factors. I know my doctor won't let me travel at all after 35 weeks because I'm at risk for preterm labor with GD, even though I'm not even had BH contractions. If I wasn't at risk, I know he still wouldn't allow a flight that long after 34 weeks, no out of town trips at 37 weeks, it's just his policy but not all doctors are the same. If your OB does allow you to go, make sure you get up to walk around a lot, you need the circulation to avoid blood clots.
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  • BostonBaby1BostonBaby1 member
    Agree with PPs… Consult your doctor.
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  • jjmacejjmace member
    Plan this with your doctor in advance b/c many airlines will require a note from your doctor that far in your pregnancy.
    If it's at all possible upgrade your seat... The extra space and attention will be worth it. You most likely will be feeling pretty uncomfortable by that time.
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  • satindawl83satindawl83 member
    edited September 2015
    Off topic, but regarding a doctors note, how do airlines really know how far along your are?! It's not like they ask before you book.

    Some women appear bigger and are not that far along, while some could appear smaller and be 36.+ weeks.

    End of rant.
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  • jjmacejjmace member
    @satindawl83   It seems that they really can't know for sure, and they are inclined to take your word. It has to be a difficult policy to enforce, and many gate agents could probably care less than to hassle you. It doesn't seem to be a big problem especially with domestic flights as they are not as concerned with flights under 5 hours.  International airlines have written stricter policy where some want documentation of clearance as early as 28 weeks for longer travel.  They even have different tiers of restrictions for how far along you are.  They do have the right to refuse you boarding until you supply these documents should they choose to enforce their policy.  Some airlines flat out refuse to transport after a certain point in a pregnancy.  
    @macshay Go to your airlines webpage and read what their policy says.  Start talking with your doctor now about this plan.  
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  • groovylocksgroovylocks member
    edited September 2015
    I've had to travel a lot for work but no 12 hour flights (assuming you're flying? If this is a drive, may I suggest flying?)

    So a few things. Airline seats are VERY uncomfortable unless you plan to travel first class international and that's just expensive as hell. I don't know if you get short of breath but I do and sitting in those seats always causes me to lose my wind really quickly.

    Try to get either an aisle or window (I actually find the window more comfortable but if you are taller you might not agree) and get up as often as you can and walk around.

    35 weeks and 12 hour flight feels like a risk to me.. but I'm not a doctor so I'd definitely talk to your doctor in detail. I informed my boss at 25 weeks that I was through traveling until after I give birth due to discomfort and being really tired. But that's me. I was so worked up with my schedule that i was no longer functioning or making sound decisions. I was literally out of my mind for a month or so. :) So beware that travel will take the mickey right out of you in a way it didn't before.
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  • Catherine1021Catherine1021 member
    Like others have said, you should talk to your doctor about it. My OB originally said I could travel until 36 weeks. Some issues have come up since then though, and I am now considered high risk, and she has strongly suggested I do not travel once I reach 32 weeks.
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  • juliestevejuliesteve member
    No way would my OB agree with 12 hours of air travel that far along.
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  • Daphneh28Daphneh28 member
    taysun said:
    You should consult your doctor, they will let you know if there are any concerns

    I work for an airline. I'm a supervisor and our rule is over 32 weeks we need a doctor's note. It is super hard to enforce and there is this certification that you get( it's called CRO) because pregnancy can fall into temporary disability. I have had ladies give me the note without us asking for it. I feel most people are pretty responsible with this rule and I always upgrade them if I can. If I see someone who looks dangerously close (and now that I am 30 weeks I know I over estimate haha!) I usually just friendly ask oh how Far along are you? Most of the time if the flight isn't long we have been told not make a big deal out of it. But if it's longer than 3 hours I do have to make a judgement call, if you would tell me 33 weeks and over and not have a note. I would hate for anything tohappen to anyone and have a diversion and the stress on mama and baby on me when it could be avoided. It's the same thing with people that have epileptic attacks (seen it! Not fun) and other sorts of malaise before a flight. Usually 8x out of 10 you aren't going anywhere that day friend. Like we joke not today friend, not today. personally my doc grounded me since 12 wks. No flying anywhere till baby is born due to dehydration issues. 12 hours seems kind of rough and trust me I feel you on going home while preggo. I've had to make peace with not going (and I fly for super cheap home!!! It broke my heart cause I wanted to babymoon home!) so I would definetly look into the airline's rule (they all vary) and consult with your doc. Remember the pressure and air changes when you are up there and you never know how your body will react. And if you are flying over seas and feel horrible or something happens there may not be an airport for them to divert for you for hours and you would be on the hands of whatever doc or nurse is on board as well as (very brave and extremely qualified yet neither doctors nor nurses) the flight crew. Btw they also have the right to ask for a doctors note even if we on the ground don't. Hope it helps to make a decision. Go with your doctor's advice and don't risk going without a note. You don't want someone like me telling you, not today friend! Lol!
    Lilypie Breastfeeding tickers
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  • ketobabyketobaby member

    I travel for work (by plane) and I have talked to my OB about this. He would never approve for me to take a 12 hour flights so late in the 3rd trimester. As pp have mentioned definitely talk to your OB before purchasing a ticket! Especially if you don't plan on having the baby in your home land and you want to return before you give birth.

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  • VesperLoveVesperLove member
    Definitely consult your doctor, but I just few to Hawaii (six hour flight) at 25 weeks and was SO uncomfortable on the flight home. On the flight there I had a seat next to me open so I could move around a bit more and even lie down a bit but on the way home it was torture. My doc told me to get up and walk around as much as possible on the flight to avoid circulation issues but even that didn't help with how uncomfortable I was. I cannot even imagine doing TWICE that at 35 weeks ... nor would I personally want to risk it. 

    But talk to your doctor and see their thoughts ... even if they say yes though, think of your comfort level and whether that would be worth it. 
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  • jackiejohnstonejackiejohnstone member
    The airlines here in Europe mostly make a doctor's note mandatory after 28 weeks and they won't take pregnant ladies after the end of 35 weeks, no exceptions.
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