Flying at 33/34 weeks pregnant

[bumpbear]

I really want to go to Vegas for a weekend before the baby arrives as I've never been and can't envisage going once I'm a mother.

Do you think it's a nutty idea to go for a long weekend at 33 weeks pregnant. It will be a 5 hour flight each way.

This is my first one so I have no idea if it's a bad idea physically.

Any advice would be really helpful. x

 

[kat2504]

It will depend on how things are at the time. Airlines have different rules. After about 28 weeks you usually need a fit to fly letter from the doctor. After 36 weeks they usually won't let you fly, but some might have earlier cut offs. If you have no complications at 33 weeks it is probably perfectly safe. Will you be covered by travel insurance in the event of premature labour?

If it were me I would want to go away a little bit earlier than that, but there is probably no medical reason in most cases not to fly at 33 weeks? But couldn't you go a month sooner?

 

[LaRockera]

I can tell you it's safe to travel. Provided it all goes well, I'll be travelling at 35 weeks to Greece to give birth there. It's about three and a half hours from the UK. This is the maximum limit most air-companies will permit you to fly by.

As for the weekend, I suppose it's how you feel, honey. If you're all good and fit and don't suffer from backaches and the like, I don't see why not. Just take all your pregnancy info with you for that 'just in case' minor possibility.

 

[bumpbear]

I wish I could go earlier, but holiday season gets in the way (we're flying home to London to spend it with family), and then DH can't get time off work til early Feb.

Hmmm, think I might just risk it and call it our baby moon because I have seen a great deal that I don't want to pass up!

 

[no drama mama]

I actually just asked about this yesterday. My MW said that travel is fine and that it's around 35-36 weeks when they suggest you stay put.

 

[staralfur]

I've been wanting to take a trip home next month (I'd be 26-27 weeks) and the flight is only an hour and a half...but I'm REALLY paranoid that something will happen on the plane, or I'll give birth while I'm there - not the end of the world but my OH wouldn't be with me, and that would be awful.

But I've read a million times over that flying is safe at any point during pregnancy, given you've had no complications. The only restrictions you'd have would be the ones placed on you by the airline. If they let you fly at that point, then you should be good to go. But I'd run it by your doctor/midwife before you go if you haven't already.

Also, I'm not sure what you're planning to do in Vegas but if you're there to hang out in casinos and gamble, be aware that EVERYONE smokes and you'll be in a constant cloud of cigarette smoke. But if you're not too excited about sitting in a casino all day then no worries. Vegas is a BLAST!

 

[MyMomToldMe]

I have to go to a wedding around mid-April. I am not sure how many weeks I will be, but I am worried about flying.

I second the whole thing about Vegas casinos. They are full to the brim with smoke and rude people. Can't you still go down the road once baby is a little older. There are a lot of cool things to do (e.g., rollercoasters) that you can't do now anyways.

 

[bumpbear]

I just want to see the shows, the strip and go for a few nice meals. Plus, laugh at how awful the pretend Paris and Venice are. We're staying at a hotel with no casino. So I'll pop along to one for a few minutes to have a look then go and find something else to do. I'm not a gambler and am a tee totaller by lifestyle choice even when not pregnant so I never would have participated in the usual Vegas debauchery anyway. Might try and squeeze in the Hoover dam and fly over the grand canyon if we get the time too! All booked now so I'm excited about the thought of one last holiday! Thanks for the advice ladies, it's been really helpful!

 

[HopingFor2v1]

Just wanted to pop in to say that, as of late, some of the bigger casinos have banned smoking in the actual casino. We live in Vegas and if you want the Vegas "experience" without all the crowds, you could always go away from the strip a bit. They have some really nice casino's in the Vegas area (not on the strip), one is called Red Rock Casino... you can gamble, enjoy the spa and pool but not have to put up with all the partiers!

But, I'm sure if you are coming all the way out to Vegas then you'd want to enjoy the experience. Just though I might pass that along since you don't really hear about places off the strip.

If you do decide to come out, enjoy it!! Late winter/early spring has very nice weather....it's not quite 120 degrees out yet

 

[twilliamssbt]

Regarding travel insurance, are you in the UK, if so do you by any chance have a bank account that comes with travel insurance.

I ask because I have an HSBC advance account which comes with Travel insurance, I rang the medical declaration line this week as we are flying to Jamaica on Thursday for our wedding. When I told them I was pregnant, they told me that all aspects and complications of pregnancy are automatically covered as part of their travel insurance, did not even ask how many weeks I was. I am flying with British Airways, and because I have disabled assistance also informed them im pregnant, and they said they did not need to know at how many weeks I am. I think BA will fly up to 32 weeks without fit to fly letter and after you need a doctors letter. Twin pregnancies are earlier though.

I was extremely impressed with my travel insurance I must admit.

 

[JessicaMarie]

I flew when I was 35 weeks pregnant, it was totally fine, i was totally fine, she was totally fine. Couldnt believe that on my way home no one offered to help me get my bags down, but other than that, all was good. I think youll be ok...my trip was probably about 5 hrs each way as well.

 

[ladybrixton]

Hi,

As long as you aren't showing any signs of any complications (pre-eclampsia, preterm labour etc.) then you should be fine. Most airlines allow you to fly up until the end of your 36th week as long as it's a singleton pregnancy and you have a letter from your care provider stating how far along you are and that there have been no complications in your pregnancy.

I am flying at 33+4 from New Zealand to London - 24 hours on a plane (well, technically two planes). I'm dreading it as I worry I will be horrendously uncomfortable for such a long period of time, but we had plans to go travelling before we found out we were pregnant and we didn't want to cancel them so we're just coming home earlier in time for the baby to be born.

As long as you stay hydrated, move around the cabin every hour or so and wear support stockings (this one isn't necessary, but it's advised) then you should be perfectly fine. Airlines don't like the thought of you going into labour in the air as they have to make an emergency landing, which costs them lots of money. That's why they stop women flying after 37 weeks - not that it is a risk to the mother or baby, but the chance of going into labour is obviously much higher then. The risk of preterm labour is the only risky thing about flying, but even then, flying doesn't cause you to have an increased risk. If it were going to happen it would happen on the ground too, the only problem is it's obviously more risky if you're in a plane instead of a hospital! Flying in a normal pressurised cabin won't harm you or your baby at all.

x

 

[RosemaryBaby]

I asked my doctor about flying when I'd be about 32 weeks, and she was less concerned about the flying and more concerned about the location. I wanted to go to Colorado and she said nope because of the altitude change which could affect me. I'm not really sure what Vegas is like regarding altitude or whatnot, but that might be a factor to consider when making travel plans. It least it had to be for me.

 

[bumpbear]

I asked my doctor about flying when I'd be about 32 weeks, and she was less concerned about the flying and more concerned about the location. I wanted to go to Colorado and she said nope because of the altitude change which could affect me. I'm not really sure what Vegas is like regarding altitude or whatnot, but that might be a factor to consider when making travel plans. It least it had to be for me.

I hadnt thought of that at all! Booked now, but only stand to lose $200 if we have to cancel so not too bad. I'll ask my OB about altitude stuff at my next appointment. Thanks for the heads up.

 

[RosemaryBaby]

No problem! I know Colorado is especially high altitude, so it might be a unique problem, but never hurts to ask just to make sure Good luck, I hope Vegas is great!