Flying when pregnant.

[????]

I THINK* *don't take this for medical advice, that the only reasons Airlines don't want late pregnancy woman on board is they don't want

a) People giving birth at 30K feet

b) any potential liability issues

...'elf & Safety innit..

But please check rather than take my crap for gospel

[karter]

Thanks for the tips & advice RB, Ann, candj, Yak and all.

Monarch writes on their website that they will refuse pregnant ladies over 32 weeks but on the phone say it will be fine with the correct paperwork. So looks like it could be a bit of a gamble this, talking of gambling alright quids, nice to see you on the other side, thanks for your medical advice.(tu)

[regalia]

When my wife was pregnant and wanted to fly all over the place at 66 weeks or thereabouts,

I secretly went and booked a week together in a very ritzy pampering spa, it was one of the best of all our holidays,

sadly it whizzed passed.

Avoiding all the airport miseries, and no expensive tickets, was bliss.

[karter]

Quite happy to go to a spa too but not enough sunshine down there regalia. Doc/midwife letter needs to be dated within 2 weeks of flying so the airline says. Still not sure about the safety aspect though, air pressure etc, although she is in good health.

[candj]

The safety aspect in my experience (3 pregnancies and loads of flying up until 37 weeks preg) is fine. I made sure I drank plenty of water and walked around the cabin a lot which is easily done when you need the loo. And also you may be tired more and things like jetlag would be exaserbated. The reason airlines don't like women in their 3rd trimester is as ????s says (and my consultant) because having a baby on the plane is messy business. Also the 2nd trimester is the safest statistically as you are least likely to have something happen (touching wood as i type nothing is going to happen). What freaked me out once was when I was pregnant with my second in Rome going through the metal detector at the Vatican and the guard allowed me to go around it pointing to my bump. Needless to say i rang my consultant immediately to be reassured! Can you imagine???

Hope that helps a bit.

[jacina]

Hi,

I flew to Australia at 31 +5 to have my baby there. After much investigation I found most airlines would let you fly up to 36/37 weeks but no insurers will cover you after 32. Fine I imagine if you are travelling in the EU, but not so fine if transfering through Dubai/Singapore etc and something goes wrong. Also, you always need a medical certificate after 27 weeks.

The lack of travel insurance was my reason to travel earlier than I'd wanted to.

J

[ClareC]

As I understand it the reason is cost rather than risk to the baby.

Cost's a lot of money for a plane to land somewhere other than it's destination and a birth after 37 weeks is after all deemed full term!

From the insurers point of view there is a fairly high risk the baby will be born abroad which does rather mean a blank cheque on medical expenses - hence the exclusion.

I girl I used to work with went to France and went into labour and gave birth there, all was fine with mum and baby but the medical expenses were very high and there was definitely a dispute with the insurance company over them - think she wasnt covered but hadnt realised as hadnt checked the policy.

[karter]

Hi, just to update. Monarch desk was a bit crazy, conveyor belts did not work so everyone had to lug luggage to cage trolleys, they did not ask any questions to pregnant missus about her bump and we got through. Cabin crew asked no questions either. Getting back will be more interesting i think. We are sitting on the beach now and it's 28 degrees. Maybe we will just stay here.:)

[ClareC]

:-) Enjoy! :)-D

[karter]

Thanks Clarec, thought i should update this. Got back last week, Spanish airport staff looked at us and said nowt, cabin crew looked at us and said nowt whilst i was putting on her air socks. The hassle of getting fly to fit letters was a bit of a pain. Best be safe then sorry though i guess. Great holiday.

[littleEDfamily]

Assh... great to hear you did it and got some much needed r & r. Now for your next adventure...

[karter]

thanks lilEDfamily, think we will be flying in the clouds any time soon.