When is plane travel not safe

[Anonymous]

I am 34 wks and was hoping my dr would allow me to go to Florida for the weekend...no go. What is the latest your doctor would allow you to travel in 3rd trimester.....i am a big traveller and get cabin fever in town too long - we have family in Florida so IF something happened feel like we would be directed to right hospital, etc...

[Anonymous]

Generally, I would say that if you are healthy than you are fine to fly - just remember to bring your medical/pregnancy records with you and be prepared to go into labor in FL (the issue isn't the flight but being away from your doctor/hospital in the event that you go into labor), but your doctor said no. So I wonder if there is another issue that is keeping you in the District.

[Anonymous]

I believe airlines also have their own rules on how late a pregnant woman can fly.

[Anonymous]

I think mine said 35 weeks... something like that. DVT is also more of a concern when flying pregnant. Be sure to flex and straighten your legs, walk around a bit, etc., and drink lots of water.

[Anonymous]

I think 34 weeks is standard for both doctors and airlines, considering 38 weeks is considered full-term.

I don't think your doctor (or airline for that matter) is concerned with what happens once you are IN Florida - their concern is that nothing happens on the flight.

If you're really itching to get away, why don't you take a train to NY or a short road trip somewhere??

[Anonymous]

My practice also said 34 weeks for travel, although I believe that ACOG guidelines say 36 weeks. However, I have been told by other people (not my doc, who I never thought to ask) that insurance may not cover the birth if it's at a different hospital than the one you've planned on. So that's something to think about!

[Anonymous]

My feeling is that doctors like to control everything, and airlines are super-sensitive to lawsuits. I'd press your doctor for a reason, and not some general talk about policy, before you decide whether to go. The flight isn't long, and you could have your blood pressure and cervix checked a day or two before you go.

[Anonymous]

I have a variation on this question-- when does flying just become too uncomfortable to deal with? I have a family wedding (husband's side) at 32 weeks that would require me to fly cross-country and back over the course of a long weekend. I'm getting major heat from my MIL about the fact that I am thinking about not going (although hubby would still go). I know you can technically fly until 34 weeks, but I'm worried that I am just going to be too uncomfortable to deal with a 5 hour flight by that point. Those plane seats are so small, the bathroom lines in coach can be LONG, and I may not even be able to reach the bathroom if the drink cart is in the aisle. Not to mention putting my body through a 3 hour time change for a 4 day weekend. My MIL is treating me like I am the worst person in the world for missing this wedding due to concerns over my own comfort, but since this is my first baby I don't know what to expect and feel like I have a right to err on the side of my own comfort/safety. For those of you who have flown past 30 weeks (in coach), is it as bad as I think, or am I over-reacting?? Thanks!

[Anonymous]

My doctor allowed me to travel up to 36 weeks. I had a relative pass away when I was 36 weeks, and I got my pregnancy history/medical history and I traveled with my toddler on two different flights each way. I was also a scheduled c-section patient. It was my risk to take, and I felt it was ok. I never told the airline about my pregnancy and since it was winter, I wore a jacket and nobody even knew I were pregnant. I delivered a healthy baby 3 weeks later.

[Anonymous]

PP here. I forgot to mention I traveled in coach too. Both flights were 2 hours each. It really wasn't that bad. In fact, the most difficult part was my toddler. My toddler was the most uncomfortable thing about flying..he wanted to sit on my lap. And please put MIL in her place..don't let her make you feel bad. It's your choice to go anywhere and since this is your first baby, you're going to be overly concerned with everything.

[Anonymous]

I flew at 29 weeks, 32 weeks, and will be flying again at 34/35 weeks this weekend.

When I flew at 29 weeks, I was miserable. I flew with too much too carry and I had a very demanding schedule in the cities that I was visiting (two stops at a couple of days each). So while the actual flight wasn't much of a problem, getting around the airport was terrible with all the baggage. At 32 weeks I had a short visit and checked everything - not a problem. I am flying again this weekend which is the very end of my 34th week and I am hoping that it won't be a problem for me. The only reason I am going is because it is my best friend's wedding and I know that it will not be a stressful flight and I am not bringing tons of stuff. At this point those are the three things I would consider when making up my mind to travel: * will it be stressfree? * can I mangage the trip with only one light bag of luggage? * and is risk of going into labor out-of-town worth it?

If you decide to fly, I suggest flying with your records and drinking tons of water.

[Anonymous]

To one of the PP's, feeling guilty about not going to a family event--ALL the prego women I know have used being pregnant as a reason not to travel to family and other events that are too far, or too uncomfortable. And they have every right to do so! Its not an excuse, its the truth, why put yourself through the uncomfortable hassle.

My Dr. said no travel past 36 but for anything past 34 he would prefer I have a reason to be traveling by air and that I really want to, just in case of the usual array of possible stuff that could happen. I don't see myself wanting to travel far by then anyway.