work trip while pregnant - is business class a reasonable ask?

[Anonymous]

I would roll my eyes so hard they would pop off my head. Please don't ask. You are not the first pregnant person in the world.

[Anonymous]

Too risky to fly internationally at that stage. You should not be going.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:It’s a legitimate health matter and that’s a long flight. I’m sorry you even entertain the notion of being considered a “diva” for being concerned about your physical well-being on a long-haul flight at 31 weeks pregnant. I would ask.

How is it a legitimate health matter? What about business class is healthier?

Pregnancy is a tremendous change in the health and well-being of the woman. Business class is roomier. Are you dense?

+1. "How is it a legitimate health matter," WTAF. Let's guess, PP, you are one of those guys that thinks women should be denied access to abortion because "it's no harder than carrying a handbag around and she can just give the baby up for adoption when it's born." Pregnancy is a serious health condition, yes, dumb-dumb. And OP, you are not being a diva to ask about this. I have worked for companies that upgrade travelers at their request because they're "big men" and "need more room," or "sprained their ankle hiking" or whatever lame excuse. Plus if your company is already willing to pay $3K to send you overseas, they can suck up the extra.

Of course pregnancy is a legitimate health condition. But how will being in business class address that health condition? Of course it will be more comfortable, and I personally think the company should spring for it for that reason alone. But the PP said being in business class is necessary to address a health condition, yet no one seems able to explain how exactly it will do that.

Pregnant women are at increased risk of clots, and having your legs cramped up for 8hr vs stretched out for 8hr affects clotting risk tremendously.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would roll my eyes so hard they would pop off my head. Please don't ask. You are not the first pregnant person in the world.

And most pregnant people- well into their third trimesters- are not taking international business trips. To expect her to fly coach with her massive pregnant belly and swollen legs is ridiculous.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would roll my eyes so hard they would pop off my head. Please don't ask. You are not the first pregnant person in the world.

And most pregnant people- well into their third trimesters- are not taking international business trips. To expect her to fly coach with her massive pregnant belly and swollen legs is ridiculous.

Not really. I flew to the MIddle East at 33 weeks. You also have no idea if her pregnancy is "massive", not everyone looks like a cow when they're pregnant. A lot of it is individual. I do think many women make too much of a production out of being pregnant. Again, it's individual. OP should decide how that will fly in her company culture. Would be fine in mine, but everyone flies business class for any flight over 10 hrs, so asking for this for an 8 hr flight would not be an issue.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:Our policy is business class for anything over 6 hours.

I’d totally ask.

This should be the policy for anyone. I would not travel for work in coach for a flight over 6 hours.

Im pretty sure this is the fed rule but it may be just the level beyond coach- Idk if that is business but I do remember reading something about that in our contractor manual on travel.

Granted it has been a few years but I am a fed and there's a strict no upgrade policy in my agency. I routinely flew 30 hours in coach. One of those legs was 14 hours a middle seat. Next to a woman holding a 2 year old.

As to OP, I would first see what the doctor says. And IF she must go, ask for upgrade, assuming it's consistent with company culture (do people ever get upgrades?). But honestly, I would not want to fly to Europe at 31 weeks pregnant,

Interesting. I work for a contractor and a 6 hour + flight allows for economy plus. We arent a fancy contractor either.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would roll my eyes so hard they would pop off my head. Please don't ask. You are not the first pregnant person in the world.

And most pregnant people- well into their third trimesters- are not taking international business trips. To expect her to fly coach with her massive pregnant belly and swollen legs is ridiculous.

Not really. I flew to the MIddle East at 33 weeks. You also have no idea if her pregnancy is "massive", not everyone looks like a cow when they're pregnant. A lot of it is individual. I do think many women make too much of a production out of being pregnant. Again, it's individual. OP should decide how that will fly in her company culture. Would be fine in mine, but everyone flies business class for any flight over 10 hrs, so asking for this for an 8 hr flight would not be an issue.

Congratulations! Count your blessing. Some of us had real (and lasting!) physiological changes to our bodies from pregnancy. Some of us are short-waisted and short- the only option is out. Increased pressure on bladder, pelvic floor, diaphragm. I dont think I could hold my bladder for over an hour seated due to the pressure which is how long it would take for takeoff. I had horrible swelling in my lower legs. I am a normal size 8 and I couldnt fit a 9WW in my last month of pregnancy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would be worried about blood clots in the legs.

Yes that is the real danger and flying business class won’t change that

Much more leg room and ability to stand up in business class. Both are helpful for preventing DVT.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:It’s a legitimate health matter and that’s a long flight. I’m sorry you even entertain the notion of being considered a “diva” for being concerned about your physical well-being on a long-haul flight at 31 weeks pregnant. I would ask.

How is it a legitimate health matter? What about business class is healthier?

Pregnancy is a tremendous change in the health and well-being of the woman. Business class is roomier. Are you dense?

+1. "How is it a legitimate health matter," WTAF. Let's guess, PP, you are one of those guys that thinks women should be denied access to abortion because "it's no harder than carrying a handbag around and she can just give the baby up for adoption when it's born." Pregnancy is a serious health condition, yes, dumb-dumb. And OP, you are not being a diva to ask about this. I have worked for companies that upgrade travelers at their request because they're "big men" and "need more room," or "sprained their ankle hiking" or whatever lame excuse. Plus if your company is already willing to pay $3K to send you overseas, they can suck up the extra.

Of course pregnancy is a legitimate health condition. But how will being in business class address that health condition? Of course it will be more comfortable, and I personally think the company should spring for it for that reason alone. But the PP said being in business class is necessary to address a health condition, yet no one seems able to explain how exactly it will do that.

Pregnant women are at increased risk of clots, and having your legs cramped up for 8hr vs stretched out for 8hr affects clotting risk tremendously.

No it really doesn't. The issue is being seated for that long, regardless of whether your knees are bent at a 90 degree angle or a 110 degree angle. In either circumstance, OP should get up and move.
Economy v. Business, is about comfort not medical risk.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
I would not fly at 31 weeks of pregnancy, given that I gave birth prematurely at 32 weeks! Even if you don't have that risk, there is an overall increased risk of blood clots, which will not be alleviated by a business class seat.

I went on my 10 day babymoon at 29 weeks. Though, I did fly first class. Anyway, not unreasonable to travel at that stage in a healthy pregnancy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our policy is business class for anything over 6 hours.

I’d totally ask.

This should be the policy for anyone. I would not travel for work in coach for a flight over 6 hours.

Im pretty sure this is the fed rule but it may be just the level beyond coach- Idk if that is business but I do remember reading something about that in our contractor manual on travel.

I'd like to hear where this is the Fed/USG rule. Not since like the late '00's.

[Anonymous]

OP, the strategic way to handle this is to initially tell them that you don't want to go because you're worried about premature birth while overseas. Also, you'll need to talk to your doctor about whether you'll be able to travel, so you're not sure yet if you can even commit to it.

At this point, they will either assign someone else to go or they will encourage you to talk to the doctor because they REALLY NEED you to go to Europe.

If the latter option arises, that's when you ask for business class. You create a situation where you are doing them a favor (going on international travel in 3rd trimester against your initial wishes) and in return they feel obligated to do you a favor (pay for the business class roundtrip ticket).

[Anonymous]

My water spontaneously broke at 32 weeks.

I would not be going on that trip

[Anonymous]

Just use your own money/points to upgrade.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just use your own money/points to upgrade.

Why should she pay for her own accomodations on a work trip she is being made to go on? OP, the only answer is to just get a letter from your OB saying not to travel in your third trimester more than a 2 hour drive from your hospital.