tvavel and pregnant

I think each airline has their policy regarding pregnant women flying.... I think it's generally around 28 weeks.... but have heard sooner. I also travelled with a doctor's note, and the airline looks at it when I check in.

I have flown later than 28 weeks from UK to Sydney (about 32) and you can't get much longer haul than that. It was fine because I was in good health, did not have much fluid retention and carry very small so was not even asked how pregnant I was. Definitely check with your airline, get doctors letter in the few days before you fly and remember if you stay too long in the "holiday" destination you may need to get another doctors certificate to fly back. There was a post about a disasterous trip one Mum had when she tried to fly back from the UK with her other kids and they made her troop around london looking for a doctor to give her a letter (possibly much more stressful than the flight itself).

Mac,

I didn't travel long haul flight, just from Hong Kong to Taiwan and Malaysia. Each airline is different. But I know Malaysian Airline and Cathay cut off point is 34 weeks because I travel to Malaysia at 34 weeks. But you must have a doctor's letter to prove that you are fit to travel. My friend in UK told me that the domestic flight in UK is different. The cut off point is 28 weeks. So it all depends on which airline you are taking and what country you are in.

Really you shouldn't fly at all whilst pregnant, there could be complications and on a long haul flight this could be a problem. If you are lucky enough to be pregnant why risk it!

Hi,

I'm afraid I don't agree with Miss Kitty. You can fly up to 28 weeks pregnant with most airlines. After that you have to have doctors letter to say that you are fit to fly. I flew when I was 29 weeks pregnant from the UK to Hong Kong. It was my second child and everything was fine. The airlines wouldn't take you if there was any risk involved, they don't want to have a birth or complications mid air.

I am a medical Doctor and so is my ex-wife and she traveled by air at eight months (intra-European) and in her third pregnancy in her ninth month (trans-Atlantic). You can deliver the baby on the plane, just don’t expect any privacy.

What about in your first trimester? Would your wife travel then also?

yeah if you are with a doctor then you are allowed to travel...even you are near your due date. Thats what the airline told me once when I enquire, bec I want to travel to Europe and I am pregnant.

I am flying domestically from Darwin to Perth at 28 weeks pregnant and then from Perth to Hong Kong at 31 weeks pregnant. All I need is a doctor's letter saying that I am fit to fly (I am travelling 1st with Qantas & then Cathay). As long as you are in good health and dont have some major complications with your pregnancy, there is no problem.

AS an Obstertician in Beijing. I assesed any preg patient who wished to fly. I gave EVERYBODY that I cleared,a letter although most airlinres only want a note if you are over 28 weeks, but I didnt want a patient at the airport and somebody questioning their dates. Over the years I only saidno two ot three times, as they were starting to dilate. They ALL went to other non obstetrician doctors, got notes and flew.

Many patients ask the question "What is the absolutely last day that I can fly?" rather than "What is the best time to fly?"


For a first or even second pregnancy with no signs of premature labor, no contractions, no bleeding I would let them fly as late as 35 weeks, but some cheated and went later. (The note is usually good for 10 days after the date that it is signed)


For third and beyond I would prefer them to fly before 34 weeks.Twin pregnancies before 32 weeks.


The other question is when can they fly back with the new baby. I have seen mothers return within a week of birth and for the mother that is fine but 12hour flights for a week old baby is kind of tough.

I flew from HK to London with my 5 day old daughter...had to get a Dr's note to say she was okay to fly . All went v. well she slept like a trooper and I breast fed her on take off and landing. Only later did I find out that it was far more of a risk for the Mother who has a high risk of hemorrhaging during such early flights!

Yes there is a risk of bleeding at 5 days on an airplane, there is a risk of bleeding if you are sitting at home. BUT the flight in itself does not increase the risk.

How about in the first trimester of pregnancy..is it ok to travel ?

There is no particular risk in taking single flights except that you are out of touch with medical help for 12-15 hours, if there should be problems.There is some concern about flight crews who fly trans-polar routes every few days in the 1st trimester; the cumulative risk of radiation is a concern.But 1 or 2 t-p flights imposes no risk.

I'm 6 weeks and need to travel to Beijing and then India for work - any reason I shouldn't?

I travelled for work and holiday in my first trimester to Beijing, Shanghai and South Asia as well as other countries, here is my advise:


1. you might be more tired than usual, so schedule time for naps/rests between meetings. plan on taking taxis when you might have walked. if possible, try to have a bag with wheels, rather than something on your shoulder.


2. your stomach is more delicate than normal - so even if you are an adventurous world traveller who has never gotten a stomach bug, you are more likely to get one now - so be extra careful about water (ice, etc...)


3. since you are at a stage where you have not told anyone yet... feel free to tell a 'white lie' - you are just getting over a flu, have an upset stomach or you are on antibiotics so you are a bit tired and cannot drink alcohol.


4. carry snacks on you at all times - just crackers, pretzels or whatever it is you like to snack on. you are only 6 weeks now and might not have any need to snack yet, but in a couple of weeks you might need to snack every couple of hours - not a lot, just enough to settle your tummy. Same thing with water - be sure to drink a lot.


5. due to your hormones, you will also be going to the toilet way more than normal - so always note where they are when you are somewhere new, and always have your tissues with you. BTW, you go less in the 2nd trimester, it is just the 1st and 3rd that it is all the time (really, all the time!)


6. Medicine - there is very little you are allowed to take when you are pregnant - paracetamol (panadol) and CTM (an antihistamine) are two of them - speak with your doctor about what they say is safe, and carry these with you. My biggest mistake was not having anything handy, and not being able to find the 'right' medicine when I needed it. You will probably want tums, and maybe mints with you too.


Also - just in case of emergencies, have your health insurance card with you and know where you migth go if you need to - ie United Family Hospital in Beijing or the SOS Clinic, and somewhere in the places you will be in India.


It might sound like a lot, but it is really just being aware that you are not the super-working-travelling-machine that you were just 2 months ago. So travel, go, have good meetings, a great time and just be aware that you might not be able to 'do it all' like you could before. And be more cautious (but not paranoid).


Safe travels.

Thanks for all the tips!