Travel at 34 weeks

[laur1020]

Before you book a flight, check the airline's policy about flying while pregnant. I've heard different airlines have different policies and might not let you on the plane if they feel you might be at risk.

I am not traveling in the third trimester. I just don't feel comfortable with it. DH and I travelled a lot since the beginning of my pregnancy, so I'm just over it! Lol our last trip was just a few weeks ago and I was nervous flying then at 23/24 weeks. But that's just me and I worry.

[flyinghorses6]

I would LOVE to get out of this snow and head down to FL. I do not think you will be that uncomfortable and you will enjoy time down in the sunshine. I am not really a big worrier, because I find that most things you worry about don't happen anyway. But I would consider/plan for the worst. Which would be you going into labor down there? See how you feel about that. How does DH/SO feel about you going? If you don't want to go 100% then I would try and just make plans around home. You definitely wont enjoy worrying the entire time.

[Ee]

I won't be traveling in third tri, except a 2 hour car trip for my baby shower. My MW advised me that travel doesn't concern her so much as a safety risk per se as long as I'm not going anywhere that I wouldn't be able to get decent medical care if I went into labor, but more that I should be careful to consider the what-if, worst-case scenario and decide how I feel about taking the risk, even if it's small.

At the end of the day, I have put a lot of thought and care into arranging a birth plan and care providers that I feel good with, and I would feel really scared and uncomfortable going into labor away from my doula and my midwives, away from my own home and in an unfamiliar hospital. YMMV!!

[tdart14]

I would defiantly check with both your doctor and the airline. I personally wouldn't make that kind of trip at 34 weeks. I would drive a few hours no problem at that point but not fly out of state.

[tdart14]

Feb 7, 2015 9:26:38 GMT -5 norsern said:

Ditto laur1020 - check with the airline on their policy. Also check with your insurance. With DD if I would have travelled more than 2 hours away after so many weeks and delivered elsewhere my insurance co would have denied payment. I cant remember what the cutoff was though.

Ah, insurance! That's a good point!

[staccajaye]

I'm flying from Toronto Canada to Perth West Australia at 30 weeks (one way)
That's a 31hr trip. The airline requires my dr to write a note to clear me to fly, which he is doing on Monday, and my travel insurance covers me also as I've had no complications.
Just do your research on airline and insurance policies

[t1green]

I would seriously check with your doctor before checking with anyone else. I know you said that you're low risk and all but it couldn't hurt to put in that one phone call. Then check with the airline on their policy because you may need a doctor's note.

[Deleted]

Ive traveled in the third trimester before. It was actually outside of the country. As long as your doctor says your okay then I say go! It would be nice to do one more trip with your first before your next.

[grapefruits]

My doctor gave me cutoffs of 28 weeks for international and 32 weeks for domestic air travel.

[nd38]

I live 14 hours away from family and my sisters really wanted to throw me a baby shower. My doctor was not very comfortable with me flying around the 32 week mark when you would normally have a shower. I too have had zero complications (thankfully)!! She talked about the change in cabin pressure and blood clots would be more likely to occur that late in pregnancy while flying. There may not be a doctor on board your flight if something were to go wrong. Definitely check with your doctor before booking your tickets.

[Poppy]

I'm not allowed to travel even now. MFM asked that I not go any further than Seattle which is a couple hours. He said he wants me near a major hospital with a NICU from here on our. Obviously my situation is different.

I'd ask your doctor and check the airlines. I think it would be nice to get away before baby comes.

[Poppy]

Feb 7, 2015 11:51:56 GMT -5 alwayslastzz said:

Feb 7, 2015 11:23:02 GMT -5 Poppy said:

I'm not allowed to travel even now. MFM asked that I not go any further than Seattle which is a couple hours. He said he wants me near a major hospital with a NICU from here on our. Obviously my situation is different.

I'd ask your doctor and check the airlines. I think it would be nice to get away before baby comes.

Seattle? Poppy is close to me?! Where?!

I'm in a suburb of Portland. I'm not far away at all.

[queenrichie]

My sister in law wants me to drive to Seattle with her for the weekend when I'm at 34 weeks. It's only a couple hours away, but my DH doesn't think it's a good idea to leave the country when I'm that far along. I will be listening to my DH!

[ellabb043]

My best friend is getting married 18 hours away when I will be 36 weeks pregnant and I'm here matron of honor. I talked at length to my midwife about it yesterday. As long as there are no complications between now and then and I am not showing any signs of early labor then I am fine. She said that we would be in a major metropolitan area with a hospital and it shouldn't be of too much concern. She is giving me the okay to travel and all my pregnancy medical records to take with me just in case but I'm honestly not that worried. I was overdue with DD by a few days and the traveling will be a month before my due date.

[sunshinedaisies]

Hmmm...I seem to be in the minority here - I will be flying at 32 weeks back home for my spring break for a visit with DH and my shower (back home). But - I am comfortable knowing that if something happened, I'm not in a strange city, I'm in my hometown with tons of good hospitals nearby and of course where DH, his family, and my family all live.

That means I will also be flying back to school at 33 weeks. I plan on sitting in an aisle seat and getting up a few times to stretch and walk.

[CTri17]

Check with the airline, get a note from your doc,and a copy of your basic records to take with you just in case you need tobe checked out. I flew then for my grandpa before he passed, those were the steps I took /with my mw

[queenrichie]

Feb 7, 2015 12:28:54 GMT -5 alwayslastzz said:

Feb 7, 2015 12:16:37 GMT -5 queenrichie said:

My sister in law wants me to drive to Seattle with her for the weekend when I'm at 34 weeks. It's only a couple hours away, but my DH doesn't think it's a good idea to leave the country when I'm that far along. I will be listening to my DH!

You're close to Seattle too?!

Yeah I'm quite close. I go down shopping to Seattle often. I'm from Vancouver BC which is pretty much like the Canadian version on Seattle. Lots of rain and a Starbucks on every corner.

[mpiemont]

Personally, 34 weeks is sort of right on that cusp of where I'd feel comfortable doing any travel that involved flying. The latest I've gone out of town was right at 37 weeks with DS1 and we were a 2 hour car ride from home. It was right around that same time/distance for DS2 as well. I would echo what PPs have said about checking with your dr/midwife and the airline. I think laying on the beach and relaxing sounds amazing at 34 weeks, but I'd want to be sure the traveling to get to that point was safe for me & baby.

[Deleted]

I will not be traveling during the 3rd tri.  The last weekend I am willing to travel is when I am 32wk.  In actuality, we are traveling next weekend when I turn 28wk and I will not be traveling after that.  This is my 3rd pg but my 2nd ended up being a late term preemie so I'm just not going to chance it.  The furthest I will travel will be an hour away (after next weekend) and that will only be for any of DS2 specialist appointments (only 1 appt at this time).

[queenrichie]

Feb 7, 2015 13:20:12 GMT -5 alwayslastzz said:

Feb 7, 2015 13:16:19 GMT -5 queenrichie said:

Yeah I'm quite close. I go down shopping to Seattle often. I'm from Vancouver BC which is pretty much like the Canadian version on Seattle. Lots of rain and a Starbucks on every corner.

Do you need a passport to cross the boarder? I'm an idiot. I've been close to the boarder and see signs for Vancouver! But I've obviously never been. It's only like 3 hours!

Yes you do need a passport to cross! However my brother just shows his military licence and they let him through with just that.
You should check it out! It is quite beautiful in some areas, but things are more expensive. Our Canadian dollar is low right now though, so you might benefit from that!

[queenrichie]

Feb 7, 2015 13:36:56 GMT -5 @blackpearl08 said:

Feb 7, 2015 12:16:37 GMT -5 queenrichie said:

My sister in law wants me to drive to Seattle with her for the weekend when I'm at 34 weeks. It's only a couple hours away, but my DH doesn't think it's a good idea to leave the country when I'm that far along. I will be listening to my DH!

Given the different cost structures of our healthcare systems, I would stay at home in your shoes queenrichie.

Totally!! That's exactly what my DH was worried about!

[mayflowers]

My doctor said 36 weeks is the cut off but to get up and walk around for 10-15 min every hour and stretch my legs while sitting. Can't hurt to call your office and ask.

[lexisophie55]

I traveled this week and was not uncomfortable.

We are planning a trip to Florida from msp in march. My husband, son and I will be going. Physically, I know I'll be fine, so I'm excited.

I sat go for it, assuming your doctor says it is okay.

[JustinBobby]

I'm going to Florida next week I'll be 28 weeks. I've already cleared it with my Doctor once and I have an appointment with him next week the day before I leave so I'll be checking again.
However I probably would be too uncomfortable at 34 weeks, maneuvering the airport and lifting luggage is not easy now, I'd imagine it would be harder at 34 weeks.