How far along can I fly? My grandparents are not doing well and my dad feels like we are coming up on our last chance to say goodbye. We've known it was coming at some point, at least for my grandma, but they are both to the point where they are facing serious "quality of life" decisions and do not have the will to keep pressing on. I will be 25 weeks pregnant when my dad is flying out (domestic 1 1/2 hour flight) in January. I am pretty sure that's still safe to fly, but I'm wondering what the cutoff point is. I want to fly out to spend some time with them while they're still with us, but when they pass, I would also like to be there for the services, whenever that will be.
It varies by airlines, so you will need to call and ask for an exact answer. I am actually flying today at 31 weeks. Most airlines will let you fly up to the 8th month without a doctors note. After that it get a bit tricky!
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"Go slowly, breathe and smile" Thich Nhat Hanh
Sorry to hear about your grandparents.
I flew at 25 weeks and when I checked the BA website for regulations I belive it was somthing like 37 weeks I can't remember exactly but I remember being surprised at how far along it actually was
Thanks for the replies. I probably wouldn't be comfortable flying after 36 weeks since my dd was early, but it's nice to know that it's a possibility to fly up until about the last month. I think if I can at least be there for a few days in January when they are still with us, I'll be okay if I have to miss the services if they pass, even though I'd like to be there.
Generally airlines don't like people giving birth. It really messes up the schedules
Some people also avoid flying in the first trimester because of worries as to what the airplane air and the slightly increased exposure to radiation might do. (Neither of which have been shown to have any bad effect on your baby).
My concern would be that I wouldn't want to go into labor on the plane nor out of town. That's why I'm not comfortable flying after 36 weeks and want to stay close to home. I called my doctor's office and she said the cutoff is 32 weeks, although I didn't ask why.
jm, I hope everything works out, sorry to hear about your parents health. I've heard they don't recommend it in the last trimester and I think I also heard it not recommended for the first trimester either...anyone know for sure, I'm 5 weeks pregnant and my sister wants us to take a flight to Arizona soon and is trying to convince me but I'm not sure if it's what do they recommend. I have a Dr appointment next week and will ask but wanted to hear if anyone else had any feedback.
My doctor banned my flying after 20 weeks. This is his standard practice for his office. I think it's soon, but I will certainly do what he wishes. I would call yours and ask him what he recommends for your pregancy.
kdiez, what was the reasoning for the 20 week cutoff? I'm just curious. My doctor's cutoff is 32 weeks. I'll be flying at 25 weeks and that will be it for me, my last chance to say goodbye. I won't make it out for the services if it comes to that in the next several months. I'm glad to be going in January when they are still with us (hopefully they still will be in a week and a half). I convinced my sister to go and she also convinced my mom to go. My sister hasn't been out to visit them in a while and I think she would feel guilty if she doesn't go now. My mom should be there to support my dad and I'm glad my sister was able to convince her of that. My husband wanted to go too, but he doesn't have much time off and needs to save it for when the baby is born; he also needs to take care of my daughter, not to mention we don't have the money for all 3 of us to fly right now. It should be an interesting "family" trip.
I just got back from flying at 31 weeks. It was fine. No one said anything. It was just a bit uncomfortable on my back. That and my tray wouldn't come down all the way for my drink because of my big old belly!!
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"Go slowly, breathe and smile" Thich Nhat Hanh
Out of curiousity, for any of you who've flown while visibly pregnant, did you get any kind of upgrade offered to you, or did you just fly regular economy class? I'll be flying to a friend's wedding in St. John in late March/early April, at which point I'll be about 26 weeks and I was secretly hoping that even though I'll be buying a regular ticket, I could somehow wangle my way into business or first class....
Out of curiousity, for any of you who've flown while visibly pregnant, did you get any kind of upgrade offered to you, or did you just fly regular economy class? I'll be flying to a friend's wedding in St. John in late March/early April, at which point I'll be about 26 weeks and I was secretly hoping that even though I'll be buying a regular ticket, I could somehow wangle my way into business or first class....
I work part time as a travel agent and I'll tell you this much. There is no guarentee that because you're preggers you'll get a better seat. I just flew yesterday and I couldn't even get my seat changed from an aisle to a window. Call your airline and tell them your situation. See if they can put in a request in their computer system for you to sit in a bulkhead seat. Those are the ones with the wall infront of them. It will at least give you more leg room. You can always try once you get to the airport check in and again at the gate to see if first class has an opening. They may take some pity on you, (try to look really pathetic) but I wouldn't count on it
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"Go slowly, breathe and smile" Thich Nhat Hanh
I work part time as a travel agent and I'll tell you this much. There is no guarentee that because you're preggers you'll get a better seat. I just flew yesterday and I couldn't even get my seat changed from an aisle to a window. Call your airline and tell them your situation. See if they can put in a request in their computer system for you to sit in a bulkhead seat. Those are the ones with the wall infront of them. It will at least give you more leg room. You can always try once you get to the airport check in and again at the gate to see if first class has an opening. They may take some pity on you, (try to look really pathetic) but I wouldn't count on it
Thanks Kierra...I'm definitely going for the pathetic oooh-poor-me look...maybe limp a bit too. Anything for a better seat!!
Does anyone know if there is any harm to the baby if you fly after a certain point? I'm sure the underlying reason is going into labor on the plane. My grandpa took a turn for the worse yesterday and we may not be flying out to say our last goodbyes, our trip may be post-poned for the funeral instead. My doctor's cutoff is 32 weeks, but I'm wondering if there is harm to the baby after that, or if perhaps I could get an exception if need be. I'll ask my doctor, but I was wondering if anyone here might know.
jmcummins3,
I have no idea why 20 weeks is his cut off for flying. I really think it's early, but he must have had some patients experience issues. since I only had one place to travel (at 16 weeks) it really hasn't bothered me too much. I had a lot of back pain during the flight, so I'd rather stay home anyways. But, everyone is different, just like every doctor. I live in Orlando, FL so i'm guessing the people around here travel quite a bit (we go everywhere else to get away from tourists -hee hee). He must not want anything to happen when he can't be close. This is also a doctor that wants me to drink a GALLON of water a day and not just 64 oz. that I've read about.
If your doctor is okay and doesn't think there's any reason not to, I'd say have at it. Just remember to drink a TON of WATER and get up and move every hour of your flight. This will keep your circulation moving.
