Is flying too uncomfortable at 30 weeks?

L

Liquorice

Registered User
Planning a last holiday before I am due in November. We are thinking of going to a beach somewhere in late September when I will be 29/30 weeks pregnant.

I know I will be very big by then but can I still enjoy a holiday or will I be too uncomfortable?
 
I think the trip will be worth it. I started getting uncomfortable at that time, but I would recommend a holiday before baby comes. However, it's very personal about comfort. We travelled at 28 weeks and then when my baby was 9 weeks old. You will be just uncomfortable if the plane trip is too long, so go somewhere close :) Thailand is nice!
 
i traveled on an airplane at 22 weeks and it was very uncomfortable. i am flying again at 28 - i can only imagine it will be even worse.

like banane76 said above, hopefully it's close by or you are in business class!

m.
 
back when dinosaurs roamed the earth and i was pg with #1, i went to vietnam with dh for a final fling. i was 33 weeks. it was fantastic. no regrets!
 
It all depends on you. I flew to Phuket at 34 weeks, no problem....make sure you get a doc note if you are planning to fly from 32-35 weeks...

enjoy...
 
i'd say it COMPLETELY depends on how your pregnancy is going and the 'shape' that you are in. i flew to maui (15 hour flight each way, baby!) at 33 weeks with a broken toe and it was fine! after about 10 hours i became quite antsy but it was manageable. totally did not regret the decision - the holiday itself made it worthwhile. i was also working out at the gym 3-4x a week up to the very end of my pregnancy, so i suppose i was in fairly 'good shape' and feeling good, up to the end. so as other ladies have said, it really ALL depends on YOU.
 
Okay, sounds like a plan then. Will book it.

Zac08, I am trying to exercise regularly also. Did you do strength training at the gym when you were pregnant, cardio or both? Weight lifting is fine throughout pregnancy isn't it (I don't lift anything heavy..., just for toning)?
 
Liquorice said:
Planning a last holiday before I am due in November. We are thinking of going to a beach somewhere in late September when I will be 29/30 weeks pregnant.

I know I will be very big by then but can I still enjoy a holiday or will I be too uncomfortable?
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It's hard to say what your personal experience will be. My son's due date and actual birthdate are in November and I made a flight at 29 weeks back to the US and at that time I was very uncomfortable. My belly barely slid behind the meal tray in the airplane seat. My legs swelled up and I felt a lot of back pain from sitting on the plane. But...if you are going to a beach nearby where the trip is only a couple hour flight and especially if you have the means to get a business class seat and you are just going to take it easy on a beach and don't have to worry about layovers and luggage that much, then you'll probably be fine. I do not recommend long trips that late in your pregnancy even if you're cleared to fly by your doctor because it really can be extremely uncomfortable.
 
both but mainly cardio - about 50 min on the xtrainer or bike. wore a belt to make sure my heart rate stayed below 150bpm. with weights i kept it light and repetitive. it really saved me, the exercise! both my babies were born quickly (was only in labor 5-6 hours with both of my boys).
 
Yes varies by pregnancy but I would also highly recommend it. After the bub is born will be a while before you get some great one on one time with the hubby. I traveled to Greece at 32 weeks and didn't have too much issue, though be sure you have that doctor's note ready. I lost my note on vacation and the airline almost didn't let me back on the plane!
 
I flew at 26 weeks, pregnant with twins (30 weeks with my singleton, also last flight). Luckily I was in business, both were transatlantic, but I was flying by myself with a toddler. It was the last flight I made. I wasn't really into flying anywhere. Also you have to realize (and make sure you're medically / financially covered) that you could be going into preterm labor while at your destination, and you may get stuck there for quite some time. It depends on your pregnancy, previous pregnancies, but there are no guarantees. So take it into consideration, and think about the care at your destination, and if that meets your requirements.
 
depends on how big you are. i flew transatlantic at 22 weeks and it was very uncomcomfortable as our baby is quite big. was in economy with my 28 month yr old too. i will fly back to asia at 28 weeks and can only imagine it will be worse. yes, make sure you've got your doctor's note, stockings and make sure you hydrate yourself throughout the flight. if you are on a long flight, i would try and do business class.

If it's a short flight - maybe worth it, but as it's so close to delivery I would tend to only travel to major cities with good healthcare in case of any emergencies.
 
I am in my 30th week and just arrived from a holiday last night. It was a 2 hour flight and I felt fine. The trick is to get up, walk around and drink plenty of water.

I would highly recommend a holiday before the baby is born because it might take a while before you can travel if you wait until after the birth.
 
Just remember if you are going for more than 7 days to see if you will need another doctors letter before returning. I had one before departure out of HK and then had issues trying to get back a week and a half later because my letter was more than 7 days old. I did get on the flight but it was a bit stressful at the time. Check with the airline on the specifics of their policy.
 
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I took a 10 hour flight at 32 weeks and didn't find it any more comfortable than usual. But everyone is different. I agree it's worth it.
 
I've done 21 flights since I have been pregnant. My last one was in my 36th week. It was only 3.5 hrs, in biz class and yes it was uncomfortable but not impossible.

I also did 13hrs at just over 32 weeks (also biz class). Flight was fine, but I did sleep a lot in the next 2 days due to dehydration.

I had notes for all my flights from 28 weeks on...and was NEVER asked for one. Even at 36 weeks, visibly pregnant - no one said a word to me.

I second the comment a pp made regarding being prepared to deliver somewhere else. Make sure you know your options and your obstacles...hospital, level of medical care, emergency passports, etc.
 
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