Flying When Pregnant?

My only sister is getting married in April in AZ. We live in MA. I knew that it was cutting it close, but I would be able to fly- I will be about 30 weeks.

Earlier this week, I found out that we were having twins. I was very excited and I felt blessed, but I was almost sure that it would mean missing the wedding.

Yesterday at the OB visit, the OB said that I could still go provided that there were no complications/extenuating circumstances. I do completely understand that complications and bedrest are MORE likely with two, but if I can go, I would love to.

Are there different rules for ladies flying pregnant with twins vs singletons? As thrilled as I am, I am in disbelief that I can still go.

TIA.

 

I don't think there are different rules regarding flying for twins vs. singletons, but every pregnancy is different. My doctor did not want me traveling in my 3rd trimester. He wanted to me to be close to the hospital in case anything happened. I had a healthy pregnancy and no complications. I would talk to your doctor about it and wait and see what happens and I imagine every doctor might have a different answer. Isn't there such a thing as travel insurance? I think we purchased that for a trip 4 or 5 years ago and it was pretty cheap and you would get your money back if you have to cancel at the last minute.

 

Your biggest issue (aside from having pg-related issues, of course) is likely going to be the airline that you're flying with. Make sure you find out ahead of time what their requirements are. Some will not let you fly later in your 3rd tri, and especially if you're carrying multiples.

I'm jealous you're allowed to fly, though (but we have different complications). I'm really missing my sister

 

QUOTE(KJS @ Feb 6 2009, 07:59 AM) [snapback]1178349[/snapback]
I don't think there are different rules regarding flying for twins vs. singletons, but every pregnancy is different. My doctor did not want me traveling in my 3rd trimester. He wanted to me to be close to the hospital in case anything happened. I had a healthy pregnancy and no complications. I would talk to your doctor about it and wait and see what happens and I imagine every doctor might have a different answer. Isn't there such a thing as travel insurance? I think we purchased that for a trip 4 or 5 years ago and it was pretty cheap and you would get your money back if you have to cancel at the last minute.


Yes, thank you for reminding me of this- we are probably going to use travel miles, and before I bought anything, I would ABSOLUTELY want to know if I could get a refund if we had to cancel.

My OB had said before that I could travel up to 34 weeks. We were planning to stay about a week- fly in on Thursday, wedding on Sat, fly back Wed (DH's aunt and uncle also live in AZ). In light of this new revelation, I am thinking we ought to cut the trip a little short.

 

I wasn't allowed to fly after 20 weeks, but we had complications. I hope you have a very uneventful rest of your pregnancy so you can go! As a side note: I felt miserable at 30 weeks, but would have endured anything to see my sister get married. Just know going into it that you'll be uncomfortable!

 

My doctor said no flying after 26 weeks, and she also said with twins alot of the airlines wont let you fly after 24 weeks. Im not sure how true that is. She said alot of stuff can happen in the air while flying with multiples

 

I'm 23 weeks along and just asked my doctor the same thing the other day. I live in MI and I'm seeing a close girlfriend in TX in 2 weeks. I've had complications (iin the 1st tri) but he told me to get the insurance in case I needed to cancel. He had me make an appointment with him a day or two before I fly to make sure. He also said to get wheel chair assistance (depending how big the airport is) or get there in plenty of time to take breaks during the walk to gates etc. He said bring plenty of snacks for the ride & buy plenty of water just in case the flight is bumpy and they don't bring out the beverage cart....

Have a great trip!!! :woohoo: :yahoo:

 

I would try to make it. I missed both my brother's and cousin's wedding because of my twin pregnancy. I was on bedrest from 24 weeks on. Stay super hydrated on the plane and buy the insurance just in case. I felt great the day my Dr. put me on bedrest.

 

That's a long way to travel for that late in a twin pregnancy. I was on bedrest by then, but even if I wouldn't have been, I was way too uncomfortable at that point to do any kind of traveling.

 

I didn't have any complications, but I don't think I would have been up for a week away at 30 weeks. I was just too uncomfortable and tired by then. For what it's worth, both my OB and perinatologist advised no airline travel after 26 weeks when pregnant with twins.

 

I wouldn't go, but it's between you and your OB. By the time I was 30 weeks I was confined to the couch (with bathroom trips) -- no way I would have been able to travel. I could barely stand up for 5 minutes. It's not just the flying, it's all the other stuff -- walking across the airport, carrying things, unfamiliar sleeping arrangements, etc. Travel puts a lot of strain on your body.

 

My peri said no travelling more than 1 hour away once I measured 24 on the fundal height - I did not have complications. He said once your uterus is that size - you are more like to have irritability which could start PTL.

 

Thank you for the insight, everyone. My OB has her own set of twins, so she has BTDT with the whole twin pregnancy thing... but I had a feeling that there was more to the story than absolutely being able to go.

I'll take it one day at a time, and see what happens. I'll try not to get too optimistic, and I'll see what the airlines say and what happens to my body in the next couple of months.

 

I wouldn't go either. I had my first in May 2007 and had a textbook singleton pregnancy. I never had any complications, but my doctor told me no flying after 28 weeks. It may be one of those things that varies by doctor, but maybe get a second opinion.

 

I wouldn't go ... I had a very easy pregnancy, flew to Europe and back at 24-26 weeks and we were planning to go to New Mexico at 28 weeks just for 5 days, but I couldn't bear the idea (we were planning taking our oldest, then only child). I made it through 38 weeks, but the thought of travelling ... no thanks!

Also you may have a chance of ending up there, not being able to travel back home. One girl I know went to Europe (from HK) for Xmas, had a shortened cervix at 20 weeks and has now been in Europe on bed rest fighting for these babies lives, she's 25 weeks now. Completely effaced, cerclage , gone into labor twice. She won't be able to travel until the babies are large enough to make the journey. She's doing an amazing job staying pregnant and luckily her parents are there.

 

i ended up on bedrest at 25 weeks, but before that I had asked my peri if we could drive from LA to phoenix for Thanksgiving (I would have been 31 weeks i think) - she said no.

 

All doctors are different. My doc had told me I could fly until mid February which would put me at 30 weeks. My job involves a lot of flying so we talked about flying alot; for 1st and 2nd tri, I flew almost 2-3 weeks per month. My boss wanted me to stop flying beginning of February as did I. I completed my last trip last week to Florida (2 hr flight) and I have to say, it was really tough on me at 27 weeks. I was by myself but it really wore me out and I was a bit uncomfortable in the seat (even in first class). I would take it day by day and see how you feel. This is just my experience but I really don't think I could tolerate any more flights this pregnancy. Good Luck!

 

If you do decide to fly I would make sure you get travel insurance. I am 21 weeks and we just got back from Florida. I had a bad bleed and was diagnosed with placenta previa a week before our trip and almost had to cancel it. It was touch and go until he finally cleared me two days beforehand.

 

QUOTE(mommymeg @ Feb 6 2009, 07:18 AM) [snapback]1178367[/snapback]
I wasn't allowed to fly after 20 weeks, but we had complications. I hope you have a very uneventful rest of your pregnancy so you can go! As a side note: I felt miserable at 30 weeks, but would have endured anything to see my sister get married. Just know going into it that you'll be uncomfortable!


My doctor also said no flying after 20 weeks and I didn't have any complications then. His concern was that it is so close to the viability milestone that it shouldn't be risked.

 

I have 2 sisters, and my younger sister was getting married while I was pregnant - get this in the Virgin Islands, the whole family went for a 10 day vacation around her wedding. I was 27 weeks pregnant and didn't go. Even before asking my ob about it, my dh and I had already decided we wouldn't go once we found out we were pregnant with twins. We went thru so much to get pregnant and didn't want to risk anything. I was a little sad that I missed her wedding, but I got over it.

 

Well, my parents (doctor dad nurse mom) have said that I really should not go, so whether I am fit as a fiddle and waddle my way onto the airplane or not, I will be sitting this one out. After hearing your experiences with twin pregnancies, I am inclined to agree that this is the best decision for the babies.

Now I am off to see if David's Bridal will let me return my bridesmaid dress. I got it on Jan 25 and found out I was having twins on Feb 3rd.

Thank you for sharing your personal traveling (or not traveling) experiences with me.