Is flying REALLY ok in pregnancy? Even if you're geriatric?! 🤣

[AuroraXen]

Ladies, I know flying is generally deemed perfectly safe in pregnancy, and the 2nd trimester (I'm now just over 17 weeks) is supposed to be the 'safest'. But I'm stressing a bit!

My job entails quite a bit of travel. Always within Europe, so flights are typically 1.5-2 hours, no more. No long transatlantic flights or anything. I did lots of flying in October, before I knew I was pregnant, and quite a bit in Nov when I was still quite early on... I must have done 16 separate flights in those 2 months (as some trips are 4 flights, not everywhere is easy to get to from my regional airport!). Well, I haven't done any travel since mid November but I do have a few trips scheduled in for Jan, Feb and March. By the end of March I'll be nearly 28 weeks, so was planning to give up the flying then.

The tips I have planned are not major ones really - one 1-night stay this month, same next month plus a 3 night trip, then one 4 night trip to Berlin in early March. Compared to my usual trips, these are all pretty easy ones - by which I mean, I won't have to present or chair or lead the meetings! So no real stress, but I really should be there.

My understanding is that as long as you aren't having issues (bleeding, high blood pressure, etc), the guidance says flying is fine, that changes in air pressure etc won't affect the baby. So I was ok about all this, and my only precautions were thinking I'd take my midwife notes, and note the nearest hospitals to where I'd be, in case of any concerns whilst there. But my family really stressed me out this weekend 🙄😭 advising me I shouldn't be travelling in my condition etc. I asked my midwife previously and she said it's fine, as though I'm high risk on age alone (recently turned 42), touch wood everything seems normal otherwise. But all this concern has me wondering - has anyone ever been advised NOT to fly just because of age alone??

[Hidden]

I am 42 and haven't travelled extensively, but took a flight at 28 weeks.

My only concern was being close to a decent hospital rather than the flight itself....

I had to have a fit to fly letter that my midwife filled out from the airline. But nobody asked me for it at the airport.

Xxx

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

I agree. No issues with flying but get a fit to fly letter and find out where nearest hospital is. I flew at 28 weeks aged over 40. 🥰

[AuroraXen in reply to Hidden]

Thank you! I'll definitely get the fit to fly letter if I'm doing any around 28 weeks 👍 And I'll research hospitals where I'm going, just in case! xx

[Positivechangeplease]

No, age in my opinion has nothing to do with it. It’s solely on how risky your pregnancy is (age on it’s own does not present risk in general. Age can make other risks more of a chance but if you have no other issues then you are really low risk) I was extremely annoyed at anyone who pushed risk up due to age alone. My midwife told me I was low risk whilst I presented fine and higher risks for over 40 only comes into play toward the end of your pregnancy.

I went to Madeira in my 24th week, all was fine.

[AuroraXen in reply to Positivechangeplease]

I know! I do get a bit irked by all the high risk stuff, I admit. It DOES stress me out more, just seeing those words 😩 Thank you for your reassurance xx

[Positivechangeplease in reply to AuroraXen]

they’re really short flights too. So you’ll be fine

[Hidden]

I flew at the end of my first trimester. I checked with midwife and she said it’s absolutely fine. I was a bit nervous about turbulence etc but had no issues what so ever. I’d definately fly again if I needed to and then midwife ok’d it.

I’m 39.

[AuroraXen in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for replying. That's the thing, I did so much flying pre week 10, and had no worries at all! It's when someone puts some tiny doubt into my head, I find it just sets up home and grows 😢 How did your scans go? xx

[Hidden in reply to AuroraXen]

have sent you a PM x

[Yannah]

Hello, I am 43 and fly at 33 weeks pregnant. No worries. Age is not a problem, even if some worried docteurs are afraid. Age can just improve to risk that somes problems can come, like hypertension, pre-clampie, but if there is no problems, so no problem.

Enjoy your pregnancy

[AuroraXen in reply to Yannah]

33 weeks, oh wow! That makes me feel better 😘 Thanks so much Yannah

[Missl73]

yup I flew 24 hours each way to australia and back towards the end of the second trimester and it was fine. Just stay hydrated and wear flight socks!

[AuroraXen in reply to Missl73]

Ah that's very reassuring! My relatives are making me paranoid, honestly 😆 It's only because they care, but by questioning 'should you REALLY be doing that?' it makes ME second guess myself 😪 xx

[AuroraXen]

Thanks all, in freezing Paris at the moment and think I've got my head back in the flying game 😆 Actually had some rare downtime this afternoon too, so spent a few hours in the Louvre with a colleague! Maybe a BIT too much walking, was a bit achy (I haven't been exercising nearly enough....) so had a rest and little lie-down earlier. But in the end I wasn't stressed about the actual flying, so that's a relief for me xx