Flying while pregnant...

[Katie1]

I have had a relatively easy pregnancy, no morning sickness, no aches and pains, etc. I would like to book a weekend away for Labor Day (Sept 2-5), but I am due Sept 24. The destination would be about a three-hour flight.

My questions:
Is it okay to fly this late in pregancy?
If not, why not? Is there something about flying that's dangerous, or is it the concern that you may go into labor early and have the baby on the plane?
Assuming it is okay to fly, am I being naive in thinking that I will enjoy a vacation at that stage of pregnancy? I am just thinking that since I've felt great all along that I probably won't get a lot of the symptoms that women experience in the third trimester, such as swelling.

I will ask my doctor as well, but sometimes I doubt her abillity to see every pregnancy as deifferent. I think she just gives me the same advice she gices everyone, no matter what the circumstances.

[jennylou]

The latest I've heard of preggos being allowed to fly is 36 weeks. Your doctor may okay you to fly after, but make sure to check into airline policy. Most don't want pregnant ladies that far along flying b/c of the fear that they will go into labor.

Maybe a driving trip instead?

[Brady]

I know there was a thread on this on WC about flying that late in preg. and the majority of Dr's had said no to flying that late.. you would be 37 weeks, personally I felt great throughout my pregnancy, but by 37 weeks, while I was not swollen, I was started to get to the stage of being uncomfortable while sleeping (i.e. not sleeping), more tired, etc. So, I would not have enjoyed a vacation at that stage of the game. I flew when I was about 25 weeks along and that was pefect... but that's not what you are looking to hear.

I'm sure others will pipe in with the specifics on why not to fly at that stage, but realize you are full-term at that point and could technically go into labor at any moment, I wouldn't risk a three hour (6 total) plane ride. I would even be nervous with driving anywhere beyond an hour, unless you are okay with possibly not delivering at your own hospital!

Good luck with your decision!

[ce_Kathleen]

My Dr also told me not to fly after 36 weeks. I flew (for work) right up to the limit and now I wish I hadn't. I had no problems during my 1st/2nd trimesters but then I had a lot of work travel in my 3rd and it left me very uncomfortable and I ended up getting major swelling (among other issues) and being on bedrest from 37 weeks until 39 weeks.

I don't want to worry you, b/c everyone is different, but if I had known how my body would react to all the travel stresses I wouldn't have flown so much so late in the game.

Is there any way you could do a smaller/different get away? Maybe book a nice hotel closer to home and just relax at their pool/spa? That would have been nice at that point for me!

Kathleen

[bombedier]

Just echoing the 36 week limit - this is a limit set by the airlines. It was also the same timeframe when I asked my doctor. I travel for work, but the last trip I took was at 29/30 weeks - I did notice some swelling and it was just extremely tiring. I am now 33 weeks and praying that I don't get asked to go anywhere from now on.

[BTB]

There are things about flying that are dangerous, but they're small risks - usually travel is limited late in the third tri because of concerns of complications arising while far from home or, if in the air at the time, far from medical help. It's not so much a worry of starting normal labor on the plane, that's safe and takes at least a couple hours for anything to really start happening (one or two first-time moms around here had 3-hour labors, lucky them!) But there are problems that could arise - say your water breaks, and with the water, out comes a prolapsed cord. That's a life-or-death emergency for your baby, and you don't want that happening on a plane.

What's so dangerous about flying:
1) radiation. The metal of the plane shields out some, but still, flying from New York to Chicago gives the same amount of extra radiation (compared to being on the ground) as one x-ray. Remember, it's full-body exposure. Much more of a concern in the first tri, though.

2) oxygenation. Most commercial airplanes are pressurized to about 8000 feet. Yes, women live and birth at that altitude, but the body adapts to altitude when consistently exposed; it's different for someone that has a sea level hemoglobin composition to suddenly go to that altitude than it is to keep on living there. Fetuses do have Hb configurations that permit easy transfer of oxygen across the placenta, but the closer a baby is to birth, the more closely their Hb composition resembles that of an adult, making it harder for them to get sufficient O2.

3) infection exposure. Ventilation in the cabin turns over just a few times per hour, if anybody sneezes on that plane, you're going to breathe in their germs by the end of the flight.

4) dehydration. Due to very dry cabin air and the stresses of travelling, many people dehydrate on flights, which contributes to...

5) blood clots. Pregnancy is already a hypercoagulable state, add that to sitting in cramped quarters for extended periods and the above dehydration, and you can have yourself a problem.

6) security screening. You might be interested to know that the safety of security screening devices, including metal detectors, while theoretical, has never been tested.

And, as I'm sure you know, due dates are estimates. My baby was born at 37 weeks gestation, this is considered term. You just never know when the little one will show up!

[karlatta]

You may also want to check your insurance coverage. I have a good friend who was not allowed to leave town (even an hour and a half away) after a certain point in her pregnancy, or they would not cover the birth if she happened to go into labor while she was gone. I don't recall exactly what point that was (perhaps 36 weeks?), but it's definitely something to look into.

[Katie1]

Karlatta-
That's a great point- I hadn't thought about that. I remember a few years ago I ended up in the ER on an out-of-state vacation and my insurance wouldn't cover it.

Thanks for everyone's advice. I will look into booking the weekend away either sooner or closer to home.

[Little Angel '77]

Just wondering how pregnant can you be before you can't fly?
Is it a doctor thing? A personal thing? Does it matter?

I want to ttc in April/May, but go to Orlando in January.
I think I might have to push back TTC so I can fly.

[Heather719]

I was told that 28 weeks was the cut off for all airlines. They will not let you fly past that point due to liability issues (essentially they don't want you having the baby on the plane!).

[kaylag]

I just flew home for x-mas and I was 32 weeks. It was a 4 hour flight and I was a bit uncomfortable but, I just got up and walked the aisle when I needed it.

[BTB]

Just wondering how pregnant can you be before you can't fly?
Is it a doctor thing? A personal thing? Does it matter?

It's both. I thought the airlines were pretty lax with rules on this - much more so than cruise ships, which usually cut off somewhere between 24 and 27 weeks. You have to check with your specific airline, but one airline doesn't set a cutoff (so I read back on WC's travel section) while another says you can't fly if you're within a month of your due date.

Most docs would recommend you consider staying close to home as your due date nears, but it's more so that you don't deliver with a doc you don't know and no medical records available, not so much a safety thing. The course of your pregnancy matters a lot - I had a lot of complications, and had to cancel DH's and my "babymoon" during which I'd have been 21-23 weeks because it wasn't safe for me to travel.

Dehydration, stagnant air, and long periods holding still make travel uncomfortable for anybody, but even more so for pregnant women. Planning ahead to beat those three problems as best you can will leave you much happier on your flight.

[Natrat80]

My OB said no travel after after 36 weeks. I flew at 27 weeks pregnant with no trouble at all!

[ce_Kathleen]

with DS I had my last business trip at 35 weeks.

with #2 I just got back from my last trip at 31 weeks.

It is pretty uncomfortable as you get bigger but if you can get first class or the exit row where you will have more room its managable. Oh and if you sit in the window gently tell your seat mate(s) that you will be getting up frequently to stretch and pee!:p

[EJH]

My DP's job required her travel throughout her pregnancy. I think her last trip was at 35 weeks. The OB said that was fine as long as DP was feeling okay. We are in MA and I think her longest trip was the flight to Houston.

[kristine80]

I came across this a few weeks ago on the babycenter website, it's very helpful. Then of course whatever restrictions your OB feels necessary. My OB says no flying pas 32 weeks, but each has their own set of guidelines...


Airline policies for pregnant travelers

You can fly on commercial airlines without restriction during your first and second trimester. During your third trimester you may run into some restrictions. (Airlines rely on an "honor policy," so it's the passenger's decision to notify agents that she's pregnant.) Ticket agents won't mention travel restrictions unless asked, so inquire about them when you book your seat. All airlines recommend you consult your physician before travel at any time during pregnancy. Play it safe by getting a "permission-to-travel" letter from your doctor. You won't — and shouldn't — get one if your pregnancy is considered high-risk. Be sure to take your due date into consideration on the return trip, too. And before you plan a long cross-country flight, remember how you'll feel squeezed into a seat for hours.

Alaska Airlines — 800/426-0333
Domestic: No restrictions
International: No restrictions

American Airlines — 800/433-7300
Domestic:
• Doctor's letter plus clearance by AA Special Assistance Coordinator required if traveling seven days before or seven days after delivery date
• Restrictions based on honor policy
International:
• Doctor's letter required if traveling within 30 days of due date, signed within 48 hours of travel.
• Travel within ten days before or seven days after delivery date requires doctor's letter plus clearance by AA Special Assistance Coordinator

America West — 800/235-9292
Domestic:
• Doctor's letter required if traveling within seven days of due date, signed within 72 hours of travel
• Restrictions based on honor policy
International:
Same restrictions apply

Continental — 800/523-3273 (domestic) 800/231-0856 (int'l)
Domestic:
• Passengers advised to consult a physician if traveling after seventh month
• Doctor's letter required if traveling within seven days of due date
• Travel prohibited if signs of labor exist
International:
Same restrictions apply

Delta Airlines — 800/221-1212
Domestic:
No restrictions
International:
No restrictions

Northwest Airlines — 800/225-2525
Domestic:
• Doctor's letter required if traveling within 30 days of due date, signed within 72 hours of travel, indicating due date and that travel does not pose a health risk
• Travel prohibited if signs of labor exist
• Restrictions based on honor policy
International:
Doctor's letter required after 36th week, signed within 72 hours of travel, indicating due date and that travel does not pose a health risk

Southwest Airlines — 800/435-9792
Domestic:
• No restrictions, but airline strongly recommends against flying after week 38
• Pregnant women may be asked not to sit in the emergency exit row
International:
Domestic flights only

United Airlines — 800/241-6522
Domestic:
• No restrictions during first eight months
• If traveling during ninth month, doctor's letter required in triplicate, signed within 72 hours of travel, indicating due date and that travel doesn't pose a health risk
• Questioning at gate about due date possible
• Restrictions based on honor policy
International:
Same policies apply

US Airways — 800/428-4322
Domestic:
• Doctor's letter required if traveling within seven days of due date, signed within 72 hours of travel, indicating that travel does not pose a health risk
• Restrictions based on honor policy
International:
Same policies apply

HTH! :)

[Phen]

Yeah, we were pretty amused to learn that some airlines refuse to let you fly if you're in labor. Sheesh! ;)

~ phen

[kdotp]

DH and I just went on a trip to London, England, and I flew at 29 weeks (going there) and 30 weeks (coming back). We booked the trip before we got pg and all the doctors I talked to (my OB, my GP, the NP) said flying that late wasn't an issue as long as I felt okay.

It was an 8 hour flight from Chicago O'Hare to Heathrow. We flew British Airways and the gal at the counter in Chicago was able to bump us up to Business class so I had more room and could sleep on the flight there. We weren't able to do the same on the way back, but did have a row to ourselves in Coach, which gave us a little more room. I made sure to drink plenty of water on the flight and tried to get up about once an hour or so to walk to the bathroom and stretch my legs.

[jennylou]

My OB doesn't like air travel after 28 weeks.

[paulisgirl]

I flew from Minneapolis to Houston for NYE at 28 weeks with no problems at all. When I asked my dr. about it he said the FAA has no concerns about pregant women flying up to 35 weeks.

[jesseybell]

My doctor said up to 36 weeks was okay....though I can't imagine being stuck on a plane in that tiny seat that big, but its nice to know if an emergency arose and I needed to fly that I could.

Saying that, my cousin is getting married either in June or July, but I plan on using the pregnancy card even if the wedding is in early June. I am not a lover of flying and even at 7 months I would rather not.

[leftrightrepeat]

My OB said no travel after 36 weeks, which included driving too far away. She wanted to make sure I wasn't too far away from the hospital. I would think you could travel up to 27-28 weeks and be "comfortable". :)

[marchfamily]

I flew at 30 weeks (domestically) with my first pregnancy. Will fly internationally at 25 weeks with this pregnancy. My doctor's only concern was that I drink plenty of water and stretch my legs every hour (leg clots).

Personally, I wouldn't let it hold back TTC.

eta: it took us 12 months to get pg with #1...

[kat]

I took my last flight at around 23-24 weeks (from Chicago to Vegas). My doctor didn't want me to fly after 24 weeks (but I'm pregnant with twins and have had some complications). The flight there was miserable (I think I was measuring around 30-31 weeks at that time) but flying home was much better.

You never know what your pregnancy situation will be (or how long it will take you to get pregnant). If I could do it all over again, I would've just planned my life as if I wasn't going to be pregnant and then made adjustments along the way. I put too much on hold while TTC (a process which ended up taking 18 months).

Good luck!

[Lolly]

We were going to fly from DC to British Columbia this April. I will be 34 weeks then (35w coming back). My doc said if I go just don't tell him. Meaning he really didn't think it would be a great idea flying out of the country (though it is only to BC) and just being so far from home then.

We changed our trip and we're just driving from DC to Montreal instead. I don't think my doc will like that too much either. :rolleyes:

ETA: I did just fly at 20 weeks from Tampa to DC but that's still pretty early enough along so it wasn't uncomfortable.

[neenbean]

I flew to Disney from MA at 33 weeks (I think) and my doc was a little sceptical. We made sure our insurance would cover delivery/medical issues while traveling first.

It worked out great and we had a blast on our last vacation before DD arrived. :D However, I got really bloated that week and it was not very comfortable flying back as we got rerouted and had to take three legs (3 take offs and landings!!!) just to get us back to the northeast (Logan was closed).

I definitely think you should never put off TTC if you both feel ready, unless there are medical or financial reasons. You never know how long things will take.

Eat dessert first!!!!! :D

[mlfallis]

Bumping up to see if anyone else has something to add.

We just found out we were pg and were planning a trip by air for June when I would be 6 months. I know I need to talk to me doctor about it, but I just wanted to hear other opinions.

[JenniferH]

I travel a lot for work and my Dr pretty much said that it was ok as long as I was having an uneventful pregnancy. Once I got into my second trimester, we would discuss possible travel I would have prior to my next appointment at each appointment. I did stop traveling internationally when I hit the 20wk mark, because I couldn't tolerate those long flights. I would be too uncomfortable in the seat for 7 hours. The last time I flew domestically was when I was 33wks. I would always make sure I was really hydrated prior to getting on the flight and would drink a lot of water on the flight and after. I would get bumped up a lot too once you could really tell I was pregnant which was a bonus. I also carried a copy of my medical chart with me just in case.


My husband and I went to the Dominican Republic during my second trimester and we had a great time. It was nice having that time to ourselves.

[Tonysweetie]

I know my doctor wouldn't allow it that late in pregnancy. I went on a flight a few weeks ago at 23/24 weeks and I did okay on the flight it was the rest of the trip I had a problem with. The whole time I was swollen and uncomfterable. But as soon as I got back home I was fine.

[EJH]

DP travels for work and was given permission to fly until 36 weeks. I believe her last trip was around 35 weeks. She was just so uncomfy flying by that point.

[Lisa]

I was told by Delta that they are the only airline that allows you to fly pass 8months with a Dr note. She told me if I was on another airline with or without Dr note I would be allow passed 6 months. I don't know and haven't heard this from anywhere else but thats what I was told. With my DS I flew at 36 weeks I was uncomfortable but worked!

[boilermaker]

I also travelled for work throughout my pg. My dr recommended that I not travel past 34 weeks and my insurance wouldn't cover travel past 36 weeks.

The last time I travelled was mid-Dec, so I guess I was right at 32 weeks. I had no problems, didn't need a dr note (flew both Continental and American in that timeframe), etc. I just made sure to stay hydrated and got up to walk the aisle every hour. Even now, at 37 weeks, I'd feel fine flying if I needed to.

If you are having an uneventful pg, travel really isn't a problem. But you really won't know (and your dr won't either) until you hit that point. You could be fine the week before your trip and then not be able to fly. My advice, plan for the trip but either get refundable tickets or travel insurance...or be prepared to lose the cost of your airfare just in case.

[sem426]

apparently continental lets you fly up; to 1 week before your due date!:eek:

http://www.continental.com/web/en-US/content/travel/specialneeds/pregnancy/default.aspx?SID=EB4D44B125064F1488AEAF1E4A9BFF1C

[Tenny]

When I was pg with DS, my Dr didn't let me fly after 32 weeks and I had a normal pg.


You may also want to check your insurance coverage. I have a good friend who was not allowed to leave town (even an hour and a half away) after a certain point in her pregnancy, or they would not cover the birth if she happened to go into labor while she was gone.

That could me hard in some cities. I live in the suburbs of a large city and can be over an hour just to get to the other side of town!!

[Wrighty26]

I was supposed to go on a business trip when I was 34 weeks pregnant, but it got cancelled. Darn :) Honestly, I was perfectly healthy and able to travel. I wouldn't have had any issues. My Dr. doesn't frown upon travel until you reach 36 weeks. After that, it's a no go.

I did go a trip at 23 weeks and had probably the best flights I've had in a while. I drank lots of water and brought snacks :)

[karlatta]

That could me hard in some cities. I live in the suburbs of a large city and can be over an hour just to get to the other side of town!!
I know! I live in a suburb of Houston, so it's the same for me. Fortunately, I think it's usually done more by distance than time, so even if you're two hours away, if it's only 30 miles (number completely made up), it's fine. Heck, one of the hospitals I can deliver at is a 45 minute drive!

[Asha]

six months should be perfectly fine. my ob has advised me not to travel after 32 weeks.


did go a trip at 23 weeks and had probably the best flights I've had in a while. I drank lots of water and brought snacks
a plug for jetblue. they will give you snacks and beverages any time you request it on the flight. i don't know if this is true for any other airline, but i think that's great to know if you are traveling while preggo. i felt very dehydrated on my plane trip, but i feel nausea when i drink water, and it was nice to get as much juice as i wanted.

[daphne]

I flew from London to Boston when I was 30 weeks pregnant. I wore those sweet compression stockings & drank a lot of water - I felt fine. FWIW, Virgin Atlantic told me that they'd allow me to fly up until 36 weeks.

[pride&prejudice]

Bumping to ask quick question.

I almost feel foolish asking this. For those that flew, when you went through screening, did you go through the detectors, or did you ask for a personal screening? DH seems to be paranoid about it. TIA!

[amew]

I almost feel foolish asking this. For those that flew, when you went through screening, did you go through the detectors, or did you ask for a personal screening? DH seems to be paranoid about it. TIA!

I have flown roundtrip nine times during the first 13 weeks of this pregnancy, and I have passed through the metal detector coming and going each time. My doctor is totally fine with it, and everything I have read indicates that metal detectors pose no known risk to pregnant women.

Not that Baby Center is the best source for health advice, but this is pretty consistent with what I've seen on all pregnancy and health sites:

http://www.babycenter.com/expert/pregnancy/pregnancytravel/2616.html


Question: Is it safe to walk through airport screening machines while I'm pregnant?

Answer: In airports, passengers walk through metal detectors, which use a low-frequency electromagnetic field to look for weapons. Anything that generates or uses electricity, such as power lines and household appliances, produces an electromagnetic field. At the low levels a metal detector emits, this exposure is considered safe for everyone, including pregnant women. (The same holds true for the wands that security personnel sometimes pass over individual passengers.)

Many people mistakenly think these metal detectors take X-rays — they don't.

Luggage X-ray machines do, however. They emit the same kind of radiation as a dental X-ray and are used only on your bags and other inanimate objects going on the plane. You would have to place your hand through the curtain of a luggage screening machine while the X-ray light was on to be exposed to significant levels of radiation.


ETA -- If you ask for a personal screening, they will likely insist on using the wand on you anyway, and it's my understanding that it also produces a low-level electromagnetic field (someone correct me if I'm wrong), so I am not sure it is any more or less safe.

[pride&prejudice]

amew~ Thanks! DH feels a little better now. He wouldn't just take my word that when I mentioend flying to the midwife, she didn't say anything about the detectors. :)

[flygirl]

This chart (http://www.babycenter.com/general/6976.html) from babycenter.com has a list of most airlines & their restrictions. Surprisingly, no airline actually prohibits traveling at all, but most require a doctor's release when traveling within 7 days of your due date.

In other words, you will most likely NOT be under any restrictions from the airlines. Now, whether you think you can physically handle the flight is a different story ;).

[sue-bert]

Hello,

I am bumping this thread up because it is relevant to my question, although my exact situation isn't addressed here.

I have two travel situations coming up on the horizon, both while I will be in my 3rd trimester. I'm looking for advice, both practical and "WWYD" sort of feedback:


Trans-Atlantic flight (~11 hours long) in early 3rd trimester

Non-stop flight from Tel-Aviv to New York for family celebration (in-laws' 50th wedding anniversary) during weeks 29-31 of my pregnancy. Travelling with a 3-year-old and DH.

My concerns: Airline policies (I think this won't be an obstacle), insurance, comfort on the flight, pesky relatives at destination.


Wedding 3 hours away in my 38-39th week

Wedding is in remote pastoral location near Mount Gilboa (north of the unofficial border between Israel proper and the West Bank). Nearest hospital to wedding is ~40-min drive, and it does not have the best reputation. The couple is arranging buses to help people avoid travel headaches, which appeals to DH because he does not have to drive. It does *not* appeal to me, because if we have to leave the wedding to go to the hospital, we will have to call a cab, which will probaly take at least an hour to arrive because we will be in the middle of nowhere. Plus it will be difficult to take along our hospital bag if we have no place (like our car trunk) to store it.

Part of the driving (the 1/3 closest to the wedding venue) is on meandering, narrow roads or internal city streets; 2/3 of the driving (the leg closest to our home) is on highways.

The wedding starts at 8:00pm, and will probably go on 'till midnight. On a weekday. DH thought it would be fun to stay somewhere nearby overnight and make a mini-vacation of it. I think the timing is not ideal for a mini-vacation!


Other relevant info:


So far, thank goodness, my pregnancy has been free of complications.

This is my second pregnancy. With #1, I carried to full term, giving birth on my exact due date. My entire labor was reasonably quick; from the moment I suspected anything whatsoever was happening to the moment I gave birth, was <6 hrs, no medications or intraventions.


Would you attend either/both of these events? If so, why/why not?

Thanks for your input!

s-b

[Mrs. M.]

I would go to the first one, but probably skip the second. The drive seems very long (to an unknown hospital) for being this close to your due date.

Check your credit card policy for travel insurance and otherwise get trip insurance for the NY trip. Most airlines have no problem before 36 weeks, but check with your carrier.

[kdotp]

I would also go to the first but not the second event.

We flew non-stop from Chicago to London on British Airways when I was 30w pg and was fine. We got bumped up to business class on the flight over thanks to a very generous check-in attendent, so I had plenty of room to relax and put my feet up. On the way back, we weren't as lucky and I did notice more swelling. I just made sure I had plenty of water and snacks and tried to get up at least once every couple hours and walk a bit.

I can't help you with the pesky relatives part, though. :)

I wouldn't go to the second because of the distance from the hospital and the road conditions, especially so close to your due date. It sounds like it would be a fun wedding to go to, just not at this particular time.

[RobynScott]

Ditto the pp. Obviously I haven't given birth yet but I would not be comfortable being so far away from my hospital so close to my due date - not to mention how quick your labor was last time.

I'm having a hard time convining DH we can go to the beach 1 hour away (by highway) in my last month - no way would he go as far as the wedding you are invited to that late in the game.

Other than the pesky relatives ;) - I think the NY trip sounds fun. (though I have never tried traveling that far at 30 weeks - heck, I'm not even 30 weeks yet ;))

[L&D Nurse]

I am going to be in a wedding in 3 weeks when I will be almost 36 weeks pregnant. The wedding is approximately 12 hours driving or 2-3 hours flying away. I am leaning toward driving, but 12 hours in a car is a long time for a pregnant lady. Do any of you have thoughts as to which way might be easier and/or safer? Thanks!

[sue-bert]

Ditto the pp. Obviously I haven't given birth yet but I would not be comfortable being so far away from my hospital so close to my due date - not to mention how quick your labor was last time.

I'm having a hard time convining DH we can go to the beach 1 hour away (by highway) in my last month - no way would he go as far as the wedding you are invited to that late in the game.
Yes, my Dh is very casual about the whole labor thing (I think this might not be the case if he were the one in labor...). "Oh, well you can labor in the car while we drive to the hospital, right? It's only a few hours." Gee, that sounds comfy.

I agree with most people's opinions about travel plan #2 being an iffy venture.

I need to figure out my insurance requirements for possible trip #1...

[Amuse Bouche]

I'd check with your doctor. My dr doesn't want me flying after 30 or 31 weeks (I think) and no driving trips after 36 weeks.

[snoopy30]

sue-bert- I don't think I would personally take trip #1 but it's *probably* safe to go if you really want to. I would just be concerned about my own comfort, etc. On the other hand, pregnancy can be a tricky thing. You never know how stress (i.e. a long flight) can affect things or cause a problem.
I would not take trip #2. That's just too close to your due date I think. I had my DS at 37 1/2 weeks so you just never know. And since your first labor was relatively quick this one may be even faster. Plus you may not really be in the mood for a wedding or traveling at that point...you'll need your rest!

L&D nurse-My doc said no traveling after 28 weeks (which is a bit conservative) so I don't know that I'd be comfortable traveling that far that late in a pregnancy. Flying would be more comfortable I would think but I also think most airlines won't let you fly after 36 weeks??

[sue-bert]

I'd check with your doctor.
Yup, I have an appointment next Wednesday, so I'll ask her then.

In general, she is rather indifferent to everything except tests and paperwork. I'm figuring I'm getting more interest on the CC message board from people who have never met me in real life than I will from her. :rolleyes:

[L&D Nurse]

Just an FYI for anyone who is interested...

My doctor OK'd the 2-3 hour flight and/or 12-hour drive, but suggested I take a copy of my prenatals with me, as he said there is a 3-5% chance of delivery at 36 weeks (uncomplicated, first pregnancy). Also, he said to get up and walk around every 1-1.5 hours while traveling and not to cross my legs while sitting.