Pregnant wife flying to Oz
 

Hi all

Just a quick question whats the upper limit ( upto how many weeks) a pregnant woman is allowed to fly on a longhaul flight to Australia?

thanks all

des

Re: Pregnant wife flying to Oz
 

Have a looksee here as it varies from one airline to another:-

http://www.aircourier.co.uk/health3.htm

Check with your airline and also your doctor to be on the safe side.

HTH

Sara

Re: Pregnant wife flying to Oz
 

It depends on the airline - usually between 32-36wks. If it is later on (ie. close to those weeks) they may ask you to get a letter from your midwife (or GP) stating your gestation and that you are fit and healthy. The main risk is DVT because they are more common in pregnancy.

Rachel (midwife)

Re: Pregnant wife flying to Oz
 

If u r really keen on the research, there was a recent article in the Aust NZ journal of Obs & Gynae. "Adverse outcome of pregnancy following air travel: a myth or a concern" by Chibber R, Al-Sibai MH, Qahtani N. (2006;46:24-8)

The essential findings were that primigravid women (ie those who had never given birth before) were at risk of preterm delivery and low birth weight infants. They comment that this may be to do with the oxygen levels in the plane, leading to a change in oxygen tension which may adversely affect the baby.


Now, if I were preggers and considering flying, would I fly knowing this info? Dunno - it'd depend on my personal situation.


PLEASE note - my comments do not constitute medical advice.

Re: Pregnant wife flying to Oz
 

Rachel is correct.

More common because of:
1. increased oestrogen in pregnancy (this impacts the blood's "stickiness")
2. reduced mobility (some women, particularly later stages of preg)
3. amniotic fluid can (rarely) cross into the mother's blood supply, also causing problems.

The big problem is that the clot (usually in the leg) moves around the body til it gets to the lungs where it gets stuck and causes a blockage. (Called a pulmonary embolus if you are interested)

Re: Pregnant wife flying to Oz
 

hi
i flew out (alone i may add!) last november at 5 and a half months pregnant and the limit with emirates was 6 months. it was ok (asides from not liking emirates, but that's not connected with being pregnant) and we have a 5 month old giggly boy now.. :)

Re: Pregnant wife flying to Oz
 

We flew home from oz when i was 32 weeks pregnant, I was told I was allowed to fly up until 36 weeks.
Was not the most comfortable journey though

kate

Re: Pregnant wife flying to Oz
 

Another consideration is insurance - a lot of places in UK would not insure past 26wks. We found that the AA did 2 yrs ago.

Ensure when you book the tickets you mention the pregnancy and for her to wear fitting outfit that shows off the bump ;) as we were upgraded both ways to Economy premium on BA to Tobago & back - I was glad for the extra room (at around 28wks) and an isle seat was better for getting up to the toilet especially when the little un has a good work out on my bladder :D

I was also recommended to use flight socks.

Re: Pregnant wife flying to Oz
 

Each airline has their own restrictions on the cut off point and also the stage at which theyrequire you to have medical clearance to fly. I flew with Singapore airlines at 28 weeks and 1 day, they were happy to carry me with no medical clearance, but i would not have been allowed to stop over in Singapore without a visa, or had we had a delay i would nothave been allowed to leave the airport, aparantly due to the fact they don't want "unexpected arrivals". The main problem i had was insurance, i could only find 1 company prepared to cover for over 28 weeks they were navigator insurance.

Lynn

Re: Pregnant wife flying to Oz
 

I've flown at about 5 months. I personally wouldn't fly much later than 6 months. Some airlines are quite strict so I guess will depend on you airline as to how late your wife can fly.

I had a lovely air hostess - who was also a midwife - on board and she said if I felt out of breath at any time then she would give me some oxygen. Which luckily I didn't need but I felt a lot more relaxed knowing that I was being "looked after".
I also sat right at the back of the plane and in an aisle seat, so that I was close to the toilets as I needed to pee quite often. Also I took some extra bottles of water with me. You have to drink plenty.

So you drink lots then you go pee lots - this is good as it keeps you quite mobile during the flight so it minimises the possibility of DVT.

All the best.

Re: Pregnant wife flying to Oz
 

Wow this takes me back. I was 23 weeks pregnant when I emigrated to Australia. I know have a one year old bubs. :D

I was comfortable enough flying then. I took 75mg of aspirin and wore dvt stockings. My GP told me not to take aspirin, but the midwife at the hospital said it was a good idea so I did. I was glad I did as the stockings were useless and kept falling down. I drank loads of water and walked to the toilet a whole lot. :p

Good luck with everything.
Katie

Re: Pregnant wife flying to Oz
 

hello all

thanks again we appreciate your help and opinions thats why we love britshexpats. we are hoping to fly singapore and emirates only ,singapore have an upper limit of 36 weeks with a doctor's letter.

thanks all

des & helen