Sproik

The time is fast approaching where we fly out now. We have our visa interviews this week and are leaving 3 weeks after that. I'll be on a H1B with my wife and 4 kids on H4's.

I just wanted to see if anyone has any experience of doing this while pregnant. My wife will be 28 weeks pregnant when we leave; are we likely to be asked any additional questions? Should we make any special preperations etc? Reason for asking is I just saw a "horror story" of a lady from Pakistan who was turned away and sent home because she was pregnant.

Just to be specific, we're all UK citizens, insurance is fully sorted and we will be covered under my group policy. Question is relating purely to visa interviews and POA questions/checks.

Noorah101

To my knowledge, you shouldn't have any problems.

Was the Pakistani lady accompanying her H1B husband? Probably not.

Rene

Noorah101

I just realized 28 weeks is about 7 months. You might want to check ahead with the airline to make sure they'll let her fly that far along.

You won't have any visa issues, or POE issues, as long as the airline lets her fly at 7 months pregnant.

Rene

meauxna

One detail to keep in mind for after Baby arrives is her new-to-you dual citizen status. She will be a US citizen if she's born in the US and a UK citizen through her parents.
However, the US will always and forever see her as only a US citizen, so you'll want to know about the rules of dual citizenship. Check out this article, and the terrific FAQ that is linked in it:
http://britishexpats.com/wiki/Pros_a...US_Citizenship

Congratulations, and happy travels!

ian-mstm

She shouldn't have any problems... as long as the airline lets her on the plane.

Ian

AmerLisa

Hopefully they're not moving to Arizona......

Sproik

Thanks for the reassurances. The "scare story" was http://nirajfromboston.blogspot.com/...ng-united.html but you're right, it doesn't say if she was on a H4/H1B or not.

And we're going to Utah, what's wrong with Arizona though? Have checked with the airline already - Delta actually have no restrictions up to 36 weeks and 36-40 just want a doctors note saying your fit!

We're aware of the DC status, but thanks for the wiki link - that's nice and conscise.

penguinsix

Yea, airline issues only. However, if possible you might want to get a doctors note even though they are only 7 months (just in case you get someone who wants to be a bit of a pain).

Other thing I would note is to be very wary about dehydration on the flight. People never drink enough water on flights and besides causing jet lag, dehydration is also something that can bring about premature labor.

A recommended level of hydration on a plane is 12 fl oz per hour in the air (12 oz is the size of a can of Coca-Cola). This is what many physios in the states recommend for professional athletes when they go on cross country trips for sporting events (a US cross-country flight is 6 hours). If you are having an 8 hour flight from the UK that's 96 fl ozs, which is about 3 liters of water. Do not rely on the airline crew to provide that amount of water, but instead pay the obscene rates to buy water inside the terminal in large jugs.

Yes, more trips to the bathroom, but probably better to be safe rather than sorry.

Enjoy the flight and welcome to the US.

anuny

The do not even have the doctor's note issue.
http://www.delta.com/planning_reserv...erns/index.jsp

"We don't have restrictions for pregnant women, so you don't need a medical certificate to travel.

However, keep in mind that ticket change fees and penalties aren't waived for pregnancy. If you're traveling after your eighth month, it's a good idea to check with your doctor to be sure it will be ok."

If the OP can afford a BE seat on Delta, that should set his wife for a rather comfortable flight. The water and fluids will never be in shortage and the OBL will pay special attention to her throughout the flight.

rew1000

Reading between the lines, it would seem that the woman who had a problem was using a B visa, where the burden is on the visitor to prove that they are definitely going to be leaving soon. That's not the case for H visas - they've said yes to you being here for 3 years, so you're not expected to behave like someone who's meant to be on a week's visit.