No flying after 23 weeks? WTF.

Question

My OB’s practice doesn’t recommend flying after 23 weeks. A nurse I spoke with on the phone couldn’t give me a reason when I asked, and even went as far to say that they don’t recommend car travel after 23 weeks, either. This is just their policy, regardless of an individual’s pregnancy.
I’m frustrated because it’s sooner than I expected, and I wasn’t given rationale. I’m happy to err on the side of caution, and obviously #blessed to be pregnant, but come on!!
Does anyone know why this might be? My anatomy scan is next week, so I plan on asking when I am in person, too.

Answer

Weird. Most airlines don’t require any kind of note to let you fly at any point in pregnancy, though. My midwife was no worries about me going to Hawaii at 25 weeks. She just said to walk around on the flight and wear compression socks if needed.

Answer

I was on a plane trip last week, at 38+2. Only had to have a note from my doctor saying it was ok, and she even thought it was a stupid requirement of the airline.
Tho, this is the airline in our country you can travel the longest, and my route is one of the exceptions from "not after 38weeks" as it's the only used airline to the hospital from smaller places without hospitals.
Where I live, our airline rules in general are doctors note 34-38w/36-38w. Of course there are some exceptions for twins and high risk pregnancies.

Answer

My ob told me at my first appointment that they would not provide a note for air travel at any point during pregnancy because of the liability that they sign saying it’s okay and then you go fly somewhere and end up having your baby at 26 weeks after they said you were good to go or whatever else could happen so it could be something like that. You can get on a plane without a note until the third trimester though I forget what week exactly and car travel they Just told me its fine but to stop every 2 hours and get out and walk. I’ve flown and gone on road trips during this pregnancy.

Answer

That’s weird but this is my first pregnancy and my Obs office says no fly travel after 35 weeks. So I’m not sure but that does sound weird. Are you in the states?

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That's ridiculous.  The standard for air travel in UK is that you can fly up to 35 weeks, but beyond 28 weeks you need a doctor's note to say you're fit and healthy (and not likely to give birth on the plane!). Check the policy of the airlines and see what they say? And the driving thing seems really extreme, as long as you take regular breaks and move around?

Answer

Have you asked your ob? With my first i went to texas at 32weeks and came back at 36weeks (got on a plane) this time around (bby #6) i went to mexico at 20weeks. What i know and been told is that you can't get on a plane ones you are at 36weeks

Answer

That’s strange. My grandpa died so his funeral is tomorrow and I asked my OB if I could travel. He said no flying after 30 weeks and no car travel after 32 weeks. I’m 30 weeks, so we drove 6 hours to El Paso. I don’t see why you couldn’t travel before then unless you are high risk.

Answer

My OB said for me personally, she didn’t recommend flying after the third trimester started. Which ultimately was for the best because I started prodromal labor at 30w. At about 35w, there was a death in my immediate family, and unfortunately I couldn’t attend the funeral because I was far too pregnant to fly. I cried to my doctor about it and she hugged me. It was horrible not being there but I know she was right that my labor would have most definitely started if I’d gone.

Answer

I’m thinking this is because of the increased risk of blood clots when flying and pregnant. Or just being immobile, like when in a car for a long drive. It’s a very small risk. But you can lessen it by drinking lots of water and taking a walk around the plane every hour. That sounds quite excessive that they say no flying so early. Where I live, they say no flying after 36 weeks (if healthy and low risk)

Answer

I drove across 3 states at 37 weeks. I just mapped out all the hospitals on the way there.

No flying after 23 weeks? WTF.

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