I'm 4w2d, and if (God willing) all goes according to plan, a wedding that I'm a bridesmaid in will be right at the 28 week mark. What's the deal with traveling at 28 weeks? (Okay? Not okay?)
To give you an idea, we'd probably want to fly. The drive is 15 hours.
apricot / 365 posts
You should ask your doctor of course, but I just got back from a plane trip (2 hr ride) at 37 weeks. The only crappy thing was having to do it alone, with no one to carry my bags and stuff. Just stay hydrated.
wonderful cherry / 21504 posts
I flew around that time. My midwives didn't put any limits on travel until 36 weeks. It was fine, but I was really tired, and flying made me *really* swollen. It was probably a combination of the flight and generally being on my feet more, eating less healthy, not drinking as much water, but I was so swollen I decided to work from home so I could keep my feet up the day after I got back.
So I think it would be fine, but be prepared to be a lot more tired than you would expect. And bring comfortable shoes for the wedding!
hostess / wonderful persimmon / 25556 posts
At that stage, yes I would go with an uncomplicated pregnancy. I think I flew until 32 weeks and then nixed a job I was scheduled for at 34 just because I was so tired and it was so far away. Do it!
grapefruit / 4278 posts
Assuming everything is going well it shouldn't be a problem. I flew from Texas to Wisconsin when I was 28 weeks for my baby shower. We planned it early to avoid any late term travel restrictions.
pomelo / 5228 posts
I see no problem with it! My doctor said I'm OK to fly until 32 weeks.
pomegranate / 3921 posts
@whodat: I definitely will ask my MW--just haven't gotten to see her yet (since it's way early). Kudos to you for flying alone at 37 weeks! I'm sometimes wimpy about flying alone when I'm NOT pregnant. 
@Foodnerd81: Thank you! Swelling is a good point--nothing like a bloated gal in a bridesmaid dress to say "Happy wedding day, friends!" I will try to bring healthy snacks and drink LOTS of water. 
GOLD / cantaloupe / 6581 posts
I flew around 32 weeks and although I was uncomfortable on the plane and needed more breaks than usual, it was fine. Barring any complications, it's no big. Just something to mention to your doctor.
pomegranate / 3921 posts
@mediagirl: YAY! After I celebrated my BFP I started freaking out about having to tell my friend I couldn't be in her wedding anymore. Catastrophize much? 
@Kiddosc: Very reassuring. Thank you!
@Mrs.Someone: So good to know! Thanks, lady.
pomegranate / 3921 posts
@Bookish: Thank you! Hopefully I'll be okay because I have to connect anyway (roughly two two-hour flights)...so I'll be sure to do lots of walking and water-drinking.
wonderful cherry / 21504 posts
@mfa_lady: It was kind of funny, I mostly just looked even more pregnant while I was there. It wasn't until I got home that the ankles and feet got really swollen too. Sprinting through the airport trying to make a connection didn't help though (followed by uncontrollable preggo sobbing in the bathroom when I didn't make it!)
grapefruit / 4988 posts
I flew across the country around 28 weeks. It went fine. I made sure to sit at the back of the plane close to the restrooms. I drank alot of water and tried to remember to get up and move around a little about once an hour.
pomegranate / 3921 posts
@Foodnerd81: Oh my gosh. I have only ever missed a flight once in my life, and I was 18--it was not pretty. I can only imagine handling that while quite pregnant/hormonal/swollen. You get one million tough girl points!
honeydew / 7283 posts
That sounds like a great time to travel. I was still pretty comfortable at 28 weeks.
pomegranate / 3921 posts
@MrsF: Good to know! Can you tell I'm new at this?
ETA: Also, it's hugely encouraging to know you were still pretty comfortable then. It's going to be quite the weekend!
wonderful clementine / 24134 posts
I'm 24 weeks now and traveling for memorial day. My husband is going with me so thats nice. I asked my OB for authorization to fly just in case and they also printed out a copy of my records in case I have to go to the hospital while I am away.
pomegranate / 3921 posts
@T.H.O.U.: Ooooh, I like that idea of having your records with you. Anything to make me feel confident that I'm prepared no matter what will certainly help.
coconut / 8498 posts
I flew one way at 30, back at 31, and everything was fine. No restrictions until 36 weeks in a normal pregnancy according to my OB.
cantaloupe / 6692 posts
We drove a 16 hour drive when I was 27. It wasn't bad at all. No more uncomfortable than a normal long drive.
pomegranate / 3921 posts
@Weagle: Thank you! I had in my head that the restrictions started much earlier, so this is super helpful.
@Danizaur: Also so good to know! It might be kind of fun to drive and stop a couple places along the way. Will probably depend for us on how much time off DH has by that time. Thank you!
pomelo / 5220 posts
@T.H.O.U great tip about the records, I never even thought of that! I am flying twice in the coming months (24 and 26 weeks) and it would be a good idea to have my records with me just in case.
apricot / 287 posts
I flew at 28 and 32 weeks with my first pregnancy, I had a letter from my midwife both times although I never needed it. It wasn't the most fun flight ever (I get motion sickness and couldn't take anything) but I wasn't that uncomfortable. I got up a couple times to walk the aisles because I was paranoid about blood clots but I was fine.
GOLD / squash / 13576 posts
I'm not allowed to fly after 32 weeks and I'm high risk. So you should be okay.
pomegranate / 3921 posts
@Veggiemama: Awesome. Thanks for sharing! Sounds like I'm in the clear as long as all is going smoothly by that time.
olive / 70 posts
I flew internationally at 18 and 23 weeks (14 hour plane ride) and so far I am having a healthy pregnancy. Besides my MS bothering me the entire flight and having to pee a bajillion times it wasn't too bad. Just make sure to bring your own snacks and drinks for the plane ride as my aversions allowed me to only eat a little bit of the food served on the plane.
I'm would still get assurance from your doctor or midwife that you are free of any complications. But it shouldn't be an issue if your pregnancy is progressing well.
pomegranate / 3921 posts
@Matcha Latte: Thank you! Snacks I know I'll be able to handle is a good idea! I hope things are still progressing at that point--I will definitely check with my MW when I see her.
pear / 1837 posts
I flew from Washington DC to Paris at 28 weeks and home at 29 weeks, and was fine. I wore compression socks and they had me take baby aspirin starting a couple days in advance, continuing through the trip, and a couple days after. It really wasn't bad at all. I also did fine on the trip itself, though after two days of walking around like crazy, I spent most of the third day napping!
For the plane travel I wore my most pregnant-looking clothes so people gave me a little extra space and consideration
pomegranate / 3921 posts
@Lozza: Oh my gosh--compression socks and look pregnant--SUCH GOOD TIPS! Haha. I am totally going to remember to wear super pregnant-looking stuff. Thanks, lady!
blogger / honeydew / 7081 posts
I'd see how you're feeling, but you should be fine! I flew at 25 weeks, and other than some ankle swelling (my own fault, forgot compression socks), I had no problems.
pomegranate / 3921 posts
@redsmarties: Thank you! It sounds like keeping the swelling to a minimum (especially so I can wear a knee-length bridesmaids dress!) is going to be the hardest part. Compression socks will be my new BFF!
blogger / honeydew / 7081 posts
@mfa_lady: Its funny - I didn't swell on the way there, just the way home! Oh, and I totally agree on the wearing extra-pregnant-looking clothes. It just helps a little extra (I got bonus snacks on the plane, haha).
pomegranate / 3921 posts
@redsmarties: Bonus snacks--SO GOOD! Hahaha. Whatever it takes, right??
nectarine / 2134 posts
I had a 5 1/2 hour flight at 27-28 weeks and it was fine. I've been having swelling issues for a long time though so I wore compression socks and they really helped minimize the swelling (I had two flights in one day at 24 weeks and didn't know about compression socks then -- it was not pretty). I'm schedule for two more flights this pregnancy at 31 weeks and 32 weeks and I won't be forgetting my compression socks!
And I'd bring documentation of the pregnancy just in case they give you a hard time or you need to seek medical care while you are away (mine was just a few pages my OB's office faxed over with due date, etc). Have fun!
pomegranate / 3921 posts
@NorCalWayfarer: Thanks, lady! Love hearing stories of things going smoothly.
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