Hi all,

I have a couple of long haul trips scheduled which will fall in my 1st tri. I'm concerned about whether I should do them or not. One in particular which will fall about 10 weeks involves 4 countries in 5 days and a 20 odd hour overnight flight each way to get to the region. I'm worried about 1) feeling crap, sick and getting tired and 2) miscarrying so far from home. I'm also worried about not meeting my commitments at work tho, and having to tell my boss about my pregnancy so early to get out of it. So not sure what to do. Any advice? Any of you done long haul travel?

Thanks in advance for replies.

In regards to the 'safety' of long haul flights during 1st tri, then there really isn't any cause for concern. flying is considered safe up until 7months unless you may have underlying medical conditions.
However when it comes to the things you've mentioned, being tired, feeling crap and chance of m/c away from home, its really only something you can decide on what your comfortable with. At 10wks some ladies have gotten through the worst of their MS and are starting to feel much better with more energy, for others, its at its peak and exhaustion is still terrible. Unfortunately this is something you won't know until you actually get there. Hard one to give advice on. sorry.

When I am 11 weeks, we are off to LA (about 11 hour flight) for 3 days, then Anchorage (5.5 hour flight away from LA), then a 7 day cruise down to Vancouver, then one night before flying home (about 11 hour flight). All flights are in business class (so I will be as comfortable as can be on a plane - will still need to be active, stay very well hydrated, will check with GP before we go and will wear flight socks during the flight), I am happy with the medical facilities that I will have access to (and/or will be in emergency air list distance to) and we will vary our level of activity depending on how I feel at the time (if all I want to do is sleep and eat, then that is what I will do).

Where are you going to? If it is Australia, USA, SOME parts of Asia, then the healthcare SHOULD be of a good level. I would be worried about going to most of Africa, some of Asia, most of South America during my pregnancy, I think...

If it is all company travel, what is your company's travel policy? Will they allow you to fly Business Class on long haul flights? How long are the connecting flights?

If it was a holiday, then I would say "go for it". If it is work (sounds like it is) and sounds like it is a VERY demanding schedule (without the chance to say "no, I feel crap, I will stay in bed today!"), then I would think VERY hard about doing it. If you feel awful whilst you are there, then you will be doing yourself a diservice (by putting yourself through it) and also possibly your employer a diservice (if you are not up to your normal level of performance). But only you can make that decision.

Worth checking your plans with your GP and/or midwife: they may have some input and/or advice...

QT

Hi there, thanks for such comprehensive replies. QTPie, my destination is in your second list. I've had a confidential chat with the nurse at work who advises on vaccines etc, she's told me that whilst I technically can go it's not a good idea as I'll be so early on. I'd have to go armed with details of health care providers at all destinations, and that's enough to scare me into not doing it!

So I just have to get the courage up to tell my boss now. Seems odd to be telling him before my mother but hey, needs must.

That sounds wise... I hadn't thought about vaccines, but it is a good point.

There are lots of places that I would go during pregnancy, but certainly a lot of places that I wouldn't.

Letting your boss know now may help in other respects (assuming your boss is nice/good).

Good luck
QT