Flying with Low Placenta
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I have low lying placenta- have not been checked since my 20 week scan- but my midwife said fine to travel up to whenever airline allows. I recently got back from Cape Town and am headed to Spain in a few weeks. Like others said it’s more so if you were to have bleeding unexpectedly or go into premature labour because you would not be able to get home for quite sometime, this would be the same for anyone though. I brought my notes with me to be safe but had no issues at all whilst away.
@SeaJay to be honest my midwife has been useless, she’s not said much and I’ve barely ever actually seen her but the sonographer said it was low, but not covering the cervix so should move up! 9/10 woman’s do apparently
@Erin this is reassuring!! Thank you! We are thinking of changing the holiday to somewhere a bit of a shorter flight in case, and I’ve not really had any bleeding at all during my pregnancy touch wood!
Do you have the antenatal book/notes you bring to appointments? Not sure if everyone has this or if some are online now. Basically if you go into early labour they would most likely keep you in hospital in that country until baby comes so would not be great. Would be very important for you and/or partner to be clear about you having low lying placenta if this happened or you had any bleeding while away. You’ll most likely be completely fine it’s just all about weighing up the risks and what you’re comfortable with.
I’m currently In Cyprus but went private for a fit to fly and they asked a lot more questions than my gp did and asked to see my notes.ive also brought my notes as a just incase
@Erin all my notes are on the Badger app to be fair, they’ve never given me anything on paper. I think we’re going to go over the pros and cons tonight. I don’t want to take any risks but also gutted because I could do with a nice sunny holiday 😂
@Tammi id definitely suggest for electrolytes tho it’s saving me in this heat 😅 especially seeing as the north is supposed to be cooler than the south
@Sophie I might do that!! I just feel like one minute my midwife said it’s fine and the next she said it’s my choice which was a bit cryptic 😅 I don’t wanna risk anything obviously but then also dying for a hol before baby haha
Hi Im 29weeks on Saturday and have a low lying placenta too. My midwife said travelling was fine but when I went to get my fit to fly letter on yesterday they refused. The consultant at the hospital said they can’t sign me off for travel unless I have another scan and it’s moved. Luckily they’ve managed to fit me in tonight so fingers crossed it moved and I can fly on Saturday 🤞 I’m not sure if it’s the placement of the placenta that’s causing them to be more cautious but I’d definitely speak to your midwife about it before hand just in case they need to schedule you in an extra scan. I think needing a fit to fly letter changes between airlines so that’s worth checking too xx
I have a low lying placenta and I flew to Greece for babymoon but at 21/22 weeks. If you've not been told already, low lying placenta means no sex, no tampons, basically nothing put inside. Also avoid vigous exercise but I think travel should be fine so long as you have returned before you are 28 weeks, just take it easy. Started bleeding at 25 weeks and was admitted to hospital and wasn't allowed to leave until the bleeding stopped and cleared 24hrs. I'm lucky it did stop.
I believe the main risks of a low lying placenta are those of bleeding and/or going into premature labour which is why it’s advised not to travel long distances. You ideally don’t want either to happen in a foreign country or a hospital which doesn’t have the full access to your medical records. Whether anything happens or not is super specific to you and your body and can’t be predicted. I think most airlines also require a fit-to-fly letter after 28 weeks for which I’m sure your midwife or GP would consider the condition before making a recommendation so hopefully you can get a more definitive answer. I’d personally recommend to just weight up the risks and decide what feels best and safest for you.