Low lying placenta and travelling

[Petra]

following spotting and light bleeding on Saturday, I have stayed out of work for few days so I could have enough rest. I am due to go and see my parents on Thursday - it's 1.5 hour flight from London. I called my midwife who said that it's generally advisable not to travel during pregnancy and that I shouldn't go. She said that with low lying placenta I could start bleeding at any time.. ( she really scarred me)

I have called the maternal assesment unit who said that I should be ok on a short flight.

I am having dilema now... I don't want to put my LO under any risk but on the other hand I am so homesick and know that I would get cared for over there if I was unwell.

What would you do? Am I being unreasonable to even consider travelling now?

 

[millie15]

"not to travel" seems a bit excessive!! I flew to France and back a few weeks ago and all seems fine, midwives advised me it was ok in the 2nd trimester. I'm not sure about if you have a low lying placenta though... you might have to be more careful. Can you go on the train instead - surely that would be fine?

 

[abcd1234]

I would generally take the hospitals advice over your midwifes. I found the midwifes wearnt very clued up on things like that.

Have you tried looking it up on the internet too?? I know that a low lying palcenta gives a higher risk of bleeding but i'm not sure about the flight things sorry

 

[maybebaby]

I always though that there was no problem flying up to 28 weeks pregnant. I don't know anything about a low-lying placenta though. I assume you told the maternal assesment unit about your condition? I would generally take their advice as long as they were aware of all the facts.

 

[Petra]

thank you all. I have told MAU all facts.. I will decide tomorrow as they should have my results of a swab they took on Sunday when checking if my cervix is still closed.

 

[lea m]

All I could find on the net

The risk is small under 26 weeks, but patients should avoid putting themselves in situations where bleeding would be hazardous.



This could mean restrictions on flying or changing the nature of a job: the sales rep being office-based rather than out on the road.

So basically I think it means that if you were to bleed while on the plane your a higher risk but not that the plane would cause you to bleed! I hope you get some better answers tomorrow!!

Where will you be flying too? (im a nosey cow arent I haha)

 

[Petra]

Thanks Lea, that's very helpful
I am off to Prague - Czech Republic for 10 days. My only sister is 32 weeks pregnant with her first too. Can't wait to go shopping with her and get something nice for her LO. ing for some answers tomorow and a safe journey.

 

[lea m]

Aww yeh I hope you can go!! Prague looks lovely! Me and OH were planning to visit there this year but never did! lol

 

[*CLAIREBEAR*]

ive been to prague!! have a lovely time if you can get there!!

 

[satch]

At my 20 week scan I was told that my placenta, while isn't low, is actually on 2 sides. I'm not sure what this means but I've been offered 2 extra scans as they need to check whether there aren't any connecting vessels lying over the cervix. I was going to go to Portugal in September at 24 weeks and I looked online and it said on one website that after 24 weeks if you have one of the following conditions you should get a note from the doctors and one of them was an abnormal placenta.

Since this was a work trip, then I decided that I could avoid it as the trip wasn't a necessity.

I would take some professional advice about what they would recommend - at least you know that when you get to your end destination you will be looked after and some relaxation time and TLC will be lovely (for me it was going to an exhibition and spending all day standing up)

 

[daftscotslass]

Take advice on it - I flew to London with a low-lying placenta (though I didn't know it at the time) and had no problems at all.

 

[EllieBelle]

Im not sure about the low lying placenta problem, but when I told my midwife I was off on holiday (4.5hr flight), she was all for it, and told me to go and have a really great time.

I remember someone telling me that being pregnant doesnt mean you are made of glass - which I thought was a great moto!

Obviously the choice is yours, but hundreds of pregnant women fly every day!

 

[Petra]

thanks for your replies. I have spoken to my midwife and she said I should be ok for a short flight.. so I am packed and off tomorrow. I will miss you all

 

[lea m]

Oh yay!! Have a great time hun!!! Take some pics of beautiful Prague for me!!!

 

[Petra]

thanks hun