Travel for work

[Keeping up]

Alright - I have been thinking about planning a trip to my headoffice in NY (I am Cdn) for the first week of May. It is a tad self-imposed because I do need the job when I am done mat leave. One last visit would be a could reminder that I exist!

Am I nuts to be travelling at 34+ weeks? With my first pregnancy (and earlier on), my doctor at the time said travel is no issue what so ever as long as you didn't mind having the baby at the other end (i.e. was it a safe place - not a island in the carribean!) so NYC is just fine.
The airlines will let you travel up until 1 month prior to your due date (so May 16th for me!)

Should I just forget about the trip?

I am otherwise perfectly healthy and have no issues with pregnancy. I forgot to ask my midwives but I don't think they would have an issue either. And, believe it or not, I probably get more rest not being home (three kiddos under 5) and sleeping in a hotel (weird, but true!)

[MollyandCleo]

It sounds like a good idea to go! If you're feeling strong and healthy, make the trip.

[wombatclay]

If you feel good, then go for it!

Just remember to hydrate hydrate hydrate on the flight and to wear VERY comfortable shoes and clothes. Nothing tight or binding and don't take your shoes off during the flight. Air travel often makes pregnant mamas swell like balloons and if you take your shoes off they may not fit at the end of the flight! Get up and walk if you can during the flight and do all those silly in-seat exercises....you know, the ones where you flex and rotate your feet and shake your arms and stuff like that.

I flew from NY to central Alaska last time (just shy of 8mo pregnant) and it wasn't bad...but I lost my ankles on the return flight (they didn't come back till after dd arrived) and I found that I needed more time to get from gate to gate (I even hopped a ride on one of those "courtesy carts", so ask if you can get assistance moving between gates or pre-boarding if you've got stops along the way).

Also make sure you request an aisle seat near the bathrooms! It's easier to get up and down and stretch with the aisle seat and being near the restrooms...well....

I wasn't asked, but some airlines will ask for a letter from our care provider if you "look almost due". So ask your care person for a letter just in case! And bring a little cheat sheet of important numbers like your insurance company help line and your care provider's after hours number "just in case". You might also research the differen hospital options to see if you'd have a preference (or if your insurance provider requires that you use a certain option).

A trip would be a great way to make the last few weeks fly by though, so I think it'll be fun even if it IS work related. Mmmmmm....a hotel pool, room service, maybe a hotel spa with a massage? You could make it a real get-away.