Pregnancy and traveling (first trimester)

[claire611]

Hi Ladies- We were blessed w/good news yesterday. Dh and I had planned a trip for the holidays to to be with my family (long non-stop flight). I'm just trying to find out as much as I can about traveling while pregnant during the 1st trimester. Have any of you done so?  Also, I've been experiencing twinges and cramping off and on for the past several days. At first it was mostly on my right side (a few times on my left). Today it's been more on my left side. I have had an EP on my left side earlier this year so I was hoping not to feel much on that side. Did any of you ladies experience twinges and/or cramping early in your pregnancy? I'd really appreciate your replies. :-)

[Diane1003]

I get aggrivated when I'm dealing with different people in the dr's office.  I went and had my first HCG test and about 48 hrs later when I spoke to a nurse about the results she asked if I'd already gone in that day for a 2nd test and I laughed and said that no one said I needed to - she said just to walk in the next morning before work and say that she sent me if anyone gets mad they'd get mad at her!  yikes!

I'm not from HI - I grew up in northern VA just outside of DC (and I live in MN now).  I grew up with a girl who was born in HI and has since moved back.  She lives on O'ahu and has three beautiful children that we were able to meet this summer when my husband and I went on our 5yr anniversary/honeymoon!

I'd make sure to actually speak to your dr if you still have concerns.  I thought my friend was a bit over cautious -but - it's an individual choice.  When is your next appt?

[claire611]

Hi Diane- Thanks for your post back. It is truly frustrating dealing w/dr's offices. I just don't get it sometimes!  One great example, I was on the phone w/ a nurse the other day asking her this question and she was liike "oh you're 8 wks and should be fine". I was like WHAT!  It wasn't even a month ago that I had my retreval and transfer!  Unbelieveable! She then put me on hold while she went to get my chart!  Glad to hear that everything went well w/your trip.

Interesting about your friend, that is almost the exact same trip that we have coming up!  We're also going to Hawaii but instead of leaving from the DC area we're leaving from NY/NJ area!  Are you from Hawaii?  My family lives there.  Thanks again for your reply.

[Diane1003]

My friend will be in her 20th week I think and it will be her first u/s - and she's not seeing a specialist.  She got pregnant after her 2nd month of trying and is blessed to have a healthy/normal pregnancy thus far.

My friend that didn't attend my wedding said to me that with IVF there is a 30% higher chance of miscarriage with flying.  I'd never heard anything like that - but - I wasn't going to second guess her. She would have had to travel from Hawaii to the DC area...  She would have been in her 2nd trimester I believe.

I know how you feel with getting conflicting info from people in the same office.  The office where I go is driving me crazy with all the appts I have and people asking me if I'm having blood work and I have no idea!!!

Last thing - I flew last week and was fine.  A nurse told me to stay hydrated and make sure to get up and move around every 30 min. I didn't stress about getting up and tried to sleep through most of it.  I was just fine.  And consider what 'Flygirl' is saying - flight attendants do it every day - that's their job!  With that being said, I do appreciate your concern and don't feel anyone will think less of you if you decide to err on the side of caution and opt not to fly.

[claire611]

Tanker Chic- Thanks for your post. Wow, you did travel to some far places. And I assume most of those trips were non-stop?  I guess I''m mostly concerned due to my history.  Thanks for the congrats and the luck. I appreciate it. :-)

flygirl- Thanks for your post. I've always wondered how flight attendants manage their pregnanices and you answered that question!  Congrats to you!  Is this your first pregnancy? How long did the cramping last after the transfer?  Good luck to you with the shots.

Diane- Hi again. Thanks for your info. Your friend that's in her 17th week, her upcoming u/s will be her first?  I take it she doesn't go to an RE? We're suppose to leave Christmas Eve. I did speak to my RE's office regarding flying before starting the cycle and I've gotten confiicting info. The docs seem to say it's okay while the nurses say the office usually says no flying during the first trimester! And this is the same office! I know that I should go by what the docs said but it's still concerning to me to hear no from the nurses. Your friend who didn't attend your wedding, from what you wrote I take it that she decided not to fly on her own or did her RE's office recommend not flying? Thanks again for your post.

[Diane1003]

I would say yes to 'twinges' and not being able to describe the feelings - not cramping per say - I usually never had bloating for PMS so I'm not sure what that feels like.  I had my first ultrasound at 6w4d - measured at 6w3d with a heart rate of 112.  I also had two miscarriages so I'm going to a fertility clinic.  I think usually the first u/s isn't scheduled for a while. I have a friend who got pregnant her 2nd cycle trying and is in her 17th week - has an u/s scheduled for Dec 20.  When is your flight scheduled?  You can always call someone at your clinic to talk about concerns flying to see what they have to say.  I have a friend who was pregnant (using IVF) and wasn't a bride's maid for me b/c of concerns flying...

[flygirl44]

I work as a flight attendant and havent had the need to cut down on my flying hours yet. I'm a little over 5 weeks pregnant, but will find out tommorow if I need to cut back due to all the upcoming appt.s involving ultrasounds and maybe blood tests.  My husband injects me everyday with the Progesterone.  I don't look forward to having a trip in which I have a layover in a city in which I have to give myself "the shot"!    All of the Flight attendants that I've worked with usually work up to 6 weeks prior to giving birth. I had some mild cramping after the transfer, but it seems to have disappeared.

[Tanker Chic]

I traveled all throughout my first trimester and to pretty far off places.. Alaska, Hawaii and Connecticut...  I felt pretty good my first trimester and didn't have any problems.  Mostly bloating. I'm nost sure how far along you are, but later in the first trimester I did experience round ligament pain.  They were quick sharp shooting pains on either side.  

Good luck with your trip and pg.  Congrats!!  

[claire611]

Hi Diane- Thanks for your post. :-) DId you feel or have you felt any cramping or twinges during your first few weeks? I guess I'm extra cautious about what to do because of my history (I had a m/c 2 yrs ago and an ectopic pregnancy earlier this year) and wasn't sure about flying in the first trimester. When is the first u/s usually scheduled?  Thanks for the tips!

[Diane1003]

I'm about 7w 4d and flew last week for Thanksgiving.  For me it's hard to describe what I'm feeling - lots of GI tract changes mostly...  I made sure to stay hydrated and would kind of kick my legs and just make sure the blood was flowing. I was fine on the flights - from MN to FLA with a lay over in GA - so really -4 flights.  You'll be fine!!!  Just don't be bashful about climbing over people to go to a bathroom.  Try to get an isle seat!