Have you or anyone you know travelled to Pak from US/UK/Canada etc during pregnancy and be fine? I am talking about travelling during early early third trimester.
My midwife thinks its ok to travel but if Allah forbid something happens there in terms of preterm labor/delivery, there may not be appropriate facilities in Pakistan to deal with that.
Any ideas/suggestions/stories/experiences to share?
i went to PK for a week when i was six months pregnant with my first one (to attend my brother-in-law's wedding). we stayed at avari in lahore. i ate out (at avari) most of the time but luckily did not end up getting sick. otherwise, whenever i go to PK, i always end up with stomach related problems. you should probably take some over the counter medications after consulting your doc. i took immodium with me.
i hope you stay well during the whole course of your trip. good luck!
Re: travel during pregnancy
Unless its very important, maybe reschedule the trip, post birth?
Re: travel during pregnancy
dawn thank you for your response.
Afro, my only sister is getting married inshaAllah. Its not very important to go per say (as in a life and death situation) but it would be nice to be at her wedding. We had initially planned to not go but part of me thinks its ok to go.
Re: travel during pregnancy
My mother was over 8 months pregnant when we moved from the US to Saudi. My brother was born two weeks later. All was well, but we were moving to live there, so though the move was overwhelming for my parents (I was only a year old), they also had a new home there. It really depends on what kind of resources you would have available in Pak.
Re: travel during pregnancy
Ira, my brother's wife travelled to and from pakistan whilst she pregnant both times and all was fine.
When she first came to Aus, she was like 7 months pregnant. And same this time round.. They say you shouldnt travel after 7 months though
Re: travel during pregnancy
I wouldn’t trust midwife. Midwives and doulas (sp) will tell u what u want to hear. I would consult my doctor.
My cousin was pregnant with her second child and she wanted to go for a V-Back her doctor told her it was not possible considering her first pregnancy. Her doctor said they will try but chances are very low for her to have a V-back. When my cousin contacted doulas and midwives all of them assured her that its %100 possible and do not listen to her doctor. etc etc. As a result she dumped her doctor at 30 weeks it was impossible for her to find another doctor that late in her pregnancy she hired a doula and ended up having a C-Section :(
Re: travel during pregnancy
My SIL traveled to UK in her last month, she was almost due at the time but wanted to have the baby in UK, so they somehow hid the fact that she was pregnant and some fake papers that she is only 5 months pregnant ... one week after she landed in UK to join her husband the baby was born!!!!
I think all depends if you are having a normal pregnancy and its no where close to your due date or the first trimester its ok to travel, but do ask you doctor.
Ira, i think its ok to travel my sil travelled from the US to middle east with a less than year old and she was 3 months pregnant and left at 6 months pregnant. But do make sure you have all your documents with you coz the airline officials gave them hell... asked them to prove she was not 7 months pregnant and made them jump through hoops so make sure you have all this stuff with you when you are flying... rest all should be good inshAllah ... all the best dear
Re: travel during pregnancy
my ^cousin was 5 months pregnant when she travelled from pk to saudi ..i dont knw how the accident happend but she lost her baby...nd that happend twice to her
Re: travel during pregnancy
Long distance traveling should avoided. You cannot generalize an expectant mother's experience in traveling - because it all depends on where you went and how developed that place was in terms of roads and ways of traveling.
I know the roads are bumpy in less developed countries - and it certainly affects everyone - so no doubt an expectant mother will be uncomfortable... so why bother? Stay home be happy. :)
traveling to PK is different than going somewhere else. ira, i'd go but for no more than a week. limiting your stay would be your best bet...the shorter the trip the less the chances of you getting sick.anyway, be sure to take frequent walks on the plane. also, keep washing your hands through out the day while in PK and you'll be fine, IA.
Re: travel during pregnancy
its only after the 35th week that they say no no to travelling.. from what ive heard...
a friend of mine wanted to squeeze in a last getaway with hubby dearest before the birth of her baby.. she was 32 weeks when she flew from UK to Mauritius and 34 weeks when she got back.. no problems whastoever...
best of luck with whatever u decide .. i can understand the doubt .. after having a miscarriage :s
Re: travel during pregnancy
Thank you so much for your responses ladies. My midwife also said that they dont restrict travel until week 36. She basically gave me all the info and let me decide. I think a short trip would be ok inshaAllah but hubby is concerned about me since my feet swell up so much even after just walking/sitting for a few hours. I have also had some breathing issues that my midwife wants me to get evaluated for so hubby is basically very concerned. It doesnt help that my parents who are already in Pak, are sick with fever, colds, and just basically tired.
Fatso, whats a V-back? So far i am very happy with the care of the midwives. I didnt like the Obgyn i tried first, at all, whatsoever.
citrine, thats a sad story about your cousin! :(
Re: travel during pregnancy
Ira, if you do go, take lots of Listerine, antiseptic spray, and Purell. I took those all during my wedding, used them religiously, and did not get sick at all, alhamudulullah.
Re: travel during pregnancy
If you do decide to go, follow the advice given, to walk frequently on the plane...if possible book 1st class, so you can put your feet up & be a little more comfy. Bring all the essential documents you need, in case you need to visit doctor there. Keep it to a short trip, and avoid going out too much while there, esp no funky transportation like a raksha.
And go with how you feel overall in your pregnancy, if it is a difficult one, I would say don't take the chance and im sure your sis will understand. But if you feel good, then go for it.
Re: travel during pregnancy
Ira, I had to miss my sister's wedding when I was pregnant with my first daughter. I was diabetic and had to report to my endocrinologist every few weeks to keep track of my levels, and toward the end of the last trimester, every week in addition to daily blood monitoring.
However, friends of mine who did not have any obvious issues have travelled during their third trimester and returned safely without any issues.
I would say you discuss with your doctor as well. I had midwife care but there is always an OB/Gyn on the team for consultation. If the doctor says you're good to go and you are up to it, then go for it. Otherwise, go a few months later, with your baby.
I missed my sister's (who is also my only sibling) wedding but you'll find out later that your prayers and blessings for her are more important than your physical presence, especially now that you have a genuine situation.
Re: travel during pregnancy
V-BAC is Vaginal Birth After Cesarean. Midwives and doulas are good but you should always consult your OB.
Good luck :)
Re: travel during pregnancy
In The UK the midwife is more on teh forefront than the doctor. Its very imporatnt to walk every 2 hours at least in that long plane ride otherwise pregnant women esp are at risk to develop dangerous blood clots. Same is true for car trips. There will be infections abound on that trip what with you being exposed tomany peopleduring the wedding.I would advise that if you do decide to go, be religiously careful and don't overdo it!!
Re: travel during pregnancy
So we decided not to take the risk :( I am ok about it now although i had a very hard time with it when i had first gotten pregnant. InshaAllah when the bride and the groom get back we can have a smaller event here.