FIT TO FLY - HELP xx
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I don’t want to say this for definate but it’s just my personal experience. I went on holiday 2 weeks ago when I was 32 weeks. I look huge & the airline didn’t even ask for my letter. I had it incase but they didn’t even ask. Also I think not fit to fly would be if there any complications or any signs of early labour or medical conditions. Also just as a side note have you told your doc surgery when you’re going away? Surely they must be able to do something 😕xx
@Jessica yes, they did say i could call tomorrow morning to get an appointment in but i have work and i dont think they’ll be happy to let me leave xx i’ve just requested a telephone consultation online hopefully they call me back soon
ugh i just got a text saying i need to be seen in order to get a fit to fly note
@Andrea i did tell them, all they said was to call tomorrow morning in case of a cancellation! i doubt id get asked at the airport but i do want to make sure i am fit to fly. not sure what would be considered as complications, i havent had any apart from some bleeding a few months ago and was told it was because im gbs positive, everything else has been absolutely fine xx
Have you been given your MatB1 certificate yet? My midwife said that’s all you need to fly with so I didn’t bother with a doctors note and no one even asked to check my docs before I flew 3 days ago. Xx
@Jackie this isn’t correct. Your MatB1 is just proof you’re pregnant for your employer, doesn’t say you’re fit to fly.
Why don't you call the doctors tomorrow morning and just say to work you got a doctors appointment and you will be in afternoon
Oh this is annoying. Could the midwife ask one of the obstetric doctors to do it as a special case given the circumstances?! I don’t know what else to suggest but hopefully you get an on the day appointment if not x
@Lottie my midwife said it was fine and that rules have changed because GP’s can’t really write a letter with anything more that something that says your ‘this many weeks and due date is this’ as they’re not the ones treating you. Unless you have complications that’s a different matter of course. She urged me to take a photocopy of my MatB1 certificate with me to the airport just in case I needed proof of some kind. Xx
@Jackie okay this just doesn’t make sense to me since the MatB1 is a piece of paper that literally has your name and due date on. I’m a midwife myself and would never say this to a woman. I understand GPs don’t see women these days but they have the ability to read their notes and make a decision based off that if the midwife is unable to give the fit to fly. I also think it’s women’s responsibility to know if a fit to fly is needed and if they’re higher risk they can ask the obstetrician for a letter if the GP won’t issue one.
Definitely try to get ahold of one. I was stopped by British Airways and Qatar and asked for my fit to fly (I was 26-30 weeks). It’s a doctor’s official headed letter with your details, their contact details for reference, your due date, no known medical issues, that they don’t believe you have any risk of complications and basically their sign off. If you have issues, you won’t be given a fit to fly, it’s low risk or nothing as they want no liability. It’s their neck on the line if anything goes wrong overseas and they will be contacted by your insurer. Speaking of, double check your travel insurance covers you for pregnancy related matters.
@Jackie yeah, that’s not a fit to fly. I’ve had a few for individual trips. MATb1 is a legal document for your employer to inform you are pregnant for your maternity leave rights. Fit to fly is your individual medical status to safely travel overseas as a pregnant woman and have no health risks for the airline or overseas healthcare. It’s sign off from your care provider who they can contact to confirm for liability. If you go into labour in Mexico, your insurer is gonna want a word with the named doctor. A MATb1 is something everyone gets for work, proves nothing about your health and fitness. Your midwife sounds like she doesn’t want her GPs doing the extra work tbh but all trusts are different (as are the airlines) xx
Nobody likes issuing these - as anything can happen late on in pregnancy and nobody wants to be liable!!!! As long as you feel well in yourself, accept the risk you are taking and have good insurance that know you are heavily pregnant I would just get on the plane without one. Wear a big coat 😂
I don’t know about zoomdoc but I know GBS would be a concern in the third trimester. My SIL was positive and went to Italy at 32 weeks for 3 days but she was given the thumbs up to go because they sent her with a precautionary prescription of antibiotics which she got before she left and took them with her in case she had issues with leaking/broken waters whilst abroad. They then cleared her fit to fly because she had them but I’m sure every GP screens differently too. Can the GP surgery not get you in for a telephone consultation? Or one of those, ring at 8am tomorrow to get an appointment on the day?