Flying After A C-Section

[meglet]

For various reasons I have decided to fly home next month to give birth in the UK in September. If the worst happens and I end up having a c-section (really don't want one) how quickly after would I be able to fly back to the middle east?

[Sqad]

Meglet, there is just bot you to think about but the baby on the plain.

I suppose that you could fly back after 10 days...it would be a bit tiring for you both, but possible.

[Sqad]

P.S...sorry, got a bit excited.....sp."not you to think about"....."plane".

;-)

[Sqad]

Further thoughts......that would be a 6 hour flight......I have reconsidered...2 weeks would be about right, but you should ask your Obstetrician.

[meglet]

Thanks Sqad. I was hoping that 2 weeks would be about right. I hope not to have one but am considering asking for an induction at 40 weeks so that hubby can fly home and be with me (we'd be gutted if his missed it) and the chances if a c-section increase with more intervention. My midwife would prefer if I let nature take its course but I don't know :-/

[Connemmara]

Can you let not baby come "au naturel" "you have decided" ie you won't be flying into the real world anyhow when you go back to middle-east!!!

You will be lucky - to see east-north-south-west!!!

[meglet]

I would like to let baby come when she's ready. But if hubby can only get 2 weeks leave and comes home at 40 weeks only for nothing to happen for a week then he would have to fly back when baby is a week old. Then how am I supposed to fly back as I can't do it on my own a week later?

[237SJ]

10 days is the minimum time after abdominal surgery and don`t quote me but I think that there might be a minimum age of 2 weeks for a baby to fly.

[meglet]

Hi 237SJ, its 48 hours for British Airways and 7 days for Emirates.

[rockyracoon]

Remember to factor in how long it takes to get a passport for the baby.

[meglet]

Good point rockyracoon, forgot about that. That'll take a week at the very least as well.

[rockyracoon]

The very least, my friend was trying to get renewals for her kids, she was told at least 3 weeks so she's had to go up on an emergency appointment as she flies in 2. I don't think you can do first passports on emergency appointments. Mind you, Sept should be quieter than now.

[meglet]

Thanks. The Gov website says you can use the fast track service for first child passport which will be delivered within 1 week. But you can't get a first child on an emergency appointment as you say.

[bednobs]

hi meglet - will you have to pay for the birth over here? You might need to factor that in too (as you are no longer a uk taxpayer, i'm not sure NHS is free for you anymore) When i worked in PALS, we had problems with the expats coming over from spain for treatment, then finding out they had to pay!

[rockyracoon]

Be wary, my friend couldn't do the fast track, they said it was unavailable at the moment so she is trudging off somewhere next Sat (she flies the following Weds) to get emergency passports. As I said though, hopefully Sept will be less busy. Good luck anyways.

When I flew back from Boston a couple of years ago there was a lady next to me with a three week old baby, she was travelling on her own, into Heathrow then on again to Aberdeen, the cabin crew were really helpful and I got plenty of cuddles with the baby whilst she went to the loo, sorted bottles etc.

[meglet]

He Bednobs. To be fair I've only been gone since 4th May so you could say I was on a long holiday! I've been in touch with my midwife who will just take me back on her books so I don't think I need worry. I'd be bloody pee'd off if it was a problem as (you may remember this thread http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Business-and-Finance/Question1248016.html ) I'm still owed £2k tax from this year!

Thanks for the heads up Rockyracoon. I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

[bednobs]

i really think you need to check - to get free NHS treatment you need to be resident - you won't be, you'll be a visitor. Just because you (both) have previously paid tax in this country doesn't mean diddly squat i'm afraid.

"However, no matter how much they have paid in tax and National Insurance over the years, expatriates may now have to pay for NHS care back in Britain. Only treatment for emergencies - such as heart attacks, accidents or sudden illness - will still be free"

The cut off point when you will have been considered to have "left" the UK is 3 months.

i am just telling you this in case you are suddenly presented with a bill (you will be classed as a "Health tourist")

[sherrardk]

Don't forget to factor in registering the baby to get a birth certificate to get a passport for her/him.

[boxtops]

I agree with bednobs - "health tourists" are hot news here at the moment, with the NHS being so cash-strapped at the moment. You need to be sure you'd not be charged, befor you even think about coming back. Do you think you'd get better care here in the UK than where you are? - not sure why you are even considering this!

[meglet]

Who would I check with Bednobs? My midwife? I still have a UK address, bank account, NI number etc. I'm still earning rent in the UK (although non-taxable). Sorry for ignorance but I've known plenty of people who have gone travelling for a year and rented out their property and subsequent NHS hasn't been a problem. I haven't cut all my ties, as it were.

Boxtops, lots of reasons. But mainly because hubby and I are not settled in the Middle East at the moment and I don't have any medical insurance as it stands. I am confortable that i would get better care at my local hospital in the UK

[boxtops]

Fair enough... the other thing you'd need to check is whether the airline would actually carry you to the UK if you are so near your time - I'm almost sure that at one time there was reluctance to fly women after 38 weeks?