Out of Country - Pregnant - Travel Concerns

[JERIII 8]

I understand that airplanes are a fairly new invention, but we already have come a long way from the times of the Wright Brothers and even Charles Lindbergh. Today sitting for 5 hours in an airplane is not much different from sitting for 5 hours in a movie theater.

How did people ever have children in the early days, I wonder? They had babies in caves, on pirate ships, in the Sahara desert, traveled in wagons across the wild west, with no doctor or even fresh water within days' reach. Nowadays we are afraid to enter a luxurious plane a few months before delivery date? Are you serious? I mean, really?

Getoutahere!

You must go to really long movies.

It's true that women used to give birth everywhere, but in the old days, a huge number of mothers died in childbirth.

The OP says that "The Doctor here is recommending my wife not travel, due to a concern with the pregnancy. "

That suggests to me a specific concern with this pregnancy, not pregnancy in general.

[VanessaTony 3,567]

I understand that airplanes are a fairly new invention, but we already have come a long way from the times of the Wright Brothers and even Charles Lindbergh. Today sitting for 5 hours in an airplane is not much different from sitting for 5 hours in a movie theater.

How did people ever have children in the early days, I wonder? They had babies in caves, on pirate ships, in the Sahara desert, traveled in wagons across the wild west, with no doctor or even fresh water within days' reach. Nowadays we are afraid to enter a luxurious plane a few months before delivery date? Are you serious? I mean, really?

Getoutahere!

This is incredibly insensitive Bob and in fact I'm going to report you for it.

He doesn't not WANT to fly, it's a risk for the mother AND child. Though you might not realise there are things going on with your body when you're flying, there are. Where do you think DVT comes from? Do you notice your ears popping? Do you know why that is? Oh that's right, it's because flying has effects on the human body (and the PLANE too!! I know.. WEIRD!).

A simple search of google for "flying while pregnant" would have given you the following info: "Women who are having any sort of complications associated with their pregnancy or who are considered to be ‘high risk’ should not travel. This includes women with poorly controlled diabetes, sickle cell disease, placental abnormalities, hypertension or those at risk for premature labor."

You don't KNOW the OP or his wife's situation (and nor should the OP need to explain himself to us or the situation, it's private) and your post does NOT help the OP at all in regards to his query. You're welcome to your opinion but keep it to yourself unless you have something of value to offer to the OP's case.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

I agree - the OP does not need insensitive and callous comments. He has sought medical advice and is seeking further medical advice. There are some conditions where air travel is not recommended during pregnancy and the OP's wife's condition may well be one of those. Her doctor is the best one to make that determination.

A further consideration - while women have been having babies for millennia - until very recently the number one cause of death for women was in childbirth or from complications of childbirth. Women still die in childbirth even with our modern medical advantages. One of my friends did - she hemorrhaged - and they couldn't stop it. The OP is absolutely right to make the health of his wife his number one priority, even if it means he will have to start the immigration process all over again if there is no way to manage the ROC under the current circumstances.

Edited February 4, 2010 by Kathryn41

[payxibka 10,045]

A returning resident visa may also be an option... query with the consulate with your situation and see what is suggested

[KansasDragon 1]

Bob,

I understand your point of luxurious airplane, if there were not a complication with the pregnancy. 5 hours???? Try 14 hours, and that only gets us back to the USA, not back home. By the time we finish the travel jaunt we will have been in airplanes and airports for over 24 hours.

I understand that airplanes are a fairly new invention, but we already have come a long way from the times of the Wright Brothers and even Charles Lindbergh. Today sitting for 5 hours in an airplane is not much different from sitting for 5 hours in a movie theater.

How did people ever have children in the early days, I wonder? They had babies in caves, on pirate ships, in the Sahara desert, traveled in wagons across the wild west, with no doctor or even fresh water within days' reach. Nowadays we are afraid to enter a luxurious plane a few months before delivery date? Are you serious? I mean, really?

Getoutahere!

[TracyTN 237]

Just ignore Bob, KansasDragon.