Traveling to Lower Elevations in My 8Th Month of Pregnancy

I was in the same situation, except I was 8 1/2 months pregnant and I was planning on going to Lake Tahoe. My doctor wasn't concerned with the elevation change she just wasn't happy with me being far away from the hospital. I went anyway, and I'm glad I did because I didn't have my baby for another 3 weeks!

I lived at 2400 ft (Sonora) and would travel to 4 ft (Sacramento) up until the very end of my pregnancy. I think it would only matter how comfortable it will be for you to travel- all the sitting and needing the restroom every few minutes. :)

I can't tell you what you should do, motion sickness, the climate changes, that can affect anyone. My sis lives in the mountains, and she got sick a few times from coming down. The environment your used to, won't be the same when you travel elsewhere.

Hello,

I don't know about traveling to lower elevations, but I will offer one bit of advice about traveling while pregnant. I don't know if you are planning on flying or driving, but most airlines have rules about traveling in the 3rd trimester. Having said that, I would caution against a long car trip at this stage in your pregnancy unless your doctor approves. We took a long car trip (Sac to San Diego) when I was 24 weeks pregnant, and it ended up putting me into preterm labor. Apparently the vibrations from riding in the car that long was not good. The doctors in San Diego were able to stop my labor, but it was very scary.

It seems to me that traveling to Palm Springs would be fine, but I would check with your OB.

Good Luck!
A.

Hi M.,
I also live in the Sierra Mtns and I went down to the bay area in my 8th month. It really depends on how your pregnancy is going, so ask your Dr. first. Also, I would suggest carrying a copy of your health records from your OB/GYN. This way, if you go into early labor, you'll have paperwork with you for the hospital you go to.
Good luck!
A.

I moved from san francisco to kansas and drove through Vail, Colorado on the way, in my 8th month of pregnancy. Vail is 10,000 feet. I didn't have any problems while traveling except for the need to stop often and stretch, use the bathroom, etc.

My son was born a couple weeks early BUT I think it was more from all the moving boxes and unpacking them and shifting furniture around and stuff like that. Not the actual travel.

I also went to Laughlin from Los Angeles when I was only 2 weeks away from my due date with my oldest. Again I had no problems with the traveling except for the needing potty breaks.

I would however take the other suggestions of asking your doctor about it before you travel. You might also want to take the suggestion of checking with your insurance of what they cover and what they don't. All of the ones I know of will cover all emergency medical care even if you are out of the "service" area.

Just a guess, but I don't think it's a problem. Our bodies are meant to adapt to change and protect our babies. Going to high elevation would mean less oxygen, but you're doing the reverse, so breath in the extra O while you're there.

If it were me, I think I'd be ok with going on a trip. I've had 4 children & never felt I had to lay low unless I felt like it. My advice would be just listen to your body, it speaks in its own way & you can hear it best. :-)

Hi M.,

I was also 8 month pregrent with my third child, when I traveld to Los Angeles by plane. I was concerned but knowing the fact the plane ride was only a little over an hour long. I hope this help.

Good luck,
M.

Hello Mayakia,
My name is S.. I am a wife and stay at home mother of one beautiful 19 month old boy. He, like your children was a week overdue. During my pregnancy I used "What to expect when your expecting" as my Bible. It did say in numerous chapters that traveling out of your comfort elevation was not recommended. I however did have a baby shower at sea level in my eighth month and everything was fine, but the book also warns more importantly against plane travel so late in your pregnancy due to the rapid change in elevation. You obviously do what you feel comfortable with, but thought I would share my experience.
Good Luck!!

Airlines do not permit you to travel past 35 weeks. I discovered this during my pregnancy when I had to travel at 32 weeks. I carried a note from my doctor saying that it was alright for me to travel. They might not ask, but I was afraid I wouldn't be able to get home again if anyone raised any questions. If your doctor says its ok and you are feeling up to it, then go for it.

I travelled to higher elevations (the opposite of you) and had a misscarriage after severe elevation sickness. I'm not trying to scare you but you should talk to your doctor about severe elevation changes during pregnancy...elevation changes can be a factor.

Hi M.,
I traveled back east in my 8th month, I consulted my doctor before traveling. The issue she said with traveling so close to your due date is rather or not you can get medical care if you go into labor. I read online (www.babycenter.com) that some airlines won't allow you to fly after your 7th month, but no one asked me how far long I was into my pregnancy. I think you just need to have your doctor on alert and know where the nearest hospital is where you are staying.

I'm assuming by "the hill" you mean that you live in Tahoe?

I live in the Bay Area and we have a timeshare in Tahoe. I was 8 months pregnant when we were scheduled to go on our yearly vacation up there. My doctor told me absolutely I could not go. He said that traveling to/from high elevations in a short period of time was bad for the pregnancy. If I were traveling up to Tahoe and going to spend a couple of months there, and then come back, it would have been ok. But because I was only going for a few days he advised against it. My family went on that trip without me.

Hope that helps!

I wanted to go to LA in my 8th month of pregnancy from Truckee and the only avice my doctor had against it was to advise against it incase I had the baby early. I did start dialating at 36 weeks (and had the baby at 38 weeks) so I never took the trip and the furthest I went was Reno. He never menetioned anything about a change in altitude affecting things though.

they tell once you have two children the third child comes quickly and less advance notice if you know what I mean. you should know your body by now ask your child inside you

Hi! I have a 10 month old and traveled my whole pregnancy. Right up until 2 weeks before she came. I lived in San Diego and my boyfriend lived here. So every other week, we would plan trips to see each other...he would come down to SD and I would fly up to SJ. So, I was flying about once a month. And we did this right up until the month of my due date. Then a month before my due date, we did the final travel to move me to SJ. I asked my doctor about flying all the time and he said that it was okay up until 4 weeks before your due date. Basically, just for concerns of delivering while you are on vacation. But, I had no problems with traveling at all. My doctor also told me to just make sure that I was comfortable the whole time and to just watch my comfort level. All and all, I had no problem with it. Good Luck!

Hi Mykaia!

Congratulations on your growing family! How wonderful for you!

About traveling, it is my understanding that once you're in the 8 month, it's the DOCTOR who won't let you go. You may want to double-check with him/her.

Also, as you probably know, each baby usually comes faster and eaiser, and sometimes a little earlier.

I know you want to go somewhere "pre-baby", but please be careful that you're making the right decision for yourself.

Good Luck!

:o) N.

Well... I guess it would be best to ask your doctor to be sure, but a friend of mine lives in Denver (which is a mile high, after all!), and came out to California during her 8th month for Thanksgiving. Everything went fine. Her baby was born in January and he is healthy and adorable! But, your doctor will know for sure if it is safe for you.

Here's something to consider: your health plan may not cover delivery costs if you leave their service area during late pregnancy and for some reason deliver/need to deliver while away. For example, a person involved in a car accident (heaven forbid) requires emergency delivery of the baby. The baby portion might not be covered if the person is out of the health plan area.

I never even considered elevation when I traveled while pregnant. I didn't travel to the mountains once because there was a storm on the way and I didn't want to risk being snowed-in. But I never heard of elevation issues.

Good luck.

I am not aware of anything regarding elevation changes triggering labour. I think the main problem is that a huge change in elevation (more than 5000 feet, usually going up) in your third trimester is associated with blood clots (DVTs) I was in hawaii my third trimester and not allowed to travel to the top of any of the volcanos, for example.

Good luck

Not sure what elevations you are talking about but while I have heard that it can cause you to go into labor, I tried it with two of my three pregnancies and it did not work. I lived at about 7000ft and would travel to lower elevations right up until delivery and never had any problems.

LOL, I'm not sure which "hill" you are on but as far as I know there are no really high places in California. I am sure that travling from 1000 feet to sea level will be perfectly fine!
I just went to Montana for 2 weeks, that was a move from 28 feet to 6000 feet.
I have also flown from Alaska to CA at 38 weeks pregnant.
Are you driving? then the slow rate of decent and accent back home should be totally fine.
IF you are truely this concerned, just ask your OB / midwife what they think.
While you are traveling, make sure you stop often to stretch and walk around. Also make sure to stay well hydrated!

Have fun!