You might have heard about the mother who gave birth on a Southwest Airlines plane this month. When I heard about it, my first reaction was, “what the hell was she doing on a MF plane in her third trimester?!?” I mean, common sense? Ha ha ha.
Cut to me boarding a plane because of a family emergency (an honest to God emergency) at 9 1/2 months pregnant last week. Yes, with 3 weeks to go me and my belly boarded a – you guessed it – Southwest Airlines flight. Yikes!
Just the sight of me scared the living you-know-what out of just about everyone I came in to contact with. Of course I traveled with the consent of my doctor, but believe you me, it was risky. I wouldn’t recommend it.
That said, I don’t think I’ve ever been treated better while flying. I got a choice seat because they let me board early – “temporary handicap”, they called my condition. I got so many offers of help…help with my bag, did I need any snacks, how about another drink, do you need the restroom, how are you feet – do you need to move around…all sorts of very concerned flight attendants AND passengers. The guy sitting next to me even wanted to know if the smell of alcohol would bother me and if it was OK if he ordered a scotch. I mean, talk about compassion!
And the jokes! Upon take off someone’s water spilled in the overhead compartment and the guy across the aisle from me said, “that makes one water break, we don’t want another one, do we?” Lots of snickers. Lots of nervous laughter…
As it turned out I didn’t have my baby on board any of the planes I traveled on. I arrived, intact and all still in one body, back home safe and sound after a very stressful, very heart-wrenching trip home.
Like I said, it was risky but I wouldn’t change my decision to go back and be with my family for a minute. Some times you gotta do what you gotta do. But I still say I wouldn’t recommend it.
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