Tips for air travel?

marijaa333

Hi all,

My work involves a lot of travel, often to places 5-12 time zones away. Normally, I pack light and just make sure to hydrate and get as much sleep as possible during the flights and on arrival. However, this is my first pregnancy and I have no idea what to expect, from airports, to flying, to things I should bring with me that I normally wouldn't think of -- basically, I'm clueless and a little afraid of something happening while I'm on the road and not being prepared.

Does anyone else travel a lot for work, and if, so do you have any advice, either from this pregnancy or a previous one?

Thanks!

Samuelismomma

I traveled when pregnant to USA from Albania . I can tell you that for some reason it spurned car sickness or m/s ..not sure so you might want to pack Dramamine or something that is safe to take. Only happened pregnant. I also would make sure you hydrate like crazy the night before flight too. I also wished my seat was closer to bathroom , all the fluids and pregnancy I had to get up and go a lot ..lol oh and don't sit longer than 1 1/2 without moving around....good luck!

marijaa333

Samuelismomma! The tip to sit close to the bathroom is a great one and I wouldn't have thought of that (in fact, I usually actively try to avoid those seats). And thanks for the reminder to keep some dramamine handy!

Samuelismomma

@marijaa333‌ your very welcome! I try to avoid them seats too...uhh big mistake lol...I remember getting off the plane...running past everyone in the airport to throw up..barely made it.i think they thought I was crazy;) ..hahaha...but great story to tell!

marijaa333

Samuelismomma Ha! Well, let them think whatever they want. Hmm, perhaps a wide-mouth, opaque, empty nalgene bottle wouldn't go astray either... 

NeonNoon

+1 on keep moving.

Not a frequent flier here, but I know that the risk of DVT goes up while pregnant.  (It seems like the risk of everything bad goes up with pregnancy, huh?)  My OB said to take frequent breaks if on a road trip too.

marijaa333

Most definitely. I will discuss baby aspirin with my OB.
I've had clots twice in the past while on the pill (and as a result promptly got off the pill in my early 20s).

BeckyP005

Idk maybe compression socks/hose for long flights? Def get up and walk around during the flight. I don't envy you!!

marijaa333

Good idea, thanks @BeckyP005‌ !

Lady2010

I also recommend compression socks - used those on my recent flight to Italy and will use them for any future flights longer than an hour and a half.  

In addition to drinking lots of water, getting up and stretching/walking, etc I would suggest packing a few snacks - crackers, almonds or whatever you like in case you have delays or get hungry.  In addition, definitely wear very comfy clothes and sneakers (to the extent you can - hard to do if you are landing and going straight to meetings).  And of course now is the time to check luggage rather than carrying on - you will be amazed at how much more quickly you feel tired.

RE: time zone change - get extra rest before and after...if you can, plan your trips so you don't land after an overnight flight and go straight to a meeting, Try to plan a half day or day of recovery - or at least maybe a shorter day upon arrival so you can get rest earlier.  I found that I definitely feel the effects more.

OH - and you may want to bring eye drops and more important saline nose spray... I have found in pregnancy that my nose gets stuffier more easily and I am more prone to getting a bloody nose - using the saline spray helps mitigate this.

Finally, each OB is different.  My RE and OB told me that since I fly relatively frequently - I have had 3 or so trips a month since we got pregnant - that I should opt out of screening and opt for a pat-down vs the scanners (regular metal detectors are ok).  Again, all OBs vary on their opinion on this, and maybe my RE and OB are erring on the side of caution given it wasn't easy for us to get pregnant.  If you do decide to opt out - be aware you will need extra time (sometimes the TSA agents get cranky about this) and also you probably don't want to wear a skirt / dress as it just makes it more uncomfortable.

flyinmommy

I travelled every three weeks this pregnancy. Coast to coast trips. I had no issues. Keep well hydrated, have an aisle seat so you can get up and walk every hour, wear compression stockings for circulation and pack snacks.

darby17

Since you have a history of blood clots, I would talk to your OB about that. I was diagnosed with a DVT at 29 weeks, right after a flight across country. I thought I was getting up out of my seat often enough, but apparently not. You may already be pre-disposed to clots, so be careful. Stay hydrated and definitely compression socks.  I had no history of clots. I knew there was a risk but never thought it would happen to me.  Good luck!

airyelle

So glad you asked the question!  I never get sick on planes but last week I noticed myself getting a bit nauseous just as we were taking off.  Now I think I know why!  I have an hour flight for work every other week or so.  Hopefully I can get a seat closer to the bathroom if I tell them what is going on.  Good luck to you!

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mdogan29

Great advice everyone!! I rarely fly, but I remember OB saying something about not traveling after 30-something weeks (I know you have quite a ways to go). And for people that have trouble w/ blood clots, but as long as you can get up often and walk around you should be all right! (b/c of my MTHFR gene mutation, there's a higher chance of blood clots), but I told her I wasn't expecting to fly at all during this pregnancy.  Just tell them you're pregnant and they should be cool w/ you walking around, right?

I also read somewhere that frequent fliers have a higher risk of radiation exposure which can be dangerous during pregnancy, but not sure how often you're flying!  (this is mainly for flight attendants & pilots, unless you fly out every week!).  The only other issue is if you have high blood pressure.

marijaa333

Yes, radiation is a concern. Flying at night helps a lot. My past clots had nothing to do with movement, so while I'm sure it can't hurt to walk around, I will definitely look into compression stockings and ask about baby aspirin. The good thing is that I know exactly what a clot feels like in its early stages (mild calf pain, which gets worse with walking, esp. up stairs) so even if it does happen, I think I'll have enough warning to see a doc. Of course, I'd rather avoid it altogether!

mdogan29

How long into pregnancy do you plan to keep traveling, etc.? Are you going to be able to not travel and still be able to work or have to take early maternity leave?

marijaa333

@mdogan29‌ I have no idea! I will try to avoid it but lots of other pregnant women around here seem to travel at least until the end of their second trimester. I'll ask my OB all about this - I've started a list of questions based on all the helpful tips in this thread!

junismum

Hi, I have found my blood pressure (or lower oxygen or something) gets too low (on some flights and not others - not sure why) is my main problem with flying. I drink a lot of water, I get up and move around a lot,(the water helps with that - ha ha)  or stand up holding my seat (definately and aisle seat) and stretch my legs up and down for a good few minutes every hour if I can. It seems to work better. I now know the signs I am about to faint and can call the attendant before it happens - rather than land splat in the aisle like I did the first time. (it did score me the back row of 4 seats to sleep out the rest of the flight once I got off the oxygen tank - so silver lining).

Other times, I'm just fine and the only precaution I take is the funny stockings.

Happy travels....