Flying

jeoberly

In a couple of weeks, I fly to NH I will be 11 weeks then. Any tips or advice for getting through the airport or the flight?

anglgrl718

Have you never flown before? If you have it should be just the same as when your not pregnant. If you haven't flown before get to the airport an hour or 2 before your flight so you can get bags checked and through security in time. Definitely wear comfy shoes, you'll be on your feel alot. If it's a long flight get food after you get through security. They won't let you bring any through so you have to buy it after. But at that point you can bring it with on the plane. Definitely get yourself some snacks, i find I'm always hungriest when there's no food around, lol! Umm, other than that I can't think of anything, maybe bring a pillow with you to be more comfortable on the plane.

mnspringbride

I fly very frequently, and my last few flights while PG were surprisingly difficult. Things that saved me:

- Dramamine Less Drowsy Formula (doctor ok'd!)

- Sea Bands (wristbands with anti-nausea pressure points)

- Snacks (in particular, salty crunchy snacks that make the least amount of annoying noise as possible - i.e., crackers rather than kettle chips)

- Brita water bottle (bring it empty, and fill it up at a water fountain or water bottle fill-up. It filters the water)

- Comfy clothes - leggings, tank top, and an open-front sweater that's easy to remove if you overheat. 

- Comfy easy shoes - I wear Birkenstocks and pack thick socks in case it's chilly on the plane. 

- Pashmina - packs light, works as a scarf, doubles as a blanket.

- A good book, or a few magazines. I go back on forth between wanting to get some serious reading in, and just zoning out with a fashion or entertainment magazine. 

- Good music or an audiobook on your phone. Especially if you get nauseous reading. Don't forget your earbuds!

Have a great trip!!!

Cricket99

I second the Dramamine and drinking tons of water. I usually get dehydrated when I fly and it seemed to be a little magnified when I flew a few weeks ago. Also, bring lots of snacks that you know you can stomach because you never know what will be available at the airport. Good luck and safe travels!

amargaret24

I fly a ton for work. Am currently in Australia and flying all around this fine country. Flight to Perth was a total of 19 hours. Ugh!!!!!! I second all the PP's said about sea bands, snacks, water, entertainment. Depending on the airline you're flying, they have on-air entertainment. Some which you need to download an app for. I try to read on planes but with my nausea it's nuts. So I try and watch TV if possible. (Southwest, Delta, Virgin and AA have options). Walk around if you can, it's good to keep moving and blood flow going. Also - I'm usually a window person but have been sitting in aisles lately and it's awesome. I don't have to bother anyone when I get up.... which is a lot!

laschub

DH and I just booked our official 3-week honeymoon (which is now being renamed our babymoon - we didn't waste any time!).  I'll be 22 weeks when we leave, and the longest flight I'll be dealing with is 7.5 hours.  So far I think all I need to be worried about is getting up enough during the flight to stretch my legs and keep the blood flowing.  I might go ahead and get some of those circulation socks to help out.

I already checked the airline that we're flying with and they don't need a doctor's note for pregnant women no matter how far along they are, but I'll get a note anyway JIC.

Sovvy

It's just the same as flying when not pregnant. I always choose to opt out of the backscatter and go for a pat down, pregnant or not.

BethP321

This kind of a correction to the first poster. You can bring your own snacks in, just not liquids. I always bring a box of Ritz Bits or something else and shove it in my carry on. The prices are way too much inside the airport. I am flying in 3 weeks and I will be 15 weeks. I am asking my OB if she has any advice for me but otherwise flying is just the same as if you're not pregnant. It's safe to fly until you get into your third trimester I believe. When I'm going through security, I am going to ask if I can get a pat down instead of going through the scanning machines (I have heard they are safe, but I am not taking any more risk than I have to). I know they can let me bypass the machines because when I brought my cat through security, they forced me to hold him in my arms during the process because it would be dangerous for him to go through the xray.

jessiedonnie

I'm 9w1d and I flew on Sunday, and will fly again on Saturday. My doc ok'd everything before the trip, and I am on Zofran for nausea, so I made sure to pack my prenatals, tylenol, zofran, and immodium (I'm see-sawing back and forth between the loosey goosey and the totally compacted) in my carry on bag. My flights were 45 min and 1 hr 20, so I didn't get up and walk, but I did make sure to move my feet around. 

It's already been said, but the major difference for me between flying preggers and not was the dehydration. I seriously went through an olympic sized pool full of water throughout the day, and I just couldn't seem to get enough. I took a nap after lunch when we landed, and have been fine ever since. 

My doc also told me some airlines require a clearance letter for preggers to fly, so if you're only 11 weeks and not showing, I wouldn't mention it. I've heard horror stories of them not allowing people on a flight. Or have your doc write a letter to hang on to just in case.

Good luck, and have fun!

TacoSarah

I just flew transatlantic at 21 weeks. I wore compression socks and got up and moved around every hour. As your blood is thicker during pregnancy you are more susceptible to DVT. I drank a lot of water, which helped with getting up and moving seeing as I needed the restroom every single minute.

The day flight was ok, but the return night flight was the worst. I got RLS and swelling caused my CTS in both arms to get worse so I looked like a crazy person with my legs twitching and shaking my arms around.

Definitely take your own snacks and one of those neck pillow things.

ash13yF

Make sure to get up often or do some leg pumps (move your feet towards & away from your shin- like an in air calf raise) to get good blood flow to your legs. You have a higher risk for blood clots when pregnant. But flying is perfectly safe! Have a great trip!

jeoberly

Are the scanners safe to go under?