Flying

pupluv0410

What have you heard about flying while pregnant? We are planning a trip to Disney World while I am 26 weeks. Is that too late in pregnancy to fly?

TigerCakes

In general, my doctor will allow you to fly up until 36 weeks as long as you don't have complications.  So I think you should be fine, but I'd ask your doctor if you're worried.

bb89012

I flew a handful of times with DD until about 32 weeks. Definitely fine just a little uncomfortable sometimes  

jlemons-2

Generally speaking it is fine.  However, you might have quite a bit of swelling so compression socks help!  I would be worried about walking around that huge park while pregnant.  Exhausting! But seriously, have fun.

mdcd44127

I'll also flying be at 26 weeks for a work conference, my doctor said "go for it" and just advised me to get up and walk around during the flight, possibly wear compression socks (but it's a short flight, so I should be fine). Enjoy Disney!

peachy13

26 weeks is fine but just double check with your doctor as well as the airline. Some airlines have restrictions but I think it's only if you're 4 weeks away from your due date or closer, which you won't be. Have fun!

Piccola1988

I think you'll be fine.  I've taken 3 roundtrip flights so far (5-6 weeks, 7-8 weeks, 17-18 weeks), I'm flying this weekend at 22 weeks, and I'll fly at least one more time at 29 weeks.  Just drink lots of water and get up to stretch your legs (which shouldn't be an issue because the water will probably make you have to pee anyway).  If you're high risk your doctor may tell you not to fly once you hit the third trimester, and otherwise it's usually something like 34-36 weeks.  Call the doctor's office if you're concerned but I can't imagine it being an issue at 26 weeks.  Have fun!

Tennis11785

I'm 21 weeks and I flew this week.  My doctor told me it was fine, since I have no complications.  It wasn't a super-long flight - 1.5 hour flight followed by a couple hour drive.  I wore compression socks both ways. I intended to get up and walk around the plane 1/2 through, but on the way there it was too much turbulence and they never turned off the seatbelt light.  I'd bring a water bottle you can refill - I tried to be really mindful of my water intake and I still felt dehydrated after the flights.  

kyrwyn

Plan extra time to get through security if you decide to decline the 1mm scan.  I have flown twice in this pregnancy (to/from Indy and to/from SF) and have not had shorter than a 20min extra wait while TSA tries to find the one female pat-down-trained officer hiding somewhere in the entire airport.  

I second the recommendation to stay hydrated. It's not easy, but it's worth the extra effort.

mdcd44127

@kyrwyn You make an excellent point, I hadn't even thought about that security scan. I'll definitely have to be mindful of that when I head to the airport in a couple weeks.

Tennis11785

Oh, yeah.  Good point @kyrwyn about the pat down.  I also requested a pat down, although I didn't have nearly the wait you did!   20 minutes is crazy, but unfortunately doesn't surprise me.  Definitely leave yourself time.  

MJDsquared

Just jumping in to say the TSA website and my OB both say that the scan is safe for pregnant women. I just go through the scanner. But it all depends on what you're comfortable with!

flowerpower5838

My OB also assured me that the scanner is safe so that's what I do when I fly, but if that makes you uncomfortable definitely request a pat down. I flew flew at 32 weeks pregnant and just made sure to get up occasionally and I also did little leg and feet stretching exercises in my seat.

kyrwyn

@MJDsquared They probably are safe! My OB's opinion is/was that there's insufficient longitudinal data (due to the limited time in use of the devices) to definitively state that they're safe, and so if I had the extra time why not be extra double special careful? (Not his precise wording...)

I think this is a "YMMV" or "to each their own" sort of situation. But as soon as DH had any reason to hold a shred of doubt, he viewed that thing like I would be walking through a literal minefield and was immovably set against it.  

rainbowdashh

I'm on a plane right now (yay plane wifi). I've flown once each pregnancy and other than being a little uncomfortable, it's all been fine! I just make sure I get up every two hours (depending on flight time) and drink lots of water.

KathrynJ088

When I flew in June, they made me skip the circle scanner thing and I went through the traditional metal detector, so did my DH and kids since we were all together. I also wore a preggers related shirt "Twins in the oven" and "Pregnant AF" for each flight, so there really was no mistaking my bump for a food baby.

disneyfan0511

I'm flying at 30 weeks - not too worried as I've flown every pregnancy, up to 34 weeks. Just stay hydrated and move as much as you can. 

YodaIsGreen

Do check with your doctor on this. I had plans to join DH at a conference in a few weeks. However since I have been diagnosed with placenta previa the doctor said that I can't fly or take long road trip and they will increase the risk of bleeding. 

beary67

I agree about checking with your doctor. I'm pregnant with twins and have placenta previa. My deadline to fly was 20 weeks because of this. I flew at 19 weeks and wore compression socks and got up a few times on a 3 hour flight to walk. I think everyone's situation is different, but if you don't have complications, you should be fine. 

And girl, you deserve an award for all the walking your about to do!  

peachy13

Fun story: DH and I went to a destination wedding back in April when I was around 8 weeks pregnant. We were also with my best friend and her husband, and no one at the time knew I was pregnant. We were waiting in line to go through the scanner and there happened to be a pregnant woman a few people in front of me -- I'd guess 6 or 7 months maybe. I saw her speak to a TSA agent and then watched her step aside in line. As I got closer, I discreetly asked her if pregnant women aren't supposed to go through the scanner. She kind of shrugged and said that it was probably fine, but that she'd prefer to be patted down than risk it. It totally freaked me out and she noticed, and asked if I was pregnant. I looked behind me to see my friend occupied, so I nodded and said that I was. There was a hold up at this point in the line so I kind of panicked and it when it was my turn, I pointed at the scanner and asked the TSA agent if it was safe for pregnant women, and he said it yes, so I went through. However, my friend caught this exchange, and asked me about it after we were through security and sitting at the bar (my plan was to order a cranberry juice and claim that I wanted to be refreshed when we arrived at our destination lol), so DH and I kind of looked at each other and gave each other the signal to say it was okay to fill them in on our secret. It was nice finally telling someone! It was good too because there were a few times during the wedding when one of them helped me out with the fake drinking.