Flying next week - any tips while pregnant??

ludali

I have to fly for work next week - and will be in my 9th week...  I usually take plenty of Airborne leading into a flight, but have read to not use it during pregnancy.  I will take the usual precaustions - hand sanitizer and stay plenty hydrated - but any other tips/tricks that can be shared?  I hope my prenatal has boosted my immune system enough that I won't pick up anyone's cold!!

Thanks!!

tokenhoser

It's really not a big deal at this point. Many moms-to-be opt for the freedom frisk over the full body scanner. Get up and stretch every hour or so if it's a long flight. Drink water.

Scheuchzer03

I ended up flying over the holidays as I hadn't expected to be pregnant. btwn wk 6 and 8. I was ok with the body scan because it was more comfortable than having someone touch me when I was so newly aware of my changing body...

Travel essentials:
large scarf or shall for keeping the chill off
Chapstick
big SmartWater after thru security for my bag
granola and/or almonds
wet wipes and hand sani
tissues

Move around when you can and have a safe flight. Keep clear of the open mouth coughers whenever possible and you will be fine!!

Travel safe! Oh! And the site "Smart Women Traveler Pearls of Travel Wisdom" is a great resource for female travelers with awesome suggestions and warnings to keep us all safe.

boymamaco

Since finding out I was pregnant I've flown to NYC, SF and Hawaii. I'm back in SF now and will be flying to Salt Lake City next week. Luckily I live in Denver so I'm centrally located. The only precautions I take are to do a pat down instead of the security Xray and I get up and walk around every 30 minutes or so to keep the blood flowing. Definitely try to get an aisle seat. Have a good trip!

hbenevides

you can go through the security check just not the new xray thing they are using now.....find a seat with good leg room.....whenever i fly i go to the courtesy desk and ask to have a special boarding pass to board first since i am pregnant and need extra leg room....also bring a bottle of water and some hard candies/gum.

davisislands

Should not be a big deal.....also, my Dr. told me yesterday I could still take Airborne.....

crogers19

Try wearing compression socks, they will help with any swelling. Also, you are at a greater risk for blood clots being pregnant so try to get up every once and a while and do a lap down the aisle. 

fritz799

I fly at least once a month, and I've never been through one of those scanners.  

I don't know that the machines are unsafe, but I do know that the TSA won't be there holding my hand if I do have a problem and think it was caused by their machine. 

There's not been a lot of testing, and those machines are banned in Europe.  The TSA has also been very cagey about holding legally-required public hearings. (I sound like a conspiracy weirdo, I know.  I'm actually a reasonably conservative lawyer). 

If you want to refuse, just politely say "I'm opting for a pat down," when you get to the front of the line.  They're pressing people a little more now--but they can't make you go through it.  

BTW--"freedom frisk" is hilarious.  My husband and I call it the "super secret feel-up."

 

jrtmom:

I specifically asked my OB if the new x-ray body scanner thing was safe to go through and she said yes.  Have you all heard otherwise?

laabeja

Yup, the week after I went through a back scatter scan with my first pregnancy there was a big article abut how TSA had most of the machines set on too high of a level that could potentially pose a risk. Even after my pregnancy I refuse to go through any of the machines. Too much unknown and I'm usually on the other side of this type of debate. I guess the bits that are known haven't been positive enough for me. Plus I just dont trust that must TSA folks really know abut the science and handling the machines. Now that I'm pregnant again - no way!

ktbear9512

Thanks for posting this I'm traveling next week for work too and appreciate all the ideas. I also wasn't planning on going through the body scanners, just because I'd rather be safe than sorry and there really isn't a lot of research on them yet. Just my preference though.