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2nd Trimester
first time flying pregnant /uncomfortable. questions/Ideas?
I flew from Chicago to Miami yesterday. American Airlines put me in the last row, middle seat. I was kicked to the back because of the overflow of passengers. I asked to not be seated so close to the back and I was told that it couldn't be helped. There are no amenities offered for pregnancy. Of course, as the plane idled, and the smell of jet fuel filled the back row, I started to throw up. My seat mates were disgusted, and I understand why. Then we sat on the tarmac for a while, and had to use the bathroom. I was barred from using the bathroom until one of the flight attendants actually realized I wasn't lying when I said I was pregnant. Sigh.
Flight was ok, but generally speaking, I didn't feel good the entire flight. I drank a liter of water, and ate a banana and some carrots but felt very bleeech.
When I got off, another passenger told me that AA was supposed to put me in the bulkhead because they have some sort of rule about pregnant passengers not flying the last row. Does anyone know if that's true? Also, this passenger said they were supposed to give me a pillow to put between my belly and the seat belt, so that at landing, I wouldn't have that pressure when the plane touched ground. Is this true? Or is this just good common sense? We had a hard landing, so I braced myself with my arms on the seat in front of me, versus letting the belt tighten around my stomach/abdomen.
On the good side of things, TSA didn't flip out when I opted out of the bodyscanner. But it was funny when I was asked if any part of my body was sore. I told the scanner my breasts hurt like hell, so please don't go crazy with the pat down. She thought that was funny. Didn't touch my breasts at all.
Should I be bringing my own stomach pillow when I fly? I've read up a lot on flying while pregnant, but I haven't read what this one passenger referred to.
Ideas?
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Re: first time flying pregnant /uncomfortable. questions/Ideas?
I have never ever heard of any of the parts where the Airline was supposed to do anything special for a pregnant person. I have flown a lot it my life even at 34 weeks pregnant and heard nothing like this. You can ask for different seating but they are not required to give it to you, if another passenger wants to offer their seat that's different but they do not cater to a pregnant person.
I have never heard of the stomach pillow thing.
Ditto. Their website doesn't even say anything https://www.aa.com/i18n/travelInformation/specialAssistance/travelingWhilePregnant.jsp
How far along are you? I am not aware of any special accomodations for pregnant women nor do I think there needs to be any. During the time you would be most uncomfortable (the last weeks) most doctors recommend you don't fly anyway. Watch how much you drink prior to flying to avoid going to the restroom during a time where walking is not allowed on the plane. As for the pillow thing, I can't imagine where this comes from. You wear a seat belt in the car right without a pillow on your belly? So why is this any different? The only other thing I can suggest is to book your flights early and pay the extra fee to reserve a seat on the aisle or window if it would make you more comfortable than a middle seat.
I used to work for an airline, and there weren't any rules for pregnant passengers. Only those with infants, lap children and children.
You can certainly make a request before boarding, though, but may find that most attendants won't be helpful (phenomonally bad pay with insane amount of responsibility = bad attitudes and why I quit. Co-workers were more rude than ANY encounter I ever had with a passenger -- but I digress). One thing I did notice was if someone I worked with was a mom and she was helping a traveler who was expecting or had children in tow she would go out of her way to make her travel easier by changing seating, boarding, even waving fees to change flights if possible, etc. While there is no way to know the parenthood status of who is helping you, finding someone who will be sympathetic to your situation definitely helps.
Other than that, if it's an option with that airline, check-in online for your flight as soon as you can and request seat assignment then.
Sorry I can't offer anything more useful and I hope you have a more pleasant experience on your return trip!
I recently had to fly JFK to SFO & back and was unable to book anything but a middle seat online without paying an additional fee. I called the airline about a week ahead of time (for this flight it was Jet Blue) and explained to the agent that I was trying to select a seat online but that only middle seats were available. I explained to her that I was pregnant and that I just wanted to see if there were any other seats available as I knew that I would be up more than an average number of times to use the restroom and I didn't want to overly inconvenience those around me. She said they have specific rows blocked out for 'special needs' patients and she gave me a seat in one of those rows on the aisle.
I am certainly not a fan of pulling the 'pregnancy card' and to be honest, this is actually the first time I've ever done it. I just couldn't imagine trying to take a red eye and climb over sleeping passengers a million times to get to the restroom and thankfully, I stumbled upon a really kind agent on the phone. I would suggest giving the airline a call a few days prior to the flight. The worst thing they can do is say no.
BFP#1 10 wk missed mc
BFP#2 DS born at 40+2 on 8/14/12 BFP#3 DD Born at 39+3 on 5/13/14
I didn't think airlines made special accomodations....except maybe if you would take longer to be seated, they might seat you when they seat families with kids.
I flew 2 weeks ago on American from Boston to Chicago. I flew another airline back and was more comfortable (more room). I was considering asking the attendants for help with putting my bag in the overheard bin since I had been having some back twinges a couple days before I flew...but I just packed lighter and with a smaller suitcase than normal. I didn't drink all that much on the flight (never used a plane restroom, nor do I intend to if I can help it) since it was short. I had a dr's appt the day after my return flight and she asked if I was keeping hydrated...I totally fessed up that I didn't the past couple days because I was flying and she agreed that it was really hard to stay hydrated while travelling and said it was ok as long as I wasn't dizzy. She is 37 weeks pregnant with her second so I trust her.
I did think it as kind of social expirement to see if anyone would offer to help me at any point (if I really needed it, I would have asked) and no one did. Just thought it was interesting.
I fly for business several times a month. I have not heard of any special accommodations for pregnant moms flying, only that the airlines get worried with women flying in their last month of pregnancy. They may require you to get a doctor's note before flying.
As with many pregnancy costs, you have to consider the extra cost of buying a premium seat when flying nowadays. Consider it a cost of pregnancy that you will need to buy a premium economy seat, with extra leg room as a part of your flying. I am lucky in that I have racked up enough miles that I can board the plane early and get a premium economy seat as a part of my status.
I used to bring my luggage onboard with me, but now that I am pregnant I check my luggage. I also try to get a seat near the aisle, for easy access to the bathroom and to walk once and a while. My legs have started to get swollen when sitting for too long. I also suggest buying your own water to drink while on the plane. I haven't used a stomach pillow before. Never heard of needing one.
I also looked up info on the TSA scanners and they report pregnant women are fine to go through the scanners.
I am looking to limit my travel now that I am having swelling in my legs. So, I am looking for flights under 3 hours at a time.
I travel for work. When I was pretty far along with DS, I asked for a pillow and was told I had to pay something like $16 for one. I folded up my jacket and put it behind my back. Now I know to bring a small travel pillow with me. Did you not pick your seat when you bought your ticket? I have never been bumped from my seat on AA when I selected it in advance. Plus you get offered to change your seat when you check in, if you want.
In the future, if you are stuck in the middle you might try to ask the person on the aisle if they will switch you since you are pregnant and will need to get up to go the bathroom a couple of times during the flight. I would probably do it for pregnant woman if the flight was full.