Airports while pregnant

Rainbow17 · June 2014

Planning on taking a babymoon. Was wondering if anyone had any negative experiences during the security checkpoint. Will they allow you to opt for a pat down instead of the scanner? I have middle eastern features so I always get a lot of shit at the airport. I wonder if asking to not go through the scanner will end up making me look more suspicious, therefore, getting more shit.

Starfish17 · June 2014

They do let you "opt out" of the full body scanner and do a pat down instead - just let them know. I've also had them let me just go through the regular metal detector when I've notified them that I'm pregnant, rather than do the full body scanner, so they may let you do that as well.

Leysin97 · June 2014

I had no problem going through. I just opted out and told them I was pregnant. They did a pat down. It was fairly simple. Just more time consuming. I do look obviously pregnant though.

golfingdarwinfish · June 2014

I travel internationally quite often for work and I've had no issues opting for a pat down, which I've done since I discovered I was pregnant and (obviously) wasn't even showing. It does add about 10 - 20min to the security process though because sometimes it takes a bit to find a female agent to perform the pat down. Most of the agents have either rushed through the process or made conversation with me re: pregnancy.

GinnyJ2012 · June 2014

I flew to CO when I was 15 weeks and went through the scanner because my OB said it was fine. It was very crowded that day and I didn't want to wait for the pat down. They will allow you to not go through the scanner though.

Dani0329 · June 2014

I had no trouble on our Babymoon, just told them I was pregnant and preferred to opt out. They are thorough, but I don't mind.

muenginerd · June 2014

I flew at 6 weeks and asked to opt out, not looking pregnant at all. The TSA was nice to try and explain the scanner to me. I was nice and polite back and and agreed with him but said I would still feel better with a pat down. No problems with it at all. Key thing is just to be polite but firm on your stance.

Technically, all scanners in the US have been replaced with newer models that emit radition lower than that you are exposed to while flying longer trips. So yes you're safe going through the scanner. If you like to error on the side of caution and still want a pat down that's fine too.

As for going on a babymoon, enjoy it. I'm an experienced traveler and have found my last couple trips have taken more out of me than normal. Other girlfriends can't fly at all, their LO's hate it and make them miserable. I would recommend possibly having a day off after you get home just in case you need it to recover.

MrsDevineAR · June 2014

I flew for our babymoon two weeks ago. They did the full body scanner once. In all honesty you get more radiation from your phone than the scanner. All of the other flight connections, I went through the metal detectors.

argonne · June 2014

You always have the option of a pat down over the scanner, pregnant or not. Having said that, it is perfectly fine to go through the scanner while pregnant. The scanners only use a radio frequency, not x-ray radiation. I traveled a lot this pregnancy for work and play. I have gone through the scanners pretty much every time, unless I get the TSA pre-check.

tbarker14 · June 2014

I just got back from our vacation and I just told the TSA agent that I'm pregnant and would not want to go through the scanner. I had no issues with waiting to go through and having the pat down. On my way back home the TSA agent from mexico was like it's not an issue. I just told him I rather not and I also had a note from my dr saying not to go through. (that helped although I didn't even have to show it)... if you are concerned about getting unfair treatment perhaps having a note from the dr would help.
Have fun on your trip!

FirstatForty · June 2014

I just flew and asked at the airport if they were safe. As 'Argonne' says, te full body scanners don't use X-ray so she said its safe but I shouldn't go thru X-ray machines. When I was flying back from the foreign country I just told them I was pregnant and they immediately told me not to go thru the X-ray machine and had me walk to the side where a female agent did a very quick light pat down. It's your option and you should do what makes you comfortable.

nilvero · June 2014

I just flew back from Puerto Rico and the TSA agent sent me through the metal detector rather than the scanner. She did this without asking and said they do it for pregnant women.

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