FLYING WHILST PREGNANT ???

katybird81 · April 2015

Hello ladies
I live in the UK and am 10 wks pregnant- I have had 3 miscarriage s in the past all before 6 wks - so this one looks like the one !!
My partner is from greece and he wants us to go to visit the family and relax for two weeks in July - I will be 23 wks pregnant , My Dr told me that if all is well with my pregnancy by then there is no reason not to and that as long as I take all the right precocions it is totally safe - what are your thoughts on this ? As my family all made me feel like I would be taking an unnecessary risk ? UK - greece is a 3 hr flight

AnnamariauDoris · April 2015

You can fly until 6 m. After thar from what I understand the company won't let you because it's a risk of premature birth. I might have it wrong but this is what i know.

katybird81 · April 2015

Thanks Anna , my question is more of a Do people think I should ? Do people think its selfish of me or irresponsible to fly ? All of the experts say it's safe to fly in 2nd /3rd trimester ?? But my sister attacked me saying I would be stupid to take the risk ?? Very confused now as ,as far as I knew it's not a risk ????

AnnamariauDoris · April 2015

ok. Sorry. Followed up. Bad info. I read that some companies take you up to 34 w and if you are early like 24-28, you need a paper from your doctor that you can fly. This is the info that I read from some companies.

gumby22c · April 2015

As long as your doctor oks it, there's no reason not to go. Just listen to what s/he recommends, ie walking and stretching legs often, drink water, etc.

I'm planning to fly overseas at 25-27 weeks (US to Spain and back). As long as I haven't had any complications, I'm not really worried about it.

Go enjoy the trip, and unless your family members are of the medical profession specifically OBGYN, I'd tune them out. It's unnecessary stress for you.

lanaloulittle · April 2015

I would do it. Probably a good time go. I don't think flying in itself will cause problems, pregnant women travel all the time. I would ask your Dr if there is any risk involved or find reliable medical sources. Parents and other family members don't know everything about a pregnancy. If there were a huge risk involved, airlines would not allow pregnant women to fly at all. Just drink a lot of water and get up to walk around as much as possible. Go enjoy your trip

TacoSarah · April 2015

I don't see why you can't, I'm flying to Toronto from London at 20 weeks and I fly London to Edinburgh every other week for work and intend to keep doing that if I can until 35 weeks.

Just hydrate well, move around lots and wear compression socks. You should also ask your midwife for a fit to fly note or certificate, some airlines require you to have this and won't let you fly without it. But be aware, even if you have one it's the pilots decision to let you fly on his aircraft.

katybird81 · April 2015

Thank you ladies !! I feel so much better now !! As far as I knew it was safe !! But my family made me feel so guilty ! Happy to hear the majority feel the same as me

Pontot31 · April 2015

There's no reason not to fly if your doctor gives you the green light.
Just get up and move if you can a s stay hydrated.
I have friends who flew weekly until 35 weeks.
3 hours is not long. I'm frequently in the car longer than that with out breaks.

Knottie02551590 · April 2015

I was told the second trimester is the best time to fly! We just booked our Babymoon so we will be flying to Puerto Rico at 21 weeks as long as the pregnancy stays low risk. I don't think it's selfish of you at all! You should enjoy yourself during the months you will be feeling your best. Like everyone said, just make sure you stay hydrated and get up every so often to get your blood flowing. Enjoy!

Barker2+1 · April 2015

I flew to the Bhamas at 7 months pregnant the day we flew home was the absolute last day my dr would approve flying and it was fine. I took a camelback and filled it with water before I got on the flight and made sure to drink on it throughout the entire flight. The flight attendants were awesome even arranged for us to get off the plane first so I wouldn't have to deal with the jostling that happens when folks all try to get off a plane at the same time. I don't. Think it is selfish at all as long as you are having a normal not high risk pregnancy. It may be the last time you get to do something just for you once baby comes traveling becomes a giant pain. I say go for it and get your relax on.

mjfrost821 · April 2015

I just flew to NY last week (2 hour flight) and did just fine. Although being first trimester, my nausea was out of control on the flight back. Just drink lots of water and get up and walk around the plane every hour or so.

jkerouac · April 2015

My ObGyn says it's fine too, he just said that when you're pregnant your immune system can be lower so you might be more likely to pick up a cold ( exactly what happened to me when I flew transatlantic at 6 weeks pregnant ). I'm due to fly again soon and he said I could come in the day before the flight for a check up, perhaps your ObGyn will let you do the same and then you'll be even more reassured. Oh yes and as others have said, really important to walk around, wear flights socks etc. as higher risk of DVT when pregnant.

flufy82 · April 2015

My husband and I both work for a major airline. I flew up to 38 weeks (just personal travel, domestic) with no issues and no note. At 38 weeks I doubt I would've been able to get a note anyway!

The airline agents are not doctors and cannot tell how far along you are unless you go around advertising your due date or showing signs of active labor (duh, why are you at the airport?). We kept it to short flights, no more than 2 hr legs, and made sure any layovers were in a city we wouldn't mind having a baby. I didn't deliver until 42 weeks.

I grew up in an airline family and am more comfortable in an airplane than in a car, but that's just me. It's all about what your comfortable with. I will admit that the baby's position those last few weeks determined my physical comfort on the flight...sitting straight up in that seat with limited options to move was brutal at times with a foot lodged between your ribs!

https://www.americanairlines.ie/intl/ie/travelInformation/travelPregnant.jsp

CarrieOct15 · April 2015

Um, heck yes go to Greece, & take me with you! That sounds so nice. Just follow your doctor's recommendations & you'll be OK.

raven0630 · April 2015

Oh yay that sounds fun!

I'm going to be 14weeks on my vacation and the doctor advised that I get up and walk around when I can on the plane, to prevent from getting blood clots. I'm sure everyone is different though.

Have fun!!!!!!

laleiste · April 2015

I'm taking a long flight to america in June to visit my family so I think I took will be around 14 weeks or so. I think it definitely is fine as long as you get confirmation from your doctor.

Kmohney1 · April 2015

I'm flying at 13w, it's only an hour flight, but my doctor said it was perfectly fine. One thing I forgot to ask about was the body scanners! Not the metal detectors but the full body scanners that show everything. Do you still go through it? I didn't even think about it until now.

ashwise · April 2015

katybird81 said:
Thanks Anna , my question is more of a Do people think I should ? Do people think its selfish of me or irresponsible to fly ? All of the experts say it's safe to fly in 2nd /3rd trimester ?? But my sister attacked me saying I would be stupid to take the risk ?? Very confused now as ,as far as I knew it's not a risk ????

I think it'll be fine. My husband and I are going to Ireland next month, granted it's sooner than you in July- but my doctor said it was fine for me. I live in the US so it'll be a long flight. I think a 3 hour flight should be fine. So long as it's okay by your doctor. How many weeks will you be in July?

Knottie02551590 · April 2015

@Kmohney1 That's a great question and one I want an answer to as well! They say the scanners are safe to go through for pregnant women but I'm a little apprehensive. I may request a pat-down instead just to be safe.

Kmohney1 · April 2015

I read on the TSA blog that it's perfectly safe but you can for sure request a pat down instead. I honestly don't think it's a big deal after reading their info but it's great they give you the alternative. Who knows, the day of travel, you never know where my emotions will take me!

Pontot31 · April 2015

They say the scanners are ok but I requested a pat down last time because I don't think there's enough research on them.

kmmc241 · April 2015

As long as it's oked with the doctor, you're good to go. I flew from NC to Vegas with my first at 5 months and will be flying to Chicago around 5 months this time. The sickness was a little worse than usual for me on take off/landing, but it's safe. I did go through the scanners and DD is perfectly fine, but if they make you uneasy, go with the pat down.

japostolova · April 2015

It is safe! I flew 3 hours non stop from Miami to NY at 27 weeks with my first on my own. I had bags and my wedding dress. Drink a lot of water & get up and walk around the plane a couple of times when in air, it's suppose to help

mag9812 · April 2015

Kmohney1 said:
I'm flying at 13w, it's only an hour flight, but my doctor said it was perfectly fine. One thing I forgot to ask about was the body scanners! Not the metal detectors but the full body scanners that show everything. Do you still go through it? I didn't even think about it until now.

I'm 11+3 now and we flew last week - short flight, only 3 hours. But I requested a pat down instead of going through the scanners. I know they say it's safe but I just didn't feel comfortable. At both airports they were really nice about it, just requested I step to the side while they got a female agent to do the search. It's really your choice and what you're comfortable with at this point.

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