Flying internationally at 26 weeks

eebaby · May 2015

Hi All-

Just need some reassurance here- Im flying on an international flight (10 hrs) when I'll be 26 weeks. I've had an easy pregnancy so far and no reason not to fly but just had a crazy dream about going into labor on the flight.... Anybody flown and have any advice?

Seed0824 · May 2015

I flew earlier and my doctor said get an aisle seat (ask someone to switch if none are available), drink lots of water and walk around a few times like to the bathroom.

fionalouise007 · May 2015

I used to be a flight attendant.. You'll be fine! Definitely get an aisle seat just so you can use the bathrooms easily and let the flight attendants help you. I know it's not nice to think about, but they are trained for all sorts of first aid including if someone goes into labour onboard during the flight.
In short, heaps of people do it and you are still very much 'safe to fly' so you will be fine.
By the way.. I am super jealous you are travelling internationally. I wish I could jump on a plane for 10hours! Have fun and enjoy your trip.

LSquared3960 · May 2015

I'm flying internationally too in two weeks, so I'll be 29/30 weeks. I'm definitely a little nervous but the other ladies have good advice. Enjoy your trip!

eebaby · May 2015

@fionalouise007 that's just what I needed to hear!! Thanks so much and to everyone else thank you -sometimes just need someone else to remind me it's fine:)

strauber · May 2015

Just got back from an international trip. Aisle seat. Drink enough water that you are forced to get up to pee and bring whatever pillow/heating pad you need to keep the back comfy (I have one made of popcorn kernels that the flight attendants heated up in the microwave). Flight attendants love pregnant women and we're super helpful.

jemholo · May 2015

I just got back from Amsterdam (I was 25 weeks 5 days for the flight). There were no problems at all! I got an aisle seat, got up to walk every hour or two, and made sure to drink lots of water. I also advise checking your bag because earlier in my pregnancy I was finding that dragging a roller through the airport wore on me a lot more than it normally would. I was having a lot of soreness after flights, but once I started checking it was fine!

I'd also advise packing snacks if you are flying economy. The economy food was not appetizing to me AT ALL. I passed on the meal on the flight there and back. I've been ok with the food when flying business (more choices and looks less like dog food!), so if you're lucky enough to be doing that you're probably fine.

ambercdc · May 2015

Just flew yesterday at 25 weeks though not internationally, a decent length flight. Only issue I had was back soreness in the seat. Bring a pillow to get comfy and drink lots of water and you'll be fine

Yiggle09 · May 2015

When you are up in the air that close to the sun you are exposed to radiation. Getting an aisle seat is the best for reduction of radiation because you have 2 other people to block the radiation to you. Im an xray tech so I know a bit about this. Its not worth you not traveling because people do it all the time and babies are fine but taking the proper precautions and being educated youll be fine! GL and enjoy the flight

lelesmom · May 2015

DH has orders to move to England and my midwife cleared me to fly till 36 weeks

visualcircus · May 2015

To add to what everyone else said, I would add bring compression socks if you are susceptible to swelling in the ankles/legs in addition to getting up and walking, stretching every hour.

ambercdc · May 2015

Yes! Forgot to mention compression socks but I do wear them always when flying. I have a clotting disorder, but everyone's at higher risk for clots while pregnant. Love travelsox that you can get on Amazon. No swelling and legs feel so much better post flight

daniellepanda · May 2015

Just got back from Central America last week. Flight there was fine no issues at all: flight back was longer and a long travel day. By the time our last flight landed my ankles and feet were really swollen. The flight had a lot of turbulence and they had the seatbelt on sign for almost the whole flight so I was only able to get up once on the 6 hour flight. I took an Epsom salt bath when we got home, and the next am the swelling was gone. Just drink a lot of water and get up as much as you can.

eebaby · May 2015

Just got back from flying to Japan - it turned out just fine! I drank a ton of water and was having some Braxton hicks contractions which I had been having before but all is well and I'm back home!! Thanks for the pep talks- compression socks/aisle seats/ lots of snacks saved the day!!

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