Long haul flights whilst pregnant?

linksoflondon · July 2015

is anyone flying whilst pregnant? I booked a flight to Florida in October which was booked before I realised I was pregnant. I have read that it's fine to fly and I will be 5 months when I do.. Just wondering if anyone else would be worrying about it?

I will of course discuss with my midwife but to date I've not met her lol. I'm 9 weeks this Saturday

linksoflondon · July 2015

I should add that I live in the UK on the south coast so will be a 9 hour flight then a change at Atlanta to go onto Florida

lauren0571 · July 2015

I've been doing A LOT of research on this. We recently move to Luxembourg from the U.S. and I would love to make a trip home before I have this LO.
I would have your doctor give you a note okaying you to fly. Have your specific dates of your travel noted on the document. I've read it's okay to fly up to 36 weeks but a lot of airlines have a 28 week cut off. That said, you may also want the doctor to include how far along you are in your pregnancy (just so there isn't any question).
Other than that I wouldn't be worried about flying at 5 months.

OrangeBliss · July 2015

I took a 2 hour flight at 8 weeks and 9 weeks. Then drove 8 hours each way on a different trip. My midwife said it was fine to travel. The main thing she said was to walk around and stretch your legs ever 1.5 to 2 hours to prevent blood clots. Other than that she said it was fine. I did notice that my calves felt tighter on travel days so stretching them every 2 hours felt really good.

jennymack79 · July 2015

Yes - my doc said to move around every 1-1.5 hours because pregnant women have a higher risk of blood clots, but otherwise you should be fine.

CuriousKiddosMama · July 2015

Should be fine, just move around a lot. I would even suggest an aisle deer so you can walk the aisle every so often.

TacoSarah · July 2015

I flew London - Toronto (8 hours) at 20 weeks and returned overnight at 21 weeks and was fine. I didn't need a note from my GP. Don't book an exit row seat as you will be moved, try and get an aisle seat so you can get up and move around, stay hydrated (this helps with moving around as you'll get up to use the washroom regularly) and take snacks. I found the flight attendants to be extra nice to me, asking if I wanted more water during the flight. You might also want to take an extra small pillow or neck pillow so you can put one in the small of your back.

And wear shoes that are easy to get on and off as your feet might swell up a lo more than normal.

Edited to add - make sure to take your maternity notes with you, just in case you need treatment when you are on holiday. Pack them in your hand luggage. Also think about taking a change of clothes in your hand luggage just in case your case doesn't make it to your final destination with you - lost luggage is annoying at the best of times, it's a real PITA when you have to purchase emergency maternity clothes.

mrsc12414 · July 2015

I took two five hour flights one at seven weeks one at eight. My doctor reassured me I would be fine but I was nervous . She said just to get up and move every hour and a half or so. Worst part for me personally was getting nauseated midair during turbulence but other then that all was well

eileenhealy · July 2015

I just flew from south korea to san francisco.. 10 hours... it sucked, do whatever you can to get an aisle seat so you can get up and move easily... and if there is anything you can do to upgrade... now is the time... I was in united economy between two guys and it was brutal... super uncomfortable...

PaniaO · July 2015

I flew from SF to DC when I was around 9 weeks (and will return in a few days). My OB "prescribed" compression socks to prevent blood clots. She also suggested I get up to stretch and walk around for ten minutes every hour, even if the seat-belt light was on. I also brought a physician's note to decline the security scanners, but they took my word and gave me a female pat-down without glancing at the note.

SmallDogM0M209 · July 2015

We're flying to Hawaii for our anniversary in October. I'll be 20 weeks. The airline guidelines say it's fine, and I haven't specifically asked my Dr yet, but I have a pretty good feeling he'll be fine with it. I'll most likely book 1st class seats so I'm more comfortable.

brushesnbrunch · July 2015

We're booking a babymoon end of Oct-early Nov to fly from Seattle to Jamaica. I think it's about 7 hour flight (not including layovers). I haven't discussed with my doctor yet, but I'm thinking he'll be okay with it. I plan on getting compression socks, walking the aisle, bringing water with me as well as a a neck pillow and my regular sleeping pillow (I have issues when I don't bring it, much to H's dismay).

MississippiCatfish · July 2015

I flew quite a bit in my first two pregnancies. I would also suggest an aisle seat, to make it easier to get up and move around. My babies were the exact same height and weight, and I was with a few pounds of the same weight during both pregnancies, but I was dramatically more uncomfortable with my first. I really think it depended on their position - I knew my first baby to be breech until 38 weeks, and it just felt like his head was lodged right in my rib. I was more uncomfortable flying in 2nd try with him, than at 36 weeks with my second child! So, you really never know how it's going to go until you try it.

AmandaGS07 · July 2015

I used to travel for work so I was flying twice a week every week during my last pregnancy. Only restriction was no travel after 34 weeks from my Dr. Besides that, just get an aisle seat so you can get up and walk. It helps to walk every 1.5-2 hours on the flight. Also, I had a problem with my ankles and feet swelling when I flew while pregnant so maybe get some compression socks just in case you have the same problem. That was the most painful part until I invested in some compression socks, then I didn't have any issues. Make sure you always have a bottle of water too! I was ALWAYS thirsty and the drink cart never came fast enough

lovekat614 · July 2015

I will be flying for 15+ hours next Saturday from NYC to HK. I will be a little over 10 weeks. I bought compression socks!

jaybirdpop · July 2015

We are flying from Germany to Florida in two weeks. I will be 12 weeks with twins. The doctor okayed it, but kept offering to write an Rx for compression tights, I know they are super expensive and not covered by my insurance so I'm borrowing my husband's running compression sleeves.

I'm using a rolling carry on so I can have my feet propped up and I have to pee every hour so getting up and walking won't be a problem

salixjoy38 · July 2015

I'm flying from Victoria to Newfoundland (about 11 hours with layovers) at the end of August. These tips are all so good. I'm going to look into getting an aisle seat arranged. And compressions socks are on my list - my feet get a little swollen every time I fly anyway

AmandaGS07 · July 2015

I just got my compression socks on Amazon - got a few pairs and good to go! They are $12.99 and prime eligible for free shipping

https://www.amazon.com/Pintoli-Fytto-Womens-Compression-15-20mmHg/dp/B007IWHLEQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1437753392&sr=8-1&keywords=compression+socks+womens

linksoflondon · July 2015

Thank you so much! I feel lots better about flying now. I worry about everything at the moment anyway haha can't wait until my 12w scan to see my little one

my due date is 29/2/16 so only 3 weeks until my scan! So excited! I think I will relax a little more then.

Erinka · July 2015

I just bought these for a 3,000+ mile flight I'm taking in a few days @12w.

AmandaGS07 said:
I just got my compression socks on Amazon - got a few pairs and good to go! They are $12.99 and prime eligible for free shipping

https://www.amazon.com/Pintoli-Fytto-Womens-Compression-15-20mmHg/dp/B007IWHLEQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1437753392&sr=8-1&keywords=compression+socks+womens

charliegoldengirl · July 2015

Gah! Flying tomorrow and didn't think of compression socks... Any ideas on where to get them last minute? If only I had read this a few days ago in time for Prime!

Erinka · July 2015

You can get them for too much money at Walgreens. Or you could have the amazon ones shipped to your destination and you would at least have them on the trip home.

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