Pregnancy and flying!

stephaniearthurs · June 2015

I will be flying home to see my family in two weeks, and I was wondering if anyone had any tips. Sometimes pre-pregnancy my ankles swell when I travel. It will be 2 pretty short flights (one is 2.5 hours, one will probably be under an hour).

mbhurst1 · June 2015

I'm sure you will be fine since they are short flights. Just get up and walk to the bathroom in the middle of both of them. And drink lots of water and avoid salty food.

AlejandraN2 · June 2015

That's a pretty short flight so you should be fine. Drink loads of water. If you're worried about swelling you can always wear compression socks like these. I wore something similar for a 9 hour flight and no swelling.

rgz · June 2015

I fly every couple weeks for work and so far haven't noticed much of a difference than pre-pregnancy, other than making sure you wear comfortable shoes if you are carrying heavier bags for carry-ons or walking a lot through the airport. For me, my back has been hurting more and I think better supporting shoes really helps that.

herewegrow · June 2015

I flew last week and didn't really have any issues other than feeling a little stiff at the end. I agree with drinking plenty of water. I always find Sprite Zero helps ease my tummy a bit on flights! Good luck and enjoy your visit!!

ketobaby · June 2015

I fly multiple times a month for work short and long distances. I still have MS so I being some plastic bags for possible barf, tums, and I buy 2 water bottles. I also bring something I know will settle my stomach like plantain chips. I also stall the seating charts to get an aisle seat so I can have better access to the bathroom.

kidcapri100 · June 2015

Agree with PP's: walk around every 70-90 min, wear compression socks if you are prone to swelling, HYDRATE twice as much as you would drink normally, bring a barf bag of you are prone to ms (Ziplock gallon bags are my go-to), and I like to bring a scarf or wrap that I spritz with some lavender spray. My nose is so sensitive, especially to garlic and onions, so if I sit next to someone who just ate something stinky I just wrap it around my neck and inhale every so often.

TomekiaB · June 2015

I asked my OB about the x-ray at security and if I should be asking to the hands on alternative and my OB said that the security x-ray is safe. I have compression socks for running recovery I will wear on a longer flight this summer. We tend to walk a lot on vacation and if my calves get sore I'll often wear the compression socks at night it helps the soreness a lot.

sharonholck28 · September 2015

Just wondering if there are any other recommendations for compression socks? If not I will definitely be buying the ones PP posted. Just wanted to know if there were other good brands as well?

Holdmomma · September 2015

I will be flying at 32 weeks and my doctor recommended compression socks, h2o, getting up to walk regularly, and baby aspirin to improve blood flow to the uterus. I'm using Pro Compression athletic compression socks. Bonus for me is that I can wear them during recovery from athletic training once I'm back into my running routine. https://procompression.com/marathon/?_bta_tid=3.AIel.A7Wb4Q.BCsy.dnkO..AMe_1g.b..l.A2M3.n...0-qDsg&_bta_c=0kiei3f5dh1cvrgb5quwjdwd3eqmu

rachel10488 · September 2015

Oh also, you can pre board if the airline you're flying has that (I know delta does). This may not seem like a huge deal but I was just flying by myself a few weeks ago and didn't feel like trying it on my flight there and then waiting in those long lines to board and then get on the plane and then get to my seat with my heavy bags bothered my knees and back more than I thought it would.
On the way home I decided to try the pre boarding when they called it and they let me on first (with all the people on crutches or in wheelchairs haha) with no issues and it was so much easier on me to have that time to settle in with my big uncomfortable belly.

crl145 · September 2015

I just flew from Sydney to Dallas and back... 16.5 hours each time and was totally fine. I just drank extra water and made sure to stretch my legs often. You should be totally fine on a flight that's less than 2 hours!

ashleyannhaynes · September 2015

In addition to the posters above, take some Gas X with you. I was so uncomfortably bloated during my last flight this past weekend and felt immediately better once I took two Gas X pills.

SarahWB1 · September 2015

Flew to and back from Europe a few weeks ago and did not have any problem.

Agreed that you should go with the pre-boarding. I did that on all my flights and it makes life much easier to be able to board without being pushed around by other travelers. Any airline will let you pre-board when they see that you are pregnant.

Also try to get an aisle seat! It will make the back and forth to the bathroom easier.

NMustang2427 · September 2015

I'm flying next week with my husband and was wondering if any of you ladies asked to be carted to the gate. Like on one of those golf carts you see at the airport? If you did, did you ask the front kiosk?

TomekiaB · September 2015

I think my socks are Ceep brand or something. I already owned them from running. My flight was 9 hours or so, but I'd wear the socks over 3 hours or if I had swelling.

shelbysbarnes · September 2015

I flew last week- my advice, wear clothes like it will be super hot! My plane was full and I was in a cotton dress burning up!! Flight home I wore shorts and a t-shirt and was so much better. Southwest allows you to pre-bored. Just go to the counter by the gate and they should let you

I had no problem.

satindawl83 · September 2015

NMustang2427 said:
I'm flying next week with my husband and was wondering if any of you ladies asked to be carted to the gate. Like on one of those golf carts you see at the airport? If you did, did you ask the front kiosk?

This is a bit much! Unless you're having major issues walking, I'd forgo this so that it can be used for people with disabilities and/or those running late for their flight.

I flew last week at 29 weeks and it was easy breezy!

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