Traveling this week, any tips?

bdesterhouse · July 2016

Have any of the ladies in this group traveled while pregnant on a plane? I'm visiting a friend in New Mexico this week and hate traveling by myself as it is and I'm terrified now since I'm pregnant. Any tips to make things go smoother? Is it safe to go through the detecter thing? I know I'm neurotic, but I've only flown maybe five times my whole life.

MrsDramaK · July 2016

The scanners are considered safe, but if your uncomfortable with it and prefer the metal detectors you can request that, though they may insist on a pat-down.

Bring Gum, and get up and move around as often as you can.

I flew while 3 weeks and 6 weeks pregnant and it really wasn't any worse then flying while not pregnant.

16isourluckynumber · July 2016

I've flown a lot during previous pregnancies. I usually decline the new body scanner, since I don't know that it has been proven safe. Metal detector is fine. I'm also fine with a pat down.

Otherwise, just stay hydrated. Should be fine. I plan to travel to Seattle when 20 weeks pg and to England at 23 weeks. I won't fly after about 32 weeks.

nanner26 · July 2016

*Lurking from August*

I flew at 6, 14, 20, and just recently at 32 weeks. I didn't worry too much about the body scanners until this last flight and I asked before I went through and the agent said it was completely fine, but as a PP said you can opt for a pat down. I think I would question it more if I had to fly for my job and was going through them constantly. But you should do what you feel comfortable with.

The trip that was hardest for me was when I was 6 weeks just because I was cramping and had nausea. I definitely suggest getting an aisle seat so you are able to get up and down to go to the bathroom and able to walk around to get the circulation going. I also made sure to bring a bottle of water on the plane so I could stay hydrated. I didn't have any swelling until this last flight but there are compression socks you can buy to help with that. Honestly as long as you aren't dealing with any morning sickness or any other major symptoms right now, you should feel like your normal self.

Oh! And don't feel bad asking someone to help you lift your carry-on into the compartment if your bag is heavy.

PerraSucia · July 2016

If you tell them you are pregnant they almost ALWAYS will let you opt for the metal detector versus the scanner. Wear stretchy pants or a dress because the bloat is real man.

KRB22 · July 2016

Lurking from January.

I recently flew cross country (NY to LA) at 11/12 weeks, and will say getting through airport security was the worst part. I know they say the body scanners are safe for pregnant women, but my doctor recommended I avoid them.

On both flights I told the TSA officers I did not want to go through the body scanners and I was made to wait at least 15-20 minutes for a female officer to come pat me down. First time around was pretty awful (for various reasons - I ended up filing a complaint with the TSA), but on the way back the pat down was pretty quick and painless. My father went through security a few minutes after I did and was randomly sent through the metal detector, but said he saw another pregnant woman waiting to be patted down. So in my experience, at least in the big airports, they seem to be enforcing the rule that if you opt out you must automatically receive a pat down. And since the TSA is short staffed, that could mean a decent wait, so just make sure you leave extra time if you plan to "opt out."

The actual flights were totally fine, in spite of the fact that I was still dealing with MS at that point. I brought a lot of food, and made sure to stay hydrated throughout the flight. I also tried to get up and walk around at least every hour. It helped that I had an aisle seat, and also that I probably had to pee that often anyway

I was with my husband, so didn't need extra assistance, but I'm sure if you tell the flight crew you're pregnant they will be happy to offer help with your bag, etc.

cantalopes24 · July 2016

The change in pressure can make you bloat and feel icky. If there is any way you can get a seat as close to the front of the plane as possible I would try. We flew once during my last pregnancy and I was at the back of the place and once they turn the air off it's miserable. The couple in front of me had a bunch of carry on bags in overhead compartments and were soooooo slow. I asked them nicely a couple times to let me around them so I could get off the plane and the woman just rolled her eyes and I eventually had to lean over to the man and tell him I was going to throw up on his wife if she didn't let me past her.

Vastra · July 2016

I flew across the country two weeks ago, very similar experience to PP. Speaking of pp, definitely get that aisle seat if you can! I was booked in the middle for my second leg, and as it happened, there was a mom offering to trade so she could sit with her kids. That worked out great.I think I was up 6 times in 4 hours. Also, since planes are dehydrating, buy ALL the water once you go through security, and take the cups whenever they offer.
As for the scanners, I opted out on the way there, and yeah, the pat-down is pretty, uh, intimate. And people were staring (I stared right back). Which, whatever, I can handle that. On the way back, I was cutting it closer for my flight, and the douchey TSA guy was super uncooperative when I asked to opt out. I asked what the eta was on a patter downer, and he said "whenever she gets here." So I sucked it up and went through. They're largely considered safe, and I wouldn't do it every day, but if this is the only trip you'll take for a while, you should be fine.

KRB22 · July 2016

@Vastra good to know I'm not alone!
I'm making the trip again in a few weeks and am debating whether to just go through the scanner in NY to save all the hassle. The TSA actually responded to my complaint and said I should have asked to speak with a supervisor, so I guess that's an option too, but also a whole other can of worms...

Also wholeheartedly second the recommendation to sit as close to the front of the plane as possible. This is also something the crew might help you out with, to the extent they can.

cantalopes24 · July 2016

@KRB22 I just read your post. That wait is awful. We fly out of BWI and I usually wear my daughter through the airport and they don't make me go through the scanner with her on my back, they just wand me. No pat down. She's 4. The last time we flew I thought for sure they'd make me take her down since she's clearly a big kid but they didn't say anything.

Xstatic3333 · July 2016

I probably have one flight, and I think I'm just going to do the scanner. Is that awful? My MW said it's fine and all other options seem needlessly difficult. I don't mind a pat down but do mind waiting and rudeness.

krob · July 2016

Currently inflight as I type. I went through the normal screening procedures. I don't see it as a problem as long as it's not routine as others have mentioned. As I get further along I will likely opt-out. I also have TSA-pre which makes flying in general an absolute breeze. Worth investing in even if you only fly a few times a year.

My MS has ratcheted up a few notches in the last couple of days. I've made sure to have snack on flight and I keep bugging flight attendants for gingerale but other than that I am good to go.

I did did pick an aisle seat when I booked because at the time I was peeing like 4-5times a night. That seems to have stopped or I'm just getting used to it. LOL

Also feels nice to have no pressure to be productive. All I can do is sit and watch movies, which honestly is all I feel like doing these days.

Safe travels!

angeltennis3 · July 2016

This is more so for later in pregnancy but I had to fly at about 32 weeks and had to ask for a seatbelt extender because the seat belt was so snug it hurt my stomach.

sunshine2417 · July 2016

Pack a bunch of snacks in your carry on for any and all cravings so you don't pay like crazy in the airport (I brought life savers, mints, Rtiz crackers, granola bars, and multigrain chips) and drink LOTS of water! Normally people get dehydrated flying anyways, and this weekend we went (11 weeks) and it was really bad! To prevent paying a lot of money, bring an empty water bottle that you can fill up at a water fountain!

bdesterhouse · July 2016

Can I bring a normal refillable water bottle? You ladies are the best by the way. Thank you for all the input. I'm gonna have to go grocery shopping.

WinchesterGirl · July 2016

I kind of would worry about smells stuck on a warm airplane while waiting for takeoff or unloading... so maybe bring some peppermint lotion (or other strongish smell that doesn't bug you) to have to sniff in case of emergency. I've been stuck on a few planes near people who seriously needed to freshen up their deodorant... I can't imagine that situation + morning sickness.

Also, we were on an airline in May that did not provide a sick bag... might want to bring a zip loc in your

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