Traveling across Country by air at 27 weeks-Any advice?

MedicMomma84 · October 2016

I will be taking a cross country flight to see my parents in two weeks. This is my first pregnancy and I will be 27 weeks when I fly. So far, my pregnancy has been pretty straightforward and without complication (knock on wood) and my OB has given me the okay to fly. Has anyone flown before while this pregnant and could you ladies share some words of wisdom or some tips for how to make the nearly five hour flight more enjoyable while pregnant?

Shawlls · October 2016

Yes, I have! I experienced a lot of rib pain during my last pregnancy, so that was he extent of the discomfort during the flight. I'd say keep hydrated and if you are at all experiencing swelling in your legs/veins, don't be afraid to get some compression socks.

die_frau · October 2016

Honestly, I'd get compression stockings anyway. I've done several international flights and wore stockings every time -- they really helped with the swelling. Drink LOTS of water, and I would also try to get up and walk around every hour or so to reduce the swelling. I did some leg stretches in the galley and the flight attendants didn't mind at all.

nanner26 · October 2016

*Lurking from A16*
I flew at 33 weeks on a 14 hour flight so my tips are:

-Get an aisle seat
-Have compression socks, even if you don't end up wearing them you have them just in case.
-Drink plenty of water (hence the aisle seat)
-Wear stretchy super comfortable clothes
-Shoes you can easily slip off and on
-Don't be shy in asking someone to put your carry-on in the luggage bin.

Also, just try to walk around the cabin every 1-2 hours.

Vastra · October 2016

I flew back and forth across the country at 21 weeks, plus a flight in the middle. +1 to all of this advice. I also noticed that the flight attendants don't seem to mind if you get up to pee when the Fasten Seatbelt light is on. They get it.
And I highly recommend getting the patdown at TSA instead of going through the ballerina machine*. The likelihood of it being dangerous is very low, but for peace of mind, it might be better not to do it. They'll automatically assign a female agent, and you can do it out in the open. On one of my flights, she even asked where my husband was, so she could do it in front of him. All of them were very nice, very respectful and completely cute about the baby bump.

*My name for the scanner, because of the position.

cruffino · October 2016

i've flown a few times during this pregnancy, and i'm scheduled to be out of town again in 3 weeks, when i'll be 28 weeks. like others have said, wear compression socks, and make sure to drink water. having a seat with extra leg room is nice if you can get it, otherwise, an aisle seat is good so you can move around. going through security is very little risk but if it bugs you then a pat down is always an option.

it's really no big deal, except for not being particularly comfortable, but that's true whether you're pregnant or not. and there are very few risks involved. when i first found out i was pregnant i talked with my MW about it since i travel frequently for work, and her advice was simply, stay hydrated, move around, and try not to fly too far into the 3rd trimester because you risk having the baby in an unknown place.

unless you have specific medical concerns, there's really no problems, so enjoy your trip!

PerraSucia · October 2016

Hannah0726 said:

*Lurking from A16*
I flew at 33 weeks on a 14 hour flight so my tips are:

-Get an aisle seat
-Have compression socks, even if you don't end up wearing them you have them just in case.
-Drink plenty of water (hence the aisle seat)
-Wear stretchy super comfortable clothes
-Shoes you can easily slip off and on
-Don't be shy in asking someone to put your carry-on in the luggage bin.

Also, just try to walk around the cabin every 1-2 hours.

This is basically all my advice and expect to be farting

birdiejo · October 2016

PerraSucia said:

Hannah0726 said:

*Lurking from A16*
I flew at 33 weeks on a 14 hour flight so my tips are:

-Get an aisle seat
-Have compression socks, even if you don't end up wearing them you have them just in case.
-Drink plenty of water (hence the aisle seat)
-Wear stretchy super comfortable clothes
-Shoes you can easily slip off and on
-Don't be shy in asking someone to put your carry-on in the luggage bin.

Also, just try to walk around the cabin every 1-2 hours.

This is basically all my advice and expect to be farting

I had a huge painful gas bubble when I flew last time I was pregnant. I remember that distinctly.

Vastra · October 2016

The seats do absorb the farts quite nicely. I'm not sure that's a good thing, but do take advantage of it.

Patience7150 · October 2016

I flew a few weeks ago and can further attest to the farting. I may or may not have gone into the plane bathroom and put a foot up on the toilet/counter and stretched forward to push some gas out. It was the most satisfying passing of gas ever.

Don't be surprised if you are swollen the next day. My shirts did not fit and I had to revert back to the stretchy clothes. Keep up the water the next few days after traveling and it should go down.

MoonOverGoldsboro · October 2016

PerraSucia said:

Hannah0726 said:

*Lurking from A16*
I flew at 33 weeks on a 14 hour flight so my tips are:

-Get an aisle seat
-Have compression socks, even if you don't end up wearing them you have them just in case.
-Drink plenty of water (hence the aisle seat)
-Wear stretchy super comfortable clothes
-Shoes you can easily slip off and on
-Don't be shy in asking someone to put your carry-on in the luggage bin.

Also, just try to walk around the cabin every 1-2 hours.

This is basically all my advice and expect to be farting

Dude, I fart constantly when flying, pregnant or not. Is this a thing? Am I just a gas monster?

madamerwin · October 2016

I flew yesterday and the day before at 23 weeks. Somehow I ended up with a window seat for EVERY flight, which usually I love, but was a pain this time. So definitely try to get an aisle seat.

I also made a point on the last flight yesterday - which was the longest of the four - to apologize in advance to the woman in the aisle for the fact that I would have to get up multiple times. She could see I was pregnant, and she was super nice about it. I got up every 1-2 hours to stretch and use the restroom.

Drink lots of water, get up as much as you can, and in between (if you have the leg room), try to straighten your legs out and do some foot stretches/ankle rolls.

I didn't have compression socks, but it looks like I may need to fly again in a few weeks, so I will probably get some. My ankles were a little swollen when I got home last night, but by this morning they were normal again.

The full-body scanners that they currently use in airports use electromagnetic rays - not x-rays - so there is virtually no risk to the baby by going through them. You're exposed to far more radiation while flying than you are going through any sort of scanning machine, but if it makes you feel better to ask for a pat-down, go for it.

PerraSucia · October 2016

MoonOverGoldsboro said:

PerraSucia said:

Hannah0726 said:

*Lurking from A16*
I flew at 33 weeks on a 14 hour flight so my tips are:

-Get an aisle seat
-Have compression socks, even if you don't end up wearing them you have them just in case.
-Drink plenty of water (hence the aisle seat)
-Wear stretchy super comfortable clothes
-Shoes you can easily slip off and on
-Don't be shy in asking someone to put your carry-on in the luggage bin.

Also, just try to walk around the cabin every 1-2 hours.

This is basically all my advice and expect to be farting

Dude, I fart constantly when flying, pregnant or not. Is this a thing? Am I just a gas monster?

I think the pressure change makes gas happen?

Vastra · October 2016

I think the pressure change makes gas happen?

Using this as an excuse for farting in the bedroom. "We're upstairs. Altitude, man."

birdiejo · October 2016

MoonOverGoldsboro said:

PerraSucia said:

Hannah0726 said:

*Lurking from A16*
I flew at 33 weeks on a 14 hour flight so my tips are:

-Get an aisle seat
-Have compression socks, even if you don't end up wearing them you have them just in case.
-Drink plenty of water (hence the aisle seat)
-Wear stretchy super comfortable clothes
-Shoes you can easily slip off and on
-Don't be shy in asking someone to put your carry-on in the luggage bin.

Also, just try to walk around the cabin every 1-2 hours.

This is basically all my advice and expect to be farting

Dude, I fart constantly when flying, pregnant or not. Is this a thing? Am I just a gas monster?

I do too!

cantalopes24 · October 2016

All of what everyone said and ask to preboard.

cantalopes24 · October 2016

Oh and I asked to go through the metal detector because the line was shorter and they didn't make me do a pat down or anything. I was in and out much faster.

MommaBean · October 2016

I'm flying across the Atlantic tonight and now I'm worried about my lack of compression socks

cruffino · October 2016

@MommaBean can you run to the drug store and get a pair? that's a long flight and good chance you might swell up and get really uncomfortable.

krob · October 2016

@MommaBean i flew here without socks and was fine, but after all the comments I had H go buy me some for our flight back today.

Good luck on your trip! Enjoy London and try to do a proper afternoon tea.

MommaBean · October 2016

Lol @krob I just texted my H.

krob · October 2016

@MommaBean one last thing....the walk from the gate to terminal is FOREVER just be prepared.

WinchesterGirl · October 2016

It appears OP posted and ran... this is quite the week for drive bys.

Xstatic3333 · October 2016

WinchesterGirl said:

It appears OP posted and ran... this is quite the week for drive bys.

Yeah, she's definitely posted before but still annoying.

MommaBean · October 2016

@krob I'll probably be ready for it after all that time cooped in an airplane! We're at the airport now waiting to leave... hope your return trip went/goes well!

sunshine2417 · October 2016

SNACKS! Pack tons of snacks that are not just essentially salt sticks that will add to the swelling and crappy feeling. Maybe some veggies and hummus or an apple and PB! And I'd recommend to take wedding/engagement rings off before you fly and put them in a very very safe place! The swelling in my hands led to fiddling with them and almost losing my wedding band!

HeatSparks · October 2016

Lots of good stuff already said. I'd add packing colace or a dr-approved stool softener just in case, and eating lots of fiber and ruffage before/during your trip. Flying makes me constipated when I'm not pregnant.

hudson1029 · October 2016

I've been traveling throughout my pregnancy and have planning a few trip well into my 3rd trimester. I suggest upgrading yourself to economy plus or comfort at least. Makes a huge difference. I have to take a red eye in a few weeks and I bought a first class seat.

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