Most airlines allow you to fly domestically until about 36 weeks of pregnancy. Your ob-gyn can provide proof of your due date if you need it. If you are planning an international flight, the cut-off for traveling may be earlier.
You can often arrange for priority boarding on airplanes and even some cruise ships if you are pregnant and require additional time or assistance to get to your seats or accommodations. For air travel, making such arrangements in advance is usually unnecessary: Simply speak to a representative from your airline.
Pregnant women can fly in most cases. Travel during first and second trimesters is generally safe. Third trimester travel may require medical clearance. Pregnant women should stay hydrated and move regularly.
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) when pregnant and flyingThe risk of DVT increases when you're flying and with longer flights because you are sitting down for a long time. You're also at a higher risk of developing a DVT when you are pregnant and for up to six weeks after you give birth .
Is it safe to walk through airport security scanners when pregnant? Yes, it's perfectly safe. The kind of whole-body scanner you step through uses technology called millimetrewave imaging. It's designed to pick up potentially dangerous objects that may be concealed under clothing.
Flying while pregnantAir travel is generally safe if you're having an uncomplicated pregnancy. If you have any pregnancy complications, check with your midwife or GP that there's no medical reason to stop you flying, such as high blood pressure or a risk of deep vein thrombosis.
During a healthy pregnancy, occasional air travel is almost always safe. Most airlines allow you to fly domestically until about 36 weeks of pregnancy. Your ob-gyn can provide proof of your due date if you need it. If you are planning an international flight, the cut-off for traveling may be earlier.
Ryanair: You can travel with the airline up to 28 weeks in, after which they require a 'fit to fly' letter from your midwife or doctor. You can fly with the airline until the end of the 36th week of a single pregnancy, or the 32nd week if you're expecting more than one baby.
After 36 weeks of pregnancy, your health care provider may advise against flying. And some airlines don't allow pregnant people to fly after 36 weeks. The airline also may require a letter from your health care provider that states how far along in your pregnancy you are and whether flying is advised.
Flying when pregnant: general tipsIf you are 28 weeks pregnant or more, the airline you are travelling with might ask for a letter from your midwife or doctor stating your due date, that you're in good health, have no complications and have a straightforward pregnancy.
Generally, air travel before 36 weeks of pregnancy is considered safe for people who aren't dealing with any pregnancy problems. Still, if you're pregnant, it's a good idea to talk with your health care provider before you fly.
There is no concrete evidence that flying endangers the fetus or the expectant mother's health in case of a normal pregnancy. Furthermore, there is no evidence that flying causes miscarriages, premature labor, or uterine rupture. Expectant mothers may find flying uncomfortable during certain stages of their pregnancy.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists says the safest time for a woman to travel is in the second trimester of her pregnancy, from 14 to 28 weeks. This is the time when you will feel your best. You are also at the lowest risk for spontaneous abortion or premature labor.