Can you go through the airport scanner when pregnant?
All screening equipment at the airport security checkpoint is safe for all travelers, including women who are pregnant. Watch this travel tips video if you have questions about the security screening process when traveling while pregnant.
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Flying while pregnantMost airlines won't let you fly if you're within about a month of your due date. Some will need a letter from your GP or midwife saying you're fit to fly when you're 7 months pregnant. Check with the airline before you book.
All our machines receive a variety of tests to ensure they are safe. They DO NOT use X-rays to produce an image. Still not comfortable? You can always opt out and request a pat-down.
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. If your health care provider says it's okay for you to fly, and your plans are flexible, the best time to travel by air might be during the second trimester.
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.
Thus, you need to wear compression socks or compression stockings. If you have health insurance, it may cover these elements of your outfit. Don't forget about flexible and comfortable shoes. Slip on shoes will make it easy to remove them if your feet start swelling.
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 .
If you have a straightforward pregnancy and are healthy, there is no evidence that the changes in air pressure and/or the decrease in humidity have a harmful effect on you or your baby. There is no evidence that flying will cause miscarriage, early labour or your waters to break.
In the US, travelers are allowed to refuse to go through the body scanner and opt for a physical search instead. Passengers who have been selected for enhanced screening, however, cannot opt out of the full-body scanner.
Certain groups are more likely to get upgraded than others. Honeymooners and pregnant women are high on the list, with birthday celebrants not far behind. Solo travellers or couples willing to sit separately stand the best chance of an upgrade.
Some airlines require written documentation from your practice nurse, midwife or obstetrician. This is to confirm you are in good health, that your pregnancy is uncomplicated and your due date. Flying during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy may be considered risky as miscarriage is more common during this early stage.
Examples include a history of miscarriage or vaginal bleeding, severe anemia, and high blood pressure or diabetes that's not well controlled. If you had preeclampsia during a previous pregnancy — a condition that causes high blood pressure and extra protein in urine — flying may not be advised.
Air travel does not seem to be harmful to pregnancy, and it is generally considered to be safe; thus most commercial airlines allow pregnant women to fly until the 36th week of their gestational age.