Has anyone flown at 36 weeks pregnant?

Know that almost every airline won't let women who are past 36 weeks pregnant fly – and sometimes that's even earlier for international travel. As long as you and your baby are healthy, you shouldn't have any trouble in the pressurized cabin of a commercial airliner.



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According to the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynocologists (ACOG), it can be perfectly safe to fly during your pregnancy, and even well into your third trimester.

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Yvonne Bohn, M.D., ob/gyn at Providence Saint John's Health Center in Santa Monica, California, tells SELF that it's not an air pressure issue (meaning, the pressure from flying won't put you into labor). Rather, there's simply a higher chance that a woman will go into labor after 36 weeks.

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Complications such as hypertension, preterm labor, and premature rupture of membranes often come without warning and can occur quickly requiring medical attention. If you are 36 weeks or further we do not recommend any travel farther than two hours from home by car. Air travel after 36 weeks is not recommended.

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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.

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If you're relatively healthy—and not at risk of complications like preterm labor, preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, or placenta previa—then you're usually OK to travel up until 36 weeks, though some OB-GYNs may prefer you stay closer to your home near the end should you encounter any complications or in case your ...

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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.

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Flying while pregnant Most 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.

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It's fine to fly in the third trimester but you're advised to do it before 37 weeks, or before 32 weeks in an uncomplicated twin pregnancy. That's because you could go into labour any time after those dates . Do still check with your specific airline before you fly though.

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Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) when pregnant and flying The 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 .

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Malaria is another serious disease carried by mosquitoes. Symptoms include fever, chills, headache, and nausea and vomiting. While you are pregnant, you should not travel to areas where there is risk of malaria, including Africa, Asia, and Central and South America.

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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.

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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.

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