About pregnancy and travelIf you are pregnant, the safest time for you to travel, generally speaking, is during the second trimester, provided you aren't experiencing any complications.
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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.
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.
Occasional air travel during pregnancy is generally safe. Recent cohort studies suggest no increase in adverse pregnancy outcomes for occasional air travelers 1 2. Most commercial airlines allow pregnant women to fly up to 36 weeks of gestation.
Another reason the aisle seat is superior for pregnant travelers is that it's crucial to get up and walk around. Blood clots are a risk for all air travelers, but that risk increases with pregnant travelers. Walking around can help the blood flow and lessen the chances of a blood clot while flying.
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.
BYOP: Bring your own pillowAs your belly grows, the task of becoming comfortable while seated gets more and more difficult. To help Alexis get cozy, she kept her Boppy pregnancy wedge with her everywhere. “It helped me sleep — as much as one does in the third trimester — on planes and in hotels,” she says.
Traveling by air is considered safe for women while they are pregnant; however, the following ideas might make your trip safer and more comfortable. Most airlines allow pregnant women to travel through their eighth month.
Screening of infants/toddlers/childrenInfants may be carried in a sling/carrier through the walk-through metal detector. Children will not be separated from their parent/guardian. Parents/guardians who are enrolled in TSA PreCheck® may bring their children with them through a TSA PreCheck® lane.
A change in air pressure or a decrease in humidity won't cause your baby any harm. There is also no evidence to suggest that flying causes miscarriages, early labour or waters to break . If you have any health issues or pregnancy complications, discuss it with your GP or midwife before you decide to fly.
For women with additional risk, doctors may recommend compression stockings and injectable blood thinners while traveling, the authors write in the Journal of Travel Medicine. “Both pregnancy and air travel are risk factors for venous thromboembolism, or a blood clot in the legs or lungs,” said senior author Dr.
Your baby's health care provider may use these terms to describe your baby's birth: Late preterm: Your baby is born between 34 and 36 completed weeks of pregnancy. Moderately preterm: Your baby is born between 32 and 34 weeks of pregnancy. Very preterm: Your baby is born at less than 32 weeks of pregnancy.