If the health care professional approves, air travel is absolutely safe for pregnant women. However, there are certain precautions to be taken before and during the journey, which have been talked about in the following HerHaleness article.
There are a numerous things to consider when you are pregnant because, your activities and your lifestyle has a direct impact on the health of your baby. One such thing is the air travel safety during pregnancy. This issue may come up, if you have to travel in case of an emergency or in case of a trip that was planned several months before you knew about your pregnancy, and now it cannot be canceled. You do not want to miss the tour and at the same time you are worried, if it’s safe if you fly while pregnant.
Safety Concern
Air travel in pregnancy, is considered safe during the first and second trimester, only if there are no complications in the pregnancy. Generally, flying during mid pregnancy (14-28 weeks) does not pose any health risk to the mother and her baby. Airlines have strict guidelines and sometimes they do not allow women, having health problems, to travel in their flight. You would be questioned about your due date, since they do not permit women to fly, usually after the third trimester. Women in their 26th week of pregnancy are restricted from traveling by air as they are at the risk of premature labor. Flying during the second trimester can be safe for the expectant women. However, you cannot ignore morning sickness while traveling. This can aggravate, as the plane moves to higher altitudes. Always check with your doctor if you have frequent spotting or if you have diabetes or high blood pressure during pregnancy.
Doctors always suggest precautionary measures to women flying during their second pregnancy. Women showing any symptoms of high risk pregnancy, like, placental abnormalities, hypertension, or sickle cell anemia, should not travel by air during their pregnancy. Doctors always recommend not to travel by air at least a month before delivery date as it increases possibilities of a miscarriage. The oxygen deficient atmosphere at higher altitudes might adversely affect the baby’s health. So, it is important for pregnant women to avoid oxygen deficiency when flying. Sitting at one place for long hours can lead to conditions, like, deep vein thrombosis, varicose veins, and poor blood circulation. Low fluid intake in such conditions can further lead to dehydration in the body. These risks are always there when traveling while pregnant, especially when it’s after the second trimester. Women, who have to make frequent trips while pregnant, carry the risk of pre-birth child abnormalities and even miscarriages. Instead of just worrying about ‘whether flying is safe while pregnant’, consult your doctor about the same. Get a thorough check up done before leaving for the trip.
Tips For Safe Flying
Always check for the airline guidelines and safety measures for pregnant women, when traveling by air. You should preferably not travel in an aircraft that does not have pressure cabins. Make sure you wear loose clothing during the journey. Use compression or pressure stocking while flying. They help regulate blood circulation and do not cause swelling of the veins and nerves. Relax your body every half an hour to avoid cramping of muscles. Wiggle your toes, flex your feet, and rotate your ankles. Take a walk when you feel tired of sitting. This improves blood circulation and reduces chances of clot formation. Avoid crossing your legs while sitting. There are emergency row seats for pregnant women facing difficulty in fastening sit belts; avail them if need be. Drink plenty of water to keep yourself hydrated during the journey. Eat plenty of fruits and snacks while traveling. Do not take sleeping pills to overcome jet lag. Ear block is not something to worry about.
Flying during the first trimester, normally, doesn’t pose the risk of health complications. However, you should not take any risks after the third trimester. A safe and healthy pregnancy is all that every woman wants.
