How to Travel by Plane when Pregnant

There are many reasons why a pregnant woman may need or want to travel by plane during pregnancy: business, vacation, family visits, holidays, emergencies, and more.

It is important to know the ins and outs of airline travel when pregnant to help protect the safety and comfort of women and their unborn babies. Many airlines have special policies restricting the travel of pregnant women by plane after a certain time in the pregnancy; women must be prepared for a wide variety of challenges from the airlines and their own bodies. Plane travel during pregnancy is not easy, but with preparation, the whole process can go very smoothly.

1) Consult a physician or healthcare provider for individual recommendations about airline travel during pregnancy.

Many healthcare professionals allow pregnant women to fly for the majority of their pregnancy, provided there are no known complications with the pregnancy, such as a ruptured placenta, gestational diabetes, or hypertension.
Women who have previously experienced a miscarriage, premature delivery, fetal loss, stillbirth, or any of a number of other health risks may not receive approval from an obstetrician or midwife for travel by plane for any occasion during pregnancy, for fear that the current pregnancy is also high-risk.
Certain conditions during pregnancy may be aggravated by plane travel, and flying has an unknown effect on many other conditions, making many medical experts cautious of endorsing travel by plane for women experiencing high-risk pregnancies.

2) Shop around

If necessary, to find an airline that supports and assists pregnant women during travel by plane. Just as some airlines are more permissive than others, certain companies are also more responsive to the needs of pregnant passengers.

Provided the airline has received notification of the pregnancy, some immediately offer choice seating, wheelchair escorts, in-flight drink service, and other conveniences not routinely offered to most passengers.

Flying during pregnancy can be a much more pleasant experience when your chosen airline treats pregnant passengers with care and respect, so choose wisely.

Step-3 Inquire whether the airline in question has restrictions on how far along in pregnancy a woman is still allowed to travel and whether a physician’s release is required under any circumstances.

The closer a woman is to the expected delivery date, the less likely an airline will allow travel without the written consent of a physician or midwife (dated within a few days of the travel date). This is not only to limit their own liability but also to insure the safety and comfort of the woman and the other passengers.

Trans-national and trans-oceanic flights may make traveling when pregnant more difficult, as some airlines require a note from a physician or midwife anytime after the 28th week of pregnancy indicating that there are no complications with the pregnancy.

Some airlines do not allow pregnant women with high-risk pregnancies or with gestational age of greater than 36 weeks (32 weeks for multiple births) to travel at all.

Step-4 Request additional courtesies of the airline staff and do not hesitate to let them know of the pregnancy.

This may especially help when selecting a seat on the flight.

Inform the airline staff of the pregnancy and request the desired seat if the option is available. For instance, an aisle seat near the restroom may provide convenience for frequent trips to the toilet, while a seat at the bulkhead of the plane would offer extra legroom and personal space.

Women who have difficultly standing for long periods or walking considerable distances through the airport may also request wheelchair delivery and pick-up or escort on an airport indoor vehicle to drop them off and pick them up at the gate.

Do not hesitate to request assistance loading or unloading a bag into the overhead carriers.

During the flight, many flight attendants will gladly serve additional beverages (particularly water or tea) or snacks to customers who request it.

Blankets and pillows are usually available upon request as well.

On long flights, stewards and stewardesses may also provide certain luxuries to pregnant customers otherwise only reserved for first class patrons, such as hot towels, lotions, eye masks, and more.

Step-5: Plan for comfort during a flight of any length by packing essentials

A neck pillow, empty water bottle, heat pack, and healthy snacks may make a trying travel experience more pleasant.

It is important to drink plenty of water during and after the flight; air travel can dehydrate, so fill up after security or request water once seated.

For women traveling early in pregnancy, crackers and other snacks that may help quell nausea are vital.

Step-6: Perform small exercises during flight to keep blood flowing and reduce swelling or discomfort.

Flex knees and roll ankles and wrists in small circles. Occasional leg lifts, back stretches, and short walks up and down the aisle can help reduce stiffness and minimize cramps or swelling when there is no turbulence, just take care to maintain balance by holding onto the seat backs or the overhead bins.

Article Source: www.wikihow.com

Authors: Chris, Queenkiwi, Michaelabrams01, Maluniu

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How to Travel by Plane when Pregnant