Unlike what many people think, air travel is not dangerous for a healthy pregnant woman or her baby. Of course, pregnant women need to take special precautions and they need to check with their health care provider before they fly. The reason is the increased risk for certain conditions such as severe anemia, placental insufficiency or clotting disorders.
If you are pregnant 14 to 28 weeks and you are flexible in your travel plans, this is the best period to fly. In midpregnancy, the risks of miscarriage and premature labor are low and you still feel active and in good shape. Before 12 weeks you probably suffer from morning sickness and the risk for miscarriage is increased. After 28 weeks, most carriers typically require a certification from your doctor that can guarantee that you are fit to travel by plane while pregnant and confirm your estimated due date. After 36 weeks of pregnancy, normally you are not allowed to fly as the risk of delivering onboard is increased or if you are at risk of preterm delivery.
In general, here are some important guidelines to consider if you are pregnant and you plan to fly:
a) Check the pregnancy policies with the airline
Each carrier has its own pregnancy policies. If you’re booking your flights with a travel agent, let them know you are pregnant and make sure you are allowed to fly. If you’re booking your flights online, make sure you check the carrier’s website about pregnancy policies. Pregnancy policies may vary by airline, so it makes sense to give them a phone and tell them you are pregnant to make sure you get a special service and you make your flight more comfortable.
b) Make sure you choose a comfortable seat
During pregnancy, reserving the right seat can make you feel very differently. First of all, you will need to get up several times and move around the plane. Therefore, make sure you book an aisle seat, especially if you are travelling long-distance. Also, try to book a spacious seat. If you’re booking online, you will see that many carriers provide information about the different legroom they offer in their seats. A travel agent can also give you information about how different carriers size up their legroom. If you cannot book in advance, try to make it to the airport earlier and ask for a bulkhead seat, which is located between business class and economy class. Bear in mind though that, typically, spacious seats are a bit more expensive. However, it’s worth spending extra money for a bit more room.
c) Make sure you promote blood circulation during the flight
Every half an hour, particularly during long flights, make sure you stand and walk in the plane. This goes for all passengers, but particularly pregnant women need to move their legs periodically. If you must remain seated, make sure you extend your ankles often. Also, you should wear support stockings and avoid restrictive clothing to minimize the risk of blood clots.
Besides, you should be buckled up during the flight to prevent the risk of traumatizing your body in case of severe air turbulence. Also, make sure you drink a lot of fluids to keep your body hydrated because low humidity in the cabin causes the air to dehydrate. If you are concerned about air pressure in the cabin, in fact, it may reduce the oxygen in your blood, but your body will adjust naturally. However, by drinking many natural fluids’ you will help your body to adjust quicker. Finally, avoid gassy foods and carbonated drinks before the flight because as the altitude increases the stomach expands and the gas trapped in your stomach may cause discomfort.
