Hi during our travels i have fallen pregnant and will be returning home at 6mths. Im very nervous about flying. I've been given the usual advice lots of water, stretch / walk regularly during flight and to wear support hose which i will. However I recently took a 20hr bus (mind you was difficult to stretch & walk on) and my ankles & calves swelled dramatically but also went down within a couple hours once i was off the bus. I read taking baby aspirin can help thin the blood to reduce swelling but i am allergic to aspirin. Can anyone suggest an alternative to aspirin or anyone been in similar situation?? Any information will be much appreciated considering i don't have my regular family doctor to refer to. Thank you
Don't take anything. There is nothing safe to take for blood thinning while pregnant. You are at risk for a blood clot, being pregnant. You need to find out if you have other risk factors for getting blood clots. This would be the only concern if everything else is stable.
DO NOT TAKE ASPIRIN when pregnant! Especially if you are not seeing a doctor.
http://www.babycenter.com/404_is-it-safe-to-take-aspirin-...
You need to consult with your OB/GYN.
Or do you not have one????
You only said you don't have a 'family' doctor.
have you had any prenatal exams????
I don't have any suggestions, however you really should go to a doctor for prenatal care. Considering you are flying that far along, you should be monitored to make sure you don't have any underlying problems. Good luck to you!
Upgrading your seat will be the biggest benefit. If you're on BA econ+ has recliner seats (with leg lifts) on their international flights, and business has an actual BED. I'm afraid I'm not as familiar with other liners and their seating options, so look into yours. Even if they're just normal chairs, the added room to stretch out will help with lymph return (what causes swelling) and bloodflow... not to mention allowing tray tables to actually come DOWN instead of sitting on your belly at an angle which would pour food down the chair in front.
Talk with your doctor (have them consult an OB if needs must, or recommend one to you to phone) before taking anything. Also be aware that prenatal vitamins ca *cause* swelling (and migraines, and nausea/vomitting) in many women. If such is the case, just take kid's vitamins throughout the day... don't torture yourself with being ill.
My doctor said on my 3 and 5 hour flights to make sure I go to the bathroom every hour and if I'm not, than I'm not drinking and stretching enough. Also, get an aisle seat so you can stretch out a litle more, and ask for the bulkhead seat, it always has more room. It may cost a little extra for the bulkhead, but it's worth it.
At 6 months the pregnancy is stable and you are not too far along to fly, so if you are healthy you should not worry. I too flew for 10 plus hrs at 6mos and I felt fine. Actually, I slept for half the flight! Just make sure you get up every couple of hours and drink lots of water.
I have no idea on what medicine you could take but just wanted to let you know I was on long flight as well at 6 months pregnant. My legs swelled up real bad but it went away in couple days.
Boy, i don't know that there is much you can do to reduce the swelling, except for moving and staying hydrated, etc. (My doctor says no aspirin during pregnancy, anyway...)
You could try asking for a bulk-head row, so you could stretch or put your feet up during the flight - my swelling is a lot better if i keep my feet up.
