Flying While Pregnant

Hi J.,
I, too, was pregnant with my first child when I was 27. I flew to Florida to visit my sister when I was six months pregnant. Everything was perfectly fine! Go and have fun!

M.

I flew at around that same time in my pregnancy to Fla- it's fine. Besides, you deserve some time on the beach! Go for it!

Hi J.!
My husband is a pilot and I flew quite a bit while pregnant with my 1st and 2nd children in utero. No problem at all....Drink plenty of fluids and stretch out when you can. Eat some small snacks so not to get sick...otherwise relax and enjoy the flight! LOL.

When I was pregnant with baby number 3 we flew to Florida 2 months before she was born. No problems again.

Good luck!

I would have no worries about flying in second trimester. I flew without incident (and was encouraged to go by my doctor) at the beginning of my third trimester. Congratulations to you and ENJOY, enjoy, enjoy!

Hi J.,
Just from personal experience I got REALLY sick on the plane. I had morning sickness (that just wouldn't stop!) so I'm not sure if it was that combined with bumpy flights or my body changing. Anyway, at one point I had to ummm, get sick and ended up in the plane bathroom as it was landing! My husband said the whole plane could hear me! Talk about embarrassing.

Hopefully you don't have to deal with this. Have a GREAT time in FL!

~Kristal

You will be fine! Have fun!

Hi J.,

I've flown plenty of times in my second trimester (I'm now 28 weeks). Are you traveling alone? I did that the last time I flew, and it was hard for me to pick things up off the floor and dealing with the overhead bin. Hopefully you'll have someone with you to handle that! The only reason doctor's don't want you to fly is if you have had complications. Have a blast in Florida!!

You should be fine. I found that making sure I was hydrated, had some sugary candy to settle my stomach, should it get a little upset, and also used the wristbands with a little "bumb" on the inside. The wristbands are supposed to sit on an accupuncture point that helps prevent nausea. You can find them at any drugstore.

Fly safely, and enjoy your trip.

You should be fine flying in your second trimester. Just make sure to drink lots of water! Enjoy your trip!!!

Hi J.,

I had a similar concern during the end of my last pregnancy - my best friend was getting married and I wanted to attend her wedding. My doctor informed me it is safe to travel during any point in your pregnancy although airlines prohibit traveling during the last month for fear that you may go into labor (understandably!). At this point in your pregnancy, I see no reason not to take the plane ride. If you were nearing your due date, it would be wise to have an exam to ensure there are no labor signs.

Good luck and have a great flight!
S.

My doc allowed me to fly up to 36 weeks with both of my kids - both were normal pregnancies with no complications. The only thing I would recommend is loose shoes and that you get up and walk at least once or twice to make sure your feet don't swell. Good luck and have fun!

It is safe to fly when you are pregnant though most airlines won't let you fly after 35 weeks. I wouldn't want to fly that close to my due date anyway....but I did fly when I was 24 weeks and had no problems. My doctor swore it was safe. You just need to get up and walk around if it is a long flight to avoid blood clotting. Mostly, I was just uncomfortable sitting in the seat that long while pregnant, but the flying is safe during pregnancy.

Drink tons of water and get up and walk around a bit(the best you can)just to keep your blood flowing,have fun!!

Yu should be OK at 22 weeks but CALL YOUR OBGYN first!! Always. And if you get the OK, drink LOTS of water!

i flew while being pregnant.
Double check with your doctors office as to what they expect when flying.
Mine had me get support hose from CVS for my legs and circulation (did not have a problem with this before hand) and I think they had me take a baby asprin before each flight as well. They also told me to get up every hour on the hour and walk to stretch the legs and make sure the blood is really flowing, drink lots of water and stay very hydrated while on the trip. good luck and have fun

My doctor told me you can fly up to 36 weeks. I didn't go that late in pregnancy I flew at 24 weeks and didn't have any issues. However you might want to have tums with you and bring Mallox just incase you have a lot of gas. Have fun and enjoy.

L. M

Hi J.. I flew a ton up until I was 36 weeks pregnant with my first and didn't have any issues. The airlines will typically let you take an international flight up to 32 weeks and a domestic flight up to 36 weeks. After 24 weeks I flew with a note from my doctor in case the airline had any questions about whether or not I should be flying. If you take a longer flight I would definitely recommend walking around to get your blood flowing. Drinking water will also help a lot. Flying with kids can certainly be challenging so enjoy these "quiet" flights during pregnancy!

i think some airlines have restrictions about flying during the very end of your pregnancy (like after 36 weeks) just because they don't want to have to deal with you giving birth on the plane, hehe. they might even require a note from your doctor to "prove" how far along you are. but in general, travel in the 2nd trimester should be fine. to be on the safe side, you might want to have the contact info of a caregiver/hospital in the area at your destination, though.

Of course it is safe for everyone at this stage unless you have complications or another condition affecting you. Your biggest risks are swollen ankles - so get up and move a lot, drink lots of water and stay really really hydrated. That recirculated air is deadly for everyone. If you are drinking caffeinated coffee or sodas, stop before and during the flight - caffeine dehydrates you!

Tell the flight attendants if you need to get up more than you think is normal so they can make allowances for you. Try to get an aisle seat. If you need help getting stuff stowed under the seat, ask for it. If there is no one sitting next to you, twist your body and put your feet up if you can. Look for vacant seats as you are up and about - you may be able to switch seats or just park yourself in another location for a little bit!

Otherwise, enjoy!

When I flew in the second trimester, I experienced a lot of swelling in my feet and ankles. It was very bad; my feet looked like an elephant's. It was painful and cumbersome and I could barely walk. I don't know how you would prevent that, but it might be a question to ask your doctor!

When I was 6 months pregnant I flew from the East coast U.S. to Kelowna B.C. It was very uncomfortable! Upon taking off my baby felt like she 'jumped' up into my ribcage as if in terror! It was like nothing I've ever felt in my life. No pain (just pressure on my ribcage) and once the plane leveled off she settled back down. I'll never forget that experience!
The only real problem with flying was constantly having to go to the bathroom. I found myself running to the restroom before boarding, during the flight, as soon as we landed etc. *Once I entered my second trimester I was in the bathroom every 45-60 minutes until the baby was born. (And, I was extremely nauseous from about 5 weeks until giving birth-but no vomiting. Flying for me didn't make it worse.)
Aside from bathroom trips the hardest part about flying was constantly having to bend down to remove/put on my shoes at security checks! LOL

I flew from Germany to the US when I was pregnant and it was fine, the experts generally allow you to fly till 3rd trimester as long as there are no complications. I would also call my doctor and get his advice. I hope that helps.

Oh yeah its save. Some airlines want you to take a note from the dr. in your third trimester. They have rules on the internet somewhere. I remember looking at them when I was pregnant with my first. I flew from Boston to Amsterdam and back while I was 26-28 weeks. I remember it was important to get up and move a lot, and not very comfortable but safe, yes.

I am still pregnant, but can tell you that I flew to Italy and back to Massachusetts during my 24/25 th week and then flew to Bermuda during my 26/27th week. It was all good. Italy was a long flight and my ankles got swollen, so try and get up and walk and drink water. If your doctor says it's fine you should be fine, especially if you are only going for a short time and the flight shouldn't be too long anyway.

Good Luck and enjoy your trip!
E.

Hi J.,

I flew to TN to help my sister with her newborn when I was 20 weeks pregnant with my first. I HATE to fly so the biggest hurdle I faced was my usual anxiety, but we both did just fine. Unless you have complications, I don't think it's dangerous to fly. IT would be best to check in with your doc and be totally sure there are no issues for you specifically. Have a great trip.