Does anyone know anything about how safe (or not safe) long haul flights are during early pregnancy. I'd like to go to London (and back) mid year, which is about 22 flight each way, but if all goes to plan I may be pregnant by then (first trimester) and am concerned about any risks to pregnancy such a long flight may involve (eg. increased risk of miscarriage). Does anyone have any info about this, or any tips for making a long flight more safe/comfortable during pregnancy?
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Hi Simone,
I'm not sure about risks but I flew Syd/Sin at 5 months
pregnant and my feet got a bit swollen (nothing real bad).
What I did though is just before they ask you to put your
seat belt on - stand up and have a good look around the
plane to locate any groups of spare seats. (I don't mean
the cabin crews) and then as soon as the seat belt sign
is lifted make for them, lie down and you'll have a great
flight. PS. you really have to be quick cause lots of
other people will try too. I wish you an easy delivery!
Hi!
I don't have any statistics or anything. I flew Brisbane-
Copenhagen at two months pregnant, and two days later I
lost my baby. My doctor told me never to fly in the first
trimester again. He says the second tirmester is the
safest. (The third is no good in case you go in to labour,
the first is too risky)
As I said, I only have my own case to show for it, but if I
was you, I wouldn't think it worth the risk!
Anja
Simone, Try this site: www.pregnancy.com. They have a
health q and a section and also discussion boards where you
can ask your question. I only did short flights during my
first tri of pregnancy. The main things to be careful of
are getting overtired (maybe plan a stopover rather than
flying straight through but not in somewhere hot and/or
dirty) and dehydrated (carry your own drinking water).
Also if you have morning sickness, it might not be very
pleasant being stuck on a plane for a long time. Make sure
you take your own ginger (for ginger tea) or whatever other
kinds of remedies you use. I found flying later in the
pregnancy (ie, 5-6m) worse in terms of discomfort (ie, sore
back etc) and this was only on short flights too.
All the best,
Catherine (currently 7m pregnant)
I flew London - Sydney at approx 6 weeks, without incident. I requested, and AMAZINGLY received a bulkhead seat, aisle (the ones without a row in front of you at an exit) as at that stage I was going for a pee every 20 mins or so. This often eases off in the second tri, and recurs in the 3rd.
I flew from the netherlands to India when I was in my first
trimester. No problem at all! What really helped was that I
had a seat in the front, where the babyseats are. You can
put your legs up on the wall!
I flew 33 flights during my 9 months, including one with 3
weeks to go. It was USA travel to freezing Buffalo and
pleasure cross-country to San Francisco and everywhere
inbetween. It was too late when I heard not to fly in the
first tri as I was well past that. I do wonder if the
radiation up there has any long term effects, but I think
all is well. I am the proud mother of a very healthy and
intelligent child, born 9 pounds. Eat well, rest, relax and
sleep as much as you can while you still can. Walk
around and drink lots on the flight. Bring healthy snacks.
Let them know you're pregnant and they'll probably cater to
you & tell you all about their kids. Travel and enjoy being
unencumbered...it won't be long before you'll be lugging
diapers, pack-n-play, stroller, toys, etc.
I understand it isn't a good idea to fly the last month
of pregnancy, but what about the 7th and 8th month? It
would be a long flight from San Diego to England. Any
input would be appreciated.
Thanks
I am a frequnt flyer I fly about 2x a week domestically,
I asked my doctor if it was safe to fly and he said if I
was use to it, it would be ok. I am thirteen weeks so far
so good but I have tapered down my flying because it takes
too much out of me. My baby has been everwhere and he or
she is not born yet.
Enjoy!!!!!!
I worked as a flight attendant (hostess) through 2 pregnancies. I have never heard of anyone having complications due to flying. I even travelled from New York to Jakarta and back during my 8th month. I am very prone to bloating, so I brought large slippers to wear in-flight. Someone above gave advise on bulkhead seats. Though at times you have more foot-room, the arm rests do not lift up in these seats. If you are travelling with hubby, it is nice to lift them and have a few extra inches to the side. Avoid smoking flights while pregnant. If you must, request seats as far as possible from both economy AND first class smoking seats. Remember: being pregnant is not an excuse for using first class lavoratories as one woman insisted. It is, however, an excuse for asking to use the lavoratory ahead of others.
My wife will complete 8 months of pregnancy on the May
25th, 1999. We intend to take a flight from the middle east
to the States which is an 18 hour flight. We will break in
London for a day's rest ( 7 hour flight). The next day we
will fly to the States ( 8hour flight). Is it safe to
travel? P.S. She has been having pains which the doctor
suspected as premature labor pains, but fortunately they
were not. Looking forward to an early reply.