Fly safely during pregnancy



It’s normally safe to fly while you’re pregnant. However, some airlines will not let you fly towards the end of your pregnancy, so you should check what your airline’s policy is.

Blood clots (thrombosis)
Long distance travel (longer than five hours) carries an increased risk of blood clots (thrombosis), although it’s not clear if the risk is higher if you’re pregnant.
For most people, wearing correctly fitted compression stockings can reduce the risk. If you’re pregnant, wearing these stockings will reduce leg swelling. You can buy these over the counter in a pharmacy.

When to travel
Some women prefer not to travel in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy because of the exhaustion and nausea they experience in this early stage. The risk of miscarriage is also higher in this stage of pregnancy.
However, if you feel well and have discussed it with your GP, there’s no reason why you can’t travel during this time.

Most airlines will not allow you to travel after week 36 of pregnancy, or week 32 if you’re pregnant with twins or multiples.

Before you travel
If you’re planning on travelling by plane, you should discuss this with your midwife or GP.
Before you book your tickets, check with your airline and insurance company that they will allow you to travel while pregnant. After week 28 of the pregnancy, most airlines require a letter from your midwife or GP confirming:
  1. that you’re in good health
  2. that you have a normal pregnancy
  3. the expected date of delivery

Some airlines may require medical clearance if:
  1.  your delivery date is less than four weeks after your departure date, or
  2. any complications are expected in your delivery



These are 12 Steps to fly safely during pregnancy

  1.  Gestational limitations. There are usually no limitations during the first and second trimester of pregnancy regarding flying. However, once the third trimester arrives, the obstetrician will need to be a part of the final decision to fly.
  2. Seating choice. The bulkhead or emergency door seats have the most leg room. This is important for the pregnant passenger as keeping the legs propped up and moving is essential to safe flying during pregnancy.
  3. Leg support. There is an increased chance of getting blood clots while flying when pregnant. The obstetrician can prescribe support hose (not the same as pantyhose) to wear during the flight to decrease the chance of blood clots.
  4. Hydration. Hydration is very important during a flight. Make sure there is plenty of water available on the flight. The flight sized drinks may be too small, so check the airline policies to see if drinks are allowed as part of the carryon luggage.
  5. Food choice. The food served on a plane is often reheated. It may be better for mom to pack her own meal replacement bars or snacks for the flight instead of choosing the reheated meals.
  6. Caffeine and flights. Caffeine is a natural diuretic. This means the pregnant mom will need to use the small plane restroom more often if she consumes lots of caffeine.
  7. Bathroom privileges. No one likes to visit the bathroom on a plane, but being pregnant means this is a necessary evil. Booking a seat close to the bathroom is a great choice when you are pregnant. These bathrooms are small so it is essential to make sure the tummy will fit into the bathroom before taking off.
  8. Blood clots and walking. With the increased chance of getting blood clots while pregnant and while flying, walking during the flight will increase the blood flow to the legs. With turbulence being a potential problem, walk with your hands on the seats at all times.
  9. Airline guidelines. Some airlines have specific guidelines regarding pregnant passengers. Call the airline before booking the flight to rectify any problems that may arise before paying for the ticket.
  10. Buckle up. All passengers will need to buckle their seat belts during the flight. The seat belt should be fastened across the thighs and below the belly.
  11. Medical records. Carrying medical records with the carryon luggage is a smart choice when flying while pregnant. These medical records may come in handy if a doctor's appointment needs to be made while away from home. If there are any complications on the flight, the medical records may also be useful to the on flight attending physician or nurse.
  12. Complications. If there are complications with the pregnancy, it is important to gain permission from the attending physician before making plans to fly. These complications can include a multiple pregnancy and high blood pressure. The cabin pressure during a flight can increase blood pressure. If the patient is experiencing higher than normal blood pressure to begin with due to the pregnancy, this additional increase could prove to be detrimental to the health of mom and baby. –