Baby On Board? Here's A Guide To Flying While Pregnant

2022-06-18 17:49:14 By : Ms. Anna Lan

It is generally safe to fly while pregnant, and air travel won’t interfere with pregnancy, particularly for non-high-risk women.

Who doesn’t love to travel the world and the seven seas, as the song says? However, the story becomes different when flying while pregnant. This does not mean people will have to cancel vacation and travel plans. On the contrary, many travel lovers take tens of flights even when pregnant. This is because it is generally safe to fly while pregnant, and air travel won’t interfere with pregnancy, particularly for non-high-risk women. However, when carrying a baby, any woman is advised to consult with her healthcare provider to determine whether flying while pregnant is a wise decision to take. For instance, some doctors require that a woman delays her trip to the second trimester of her pregnancy. This is when the least emergencies occur. Here’s a guide that provides the best tips for flying while pregnant.

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A woman must check the airline rules if she’s flying while pregnant. She must let the airline know of her situation to avoid any surprises at the boarding gate or the check-in counter. Generally speaking, the majority of airlines allow people to fly while pregnant without issues or restrictions as long as they didn’t reach their 36th week of pregnancy.

However, a woman must check her airline rules and ask about them since some operators require documentation that proves the gestation age. The healthcare provider issues this document.

This is why a woman must check her condition first with her healthcare provider to determine whether she’s allowed to fly while pregnant.

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A woman should take precautions and follow these best tips for flying while pregnant. For instance, many women will be concerned about dealing with tiredness or morning sickness when flying while pregnant during their first trimester. This is why they may feel better booking a short flight instead of a longer one. They would also feel more comfortable knowing what to pack in a carry-on for a short flight. This is because pregnant women must pack many items and things while traveling. During the early pregnancy weeks, women will also be concerned about their baby’s safety. This is because, according to the NHS, during the first three months of pregnancy, the risk of miscarriage is higher, whether the woman is traveling or not. While this issue is not related to flying while pregnant, a woman will feel more comfortable discussing the matter with her doctor or midwife.

The story changes during the second trimester of pregnancy. Women may believe this is the most incredible time for flying while pregnant because they will have gotten over morning sickness and reclaimed their energy levels. There is also a very low risk of delivery during this trimester, reducing the stress levels for pregnant ladies. They are recommended to get a pregnancy pillow that makes their lives comfortable when flying while pregnant. As discussed earlier, pregnant women are advised to get a fit to fly letter from their healthcare provider to present it to the airline in case they ask for it. Another thing not to forget is to pack all medical records in the hand luggage.

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There are many helpful do’s and dont’s to adopt when flying while pregnant. For example, a pregnant woman must consider wearing compression socks when traveling. She should also make herself comfortable by wearing loose clothes. Water is essential, and people must continuously drink even when they’re not pregnant. Thus, pregnant women should drink plenty of water during their flights. Some pregnant women suffer from swelling in their feet. This is why they should consider wearing slip-on shoes. A good idea would be to sit only a few rows away from the onboard toilets when flying while pregnant. Women are also advised to keep the blood flowing by moving around when flying while pregnant. They should also consider reading the in-flight health advice.

On the dont’s side, there are many tips for flying while pregnant. Women should not be shy on the plane, and they should ask for a seat belt extender if they feel they need it. It is against airline safety policy for pregnant women to sit in an emergency exit row. Thus, people must avoid doing that when flying while pregnant. When ladies don’t have anyone with them to assist, they should consider packing lightly when pregnant to avoid lifting heavy bags.

Gabi is a travel writer passionate about nature, geographical wonders, various cuisines, writing, and living life to the fullest. Through his work, Gabi will transport you into a world of marvelous attractions where you will learn about the various landmarks and places of interest that distinguish any country around the planet. You will enjoy reading his ultimate guides to undiscovered destinations and his articles about various travel experiences. Gabi also works as a consultant and writer for several travel agencies and business organizations. He loves traveling, reading, partying, and making friends. Reach out to Gabi on kyrillosgabi3@hotmail.com