Flying While Pregnant – Expert Tips
Flying while you’re pregnant is generally very safe as long as you’re in good health and your pregnancy is developing normally. However, there are most assuredly some important precautions to take in order to maximize comfort and keep yourself from taking unnecessary risks. We’ve asked pregnancy experts to weigh in:
When to travel
• "Travel is easiest before your 20th week of pregnancy. After 20 weeks, whether you travel should depend on where you plan to travel, how you will travel, the distance you will travel, the length of time you will be away from home (and your health-care provider). A quick flight will be different from a long car ride across the country, or a trip overseas. Before you plan a trip, you should always talk to your health-care provider." – Colleen Lanin, The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada
• "As long as a woman has a normal, healthy pregnancy, the second trimester is best for flying. First trimester symptoms like nausea have abated, and you’re not yet feeling overwhelmed by the size of your pregnant belly." – Laura Lambert, managing editor of BabyZone.com
Where to travel
• "Consider what kind of medical services will be available in a foreign country should you have an emergency or go into labour while away. The department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada is a good place to start for this information." - Jennifer Geduld, manager in the division of Travel Health at the Public Health Agency of Canada
Seeing your doctor
• "Go to your doctor and tell her or him that you’re planning to fly and make sure they thoroughly examine you to be sure you have no conditions that would prevent you from travelling without incident. Pregnant women should also ask their doctors about vaccines, which are very destination dependent, so be sure to tell your doctor exactly where you’ll be travelling so they can determine what vaccines, if any, you’ll need. Then, get a signed and dated letter from your doctor saying that you are fit for air travel." – Jennifer Geduld
In the air
• "Get an aisle seat so you’ve got room. Do some exercises while you’re sitting to keep the blood flowing. Don’t sit immobile for hours, as pregnant women are especially vulnerable to blood clots. And don’t forget to stay hydrated since the cabin air is so dry. Also remember to have your updated medical records – including ultrasounds – when travelling." - Anne Wilson, president of the Canadian Association of Midwives
• "Later in pregnancy, dehydration is a serious issue, as it can be a trigger for early labour." – Laura Lambert
• "To avoid heartburn, it’s best to snack often when pregnant. I kept a few snacks with me onboard (those that I was allowed), as well as bottled water. Pregnant women should also wear very comfortable shoes and bring along some water mist and hand cream. It will bring more ease to any discomfort you might experience." – Julia M Chiarella-Genoni of Ask Mama MOE
For partners of pregnant women
• "They might overlook the fact that a pregnant partner is a slower and bigger partner! I know it seems obvious, but for the one who is not pregnant, going through the motions of getting to a flight, waiting in lines, sitting in the airplane seats and walking in the aisles is...easier. Partners need to be in-tune with the extra time and effort it will take to experience the whole flight." – Julia M Chiarella-Genoni
For further reading
Flying while pregnant
Products to help make pregnant travel easier
