Flying in early stages

[CassMonkey]

This is kind of wishful thinking, as I'm not actually pg yet, but I have three holidays booked from May to July and I'm a bit worried that if I did get pg now, it would be dangerous to fly. I've googled obsessively a bit and it turns out that you get a lot more radiation when flying and also I'm worried about the metal detectors. Can I opt for a pat down instead of going through the detectors? Has anyone else done that? Of course I would be over the moon if I did get pg now (it's my fourth cycle trying and have PCOS) but I'm just trying to plan ahead - I wouldn't want to put the baby at risk. Any thoughts or knowledge welcome! (I know there are guidelines and you are allowed to fly by the way but that doesn't mean it's safe, it can mean there is no evidence otherwise). Thank you! x

[eurochick]

I've been flying throughout ttc. I can't say it bothers me. I have two trips planned (one pleasure, one business) which would fall around 5-6 weeks if I get pregnant in either of my next two cycles.

[BuntyCollocks]

I flew up and down to my hometown several times, and to Dubai in my irst trimester with my son, and he's now a clever, funny, bright little button of a 1 year old.

[SingingSands]

Well, there are millions of women who travel by air each year, I guess a fair amount of them are/have been pregnant and not suffered any side effects.

Really, the radiation levels are tiny, about the same levels as standing next to a bunch if bananas.

[CassMonkey]

I know, I probably sound a bit paranoid, I just don't want to take any risks at all - I know lots of pg women do fly, but they have no research on whether it does have a negative effect. Bunty, that made me feel better, thanks. And after all I may well not even be pg by then! Has anyone ever opted for the pat down at security instead of the scanners-can I do that?

[WhenSheWasBadSheWasHorrid]

I had a bleed at 5 weeks 5 days when I was pregnant. Had a scan and they confirmed embryo was fine. I had a holiday booked 3 days after the scan. They said I was fine to go and not to worry about the flight.

Dd is now 14 months old. Had a trouble free pregnancy apart from pgp.

[lastboxoftampons]

I flew when I was about 5-6 weeks with my son and he's just as BuntyCollocks describes hers Maybe it makes them cleverer!

[farfallarocks]

I checked with 2 consultants because I am paranoid nutter because I had had 2 MCs and both were after flights and wanted to fly at 5/6 weeks, longhaul.

I was told to walk around a lot and drink water but that it does no harm at all and cannot cause miscarriages. I was still utterly paranoid though but all is well so far.

You must not put your life on hold TTC it can take ages and holidays will keep you going (and are good for the sex obviously)
Good luck!

[CassMonkey]

Thank you so much ladies! And lastboxoftampons that really made me laugh - with three holidays booked my child would be a genius! what about the scanners at security - did you all go through them? Did anyone try to ask for a pat down body check instead? Can imagine me missing my flight arguing with security! Oh hang on, I'm not even pg yet dammit. Also bad horrid what did you mean by pgp, did you mean apart from the bleed?

Any other people who have flew when pg, and all was fine, please let me know - the more I hear, the more I can be a bit less paranoid relax! x

[CassMonkey]

Sorry meant 'flew' not 'have flew'! I guess my baby will need to get the cleverness from flying rather than me hey

[eurochick]

cass there are a lot of people on the Prednisolone thread (who are mostly recurrent miscarriers so undersandably cautious) who have flown when pg (including one who flew down from Scotland to London for her consultant appointments because the miscarriage specialist was in London). I think I remember one person on there requesting a patdown.

The standard scanners wouldn't bother me. If I was asked to go into one of the "naked scanners" at Heathrow as i have been before, I would ask some questions first because that really does take an xray.