Pregnant - is it more important for me to sleep or walk around on the plane? ✈️

[Willtree]

I’m going on a long haul flight, the timing of the flight will be 9pm - 8am UK time.

Clearly I will need to try and get some sleep, but at the same time I’ve been told by my midwife to walk up and down the aisle every hour!

I will be in my second trimester (15-16 weeks). I’m getting stressed about it! Any advice please?

When I did it at that gestation I just slept. I upgraded though so I could have my feet up on a flatbed!

I wouldn't worry that much, walk a bit, wriggle your feet around regularly, wear compression socks.

Thank you

I travelled at a similar gestation and definitely made sure I got some sleep! Wore my DVT socks and stretched out my legs whenever I woke up (I'm a light sleeper on planes anyway)

There is a helpful patient info leaflet produced by the RCOG called Air Travel and Pregnancy that may be useful for you to read. HTH.

Air Travel & Pregnancy

Just get up and walk around when you're awake. I mean, I can't really recall sleeping for more than 2 hours straight on a long haul flight - and I've done a lot of them. The first 3 hours will just be getting settled and meal/drinks service. Then you doze a bit, get up and walk before and after. Doze a bit more, walk around when you wake up. Walk a bit more before you have your final meal/before you get off. Lots of water. An aisle seat will be the best choice you can make. It will make life so much easier - also you'll need to wee a million times. You'll be absolutely fine. It's the best time in your pregnancy to travel.