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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Flying in early stages

18 replies

CassMonkey · 18/04/2012 22:45

Hello, I technically belong in the conception chat rooms (can't wait to join you all here!!) but I just posted in there and then thought actually I might be better off asking you ladies. Has anyone flown in the early stages of pg, perhaps two or three times, and was it all ok? Am worried about the increased radiation and the metal detectors - did anyone opt for a pat down check instead? I know you are allowed to fly according to regulations etc, but just worried there is an increased risk of harm to baby or mc if you fly lots? Any experiences would help! Am ttc and have three holidays in next three months. Thank you x

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

BikeRunSki · 18/04/2012 22:48

I flew ti Nice and back at 7 weeks. Was fine. Would have been he'll with Morning Sickness, but that didn't start til about 4 seconds after I got back.

Casperette · 19/04/2012 05:04

I flew to USA at eight weeks, 3 days after getting BFP!! each time I got to a scanner, I told them and each time still went through as was told it would be fine.

Thankfully, I've not suffered with sickness, that could have been awkward on the plane!!

Just check your insurance for pregnancy cover, especially if your out of Europe.

All the best with ttc and have fab holidays
Xx

Rosa · 19/04/2012 06:13

I flew at 6 weeks then at 12 and 16 ( and more afterwards) before 12 i discreetly told the security staff that I was pg and would prefer to avoid the machines..". I was also at the airport for work and had to go through security - they were great and did body search everytime .....

Bellaboo123 · 19/04/2012 06:41

Hi,
I just wondered if you have to do anything different - I read something about flight socks...is that for later on?
Thanks!

josie314 · 19/04/2012 09:14

Hi,

In my first trimester I flew constantly due to work...spent something like 40 hours on

josie314 · 19/04/2012 09:18

In my first trimester I flew constantly due to work...spent something like 40 hours in the air. I spoke to my doctor before and he said not to worry about it as it was unlikely to hurt the baby. Wear flight socks, keep hydrated and move around a lot. Normal scanners are fine, but you may want to avoid the x-ray ones (which are rare anyway).

I'm now 33 weeks and the baby is perfectly healthy.

CupOfBrownJoy · 19/04/2012 09:32

There's nothing in any guidelines I've seen about avoiding flying in early pregnancy...

Rosa · 19/04/2012 14:19

I only did long haul when I was 5 /6 mths and yes wore socks complete bu**ger to put on needed help !!! I also had extra leg room or business seats , drank lots , lost count of how many times I went for a wee, also did lots of ankle excercises etc DD1 is now 6. WHen pg with dd2 I just did short haul ..toddler and pg woman in aircraft loo now that was fun !

WaitingForMe · 19/04/2012 15:02

I flew the one hour to Amsterdam and back at 8 weeks and morning sickness was pretty horrific. It wouldn't stop me going again but I needed to nibble on food the entire time and still threw up upon landing the second time so would carry sick bags.

I wore flight socks and on the advice of a friend with low blood pressure I ate salted nuts to stave off dizziness.

Sorry to share a crappy story but even if you had my exact symptoms with a bit of planning it'd not be a reason not to go.

Original poster

CassMonkey · 19/04/2012 15:06

Thanks everyone, and Rosa that's reassuring they let you say no to the machines, did you have to show a doctor's note or anything? Was it fine going both ways to not go through the machines - where did you go to?

Although Josie, they said it was 'unlikely to hurt the baby' not that it definitely won't - I think that's what bothers me, I think they just don't know for sure and I'm thinking even if there is just a teeny tiny chance of harm, I wouldn't risk it. However it does make me feel better that other people did it with no probs. If it was one holiday, I wouldn't feel so bad, but it's six flights in total.

Anyone else who has flown in early stages, please let me know your experience :) I prob won't even get pg now! Fingers crossed I will at some point this summer though, PCOS allowing x

OP posts:

elvislives2012 · 19/04/2012 15:20

I flew new York to London at 9 weeks. No problem. Opted out of body scanner and had pat down instead, no problem! Flying poses no risk, don't worry. If it did cann u imagine the court cases and litigation that would follow?!

Rosa · 19/04/2012 15:28

In early stages it was European short haul , GAtwick , and Italian Airports and they were fine. I had to wait a couple of times for a female assistant. I had a doctors note saying I was Pg but never needed it. Long haul it was USA and again I had a note also how many weeks I was along just incase i needed to prove it. I asked for a body 'pat' and at Miami, NewYork and Orlando they were fine. My final flight was at 28 weeks I think it was it was the final week that Easy jet permitted you to fly and this was the only time I showed my medical certificate....

Velo · 19/04/2012 19:33

I was 11 weeks flying to South Sudan. I wore flight socks (I always do for long flights), got a aisle seat - morning sickness/needing to pee. Only problem was that I had a really sore tailbone but shoved an extra pillow under my back and all was fine. Also had to take malaria tablets (larium) and ate a lot of 'stew' because I least I knew the food was properly cooked.

I also had lots of flights in v. early stages of pregnancy around Europe. No problems at all.

Enjoy your flight!

sharond101 · 19/04/2012 21:59

I flew to Australia at 18weeks and home at 21 weeks without problems other than feeling uncomfortable for such a long time in a cramped place. No issues with he scanners or metal detectors. Doctor told me to drink lots and walk around as much as possible. Would have struggled in first 14weeks due to sever morning sickness.

HaggisNeepsTatties · 19/04/2012 22:03

Just a note on the x-ray scanners, not sure about elsewhere but at Manchester Airport you have to go through them if you are asked to even if you are pregnant. If you don't they won't allow you to fly. I had to and they gave me a leaflet to explain why. Apparently the radiation levels you get when you are actually in the air are much higher (though still shouldn't cause a problem)

Mama1980 · 19/04/2012 22:07

I flew back to uk at 15 weeks and opted out of walking through the scanners, I told the guard I was pg and he was fine to do a quick check instead. Don't want to put you off but my morning sickness was horrendous so if I were u i would take crackers, sick bags and drink as much as possible as well as requesting a aisle seat. I found the flight attendants fabulous and very understanding though

Zara1984 · 19/04/2012 22:14

I recently did longhaul to NZ and Australia from Dublin at 8 and 10 weeks. Totally fine except the jetlag was harder to get over, and I had very swollen feet and ankles. Judging how super active the baby was on ultrasound last week, there were no negative effects!

Flying poses no problems in pregnancy (except in very late pregnancy). My GP and consultant both said flying does not cause any problems in early pregnancy, it's just that it would be pretty shit if you started to miscarry up in the air (especially on eg a 12 hour flight).

Fly away! There's no problem

Zara1984 · 19/04/2012 22:19

Oh and I went through all the scanners etc. DH (phd in physics) tells me that being scared the scanner will damage your baby with radiation is like being scared your TV will damage the baby by radiation. ie it's an irrational fear based on misinformation and ignorance. The radiation levels are tiny.

Make sure you drink lots and lots of water to keep you feeling comfortable! I was also very gassy on the flights

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