Skip to main content
Skip to main navigation
Skip to talk navigation

Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Saved Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Flip

Get updates on how your baby develops, your body changes, and what you can expect during each week of your pregnancy by signing up to the Mumsnet Pregnancy Newsletters.

1 2

Get updates on how your baby develops, your body changes, and what you can expect during each week of your pregnancy by signing up to the Mumsnet Pregnancy Newsletters.

Pregnancy

Flying in early pregnancy

28 replies

Chlo22 · 25/01/2017 20:07

Wondered if anyone had any advice.. I'm only 4 + 5 days but am due to go on holiday next Friday to Dubai. I've read a few things online saying it's risky to fly in first trimester but the NHS website seems to say it doesn't increase risk of miscarriage, just obviously not ideal if you have nausea or if you do have a mc as not a lot you can do up in the air. Has anyone else flown early on? X

OP posts:

Thanks

Share

Report

Crumbs1 · 25/01/2017 20:08

In my day nobody knew they were pregnant until at least 8 weeks. Go and enjoy without fretting.

Thanks

Sparklyuggs · 25/01/2017 20:09

I fly twice a week a similar distance to Ireland. My GP said it's fine, for flight attendants and pilots there's a radiation limit for pregnancy but that would be daily flying and long haul (higher up the more radiation). Biggest issue is morning sickness during the seatbelt on sign!

Thanks

Figgygal · 25/01/2017 20:10

Ive done it in both pregnancies no issues

Thanks

ElsieBobo · 25/01/2017 20:13

I went to Thailand at 8w pregnant with my first. It was great, I got to sleep for hours on end on the flight! Much better than when I usually fly and can't nod off.

Thanks

Chlo22 · 25/01/2017 20:17

Thanks all. I'd never even heard of there being any risk, was only something someone told me and so then of course I reverted to dr Google. It's taken a while to get bfp so I'm probably just being over cautious x

OP posts:

Thanks

HappyGirl86 · 25/01/2017 20:18

I found out I was pregnant (very early days!) when I was on honeymoon in Las Vegas. I flew back and my pregnancy was all fine. My baby is nearly one now.
The only thing I think you need to be aware of it places that have the Zika virus. I don't think Dubai is affected? A friend was advised not to go to Texas as they had cases there

Thanks

RuskBaby · 25/01/2017 20:23

I flew a few times throughout my pregnancy and had crazy morning sickness, if afflicted I recommend nappy sacks for being sick if the seatbelt lights are on. Otherwise I think you could worry too much and put life on hold for just incase. Have a wonderful time.

Thanks

harleysmammy · 25/01/2017 20:31

My sister in law had a really sicky time when she was first pregnant, she had cysts and things and spent so much time in hospital, at 7 weeks i think, her and my brother went to florida and my nephew was born 5 days ago. I know you cant fly like 3 weeks before your due but theres no regulation for early pregnancy, if there was any danger i think they'd put regulations in for early and late pregnancy not just late x

Thanks

raviolidreaming · 25/01/2017 21:22

I would believe the NHS over Dr Google!

Thanks

seanlim · 26/01/2017 13:15

@HappyGirl86 Yes you are true, The spread of Zika Virus remains low in UAE. As per studies Zika virus is spreading mostly in the carribean and latin america.

@Chlo, first of all congratulations on your pregnancy. I live in Dubai and I am a proud mother of two. I have travelled many times in my initial days of pregnancy with no complications. So if you are traveling to Dubai next week, I would say it is safe to travel. During your stay if in anycase you had to consult a OBGYN in Dubai I would recommend Dr. Fadia Fadel of Saudi German Hospital Dubai who has been my doctor for almost 4 years now . I can't say enough about how wonderful Dr. Fadia is! She is a patient listener and really listens to the concerns you have with a sincere attitude. Enjoy you stay in Dubai.. Good Luck..!

Thanks

Chlo22 · 26/01/2017 13:39

Thanks everyone and thank you@Seanlim. I'm sure everything will be fine but great to have a name of a doctor just in case. I did look at the zika virus and it's very low in Dubai so not concerned about that. Will be nice to go away and relax! xx

OP posts:

Thanks

Hollyhop17 · 26/01/2017 15:19

I flew at 9 weeks. Perfectly safe for the baby but bloody awful for me as I was so sick. If your MS isn't too bad then I think it will be fine. Enjoy your holiday!

Thanks

LondonRoo · 26/01/2017 15:38

I flew to Italy at 7 weeks... Called the midwife to ask at the time and was told it's safe, stay hydrated and have a nice time! Main challenge as others have said is potential nausea on the flight!

The only problem I could see was that the risk of miscarriage is relatively high generally in early pregnancy so there is always a possibility of it happening when you're abroad. Flying won't change the outcome but going through that in a different country is probably going to be more stressful than being at home. I figured the flight was not going to change anything so just went rather than missing out on a trip. I also double checked my travel insurance documents to make sure pregnancy related issues were covered (they were).

Congrats on your pregnancy and enjoy your holiday. If anything helps ease your nausea make sure you have a little stash! Remember the most likely outcome by far is everything being absolutely fine!

Thanks

kep1979 · 27/01/2017 12:33

I flew long haul at 5 weeks during my last pregnancy; I was very nervous as I had Mc a month before at 6 weeks. I did see my GP and he said there is no evidence that flying makes a difference, and the only consideration was to make sure I had adequate insurance in place just in case anything happened - he wasn't insinuating that anything would, just that obviously in the early stages of pregnancy there is more chance of mc generally. All was fine, and had an early scan whilst massively jet lagged on the day we got home!

Thanks

Heatherbell1978 · 27/01/2017 12:38

I never even thought it was a risk until you get to the point I am now (36 weeks) when you could go into labour in the air! This is my second pregnancy and I've flown loads of times during pregnancy at various stages. I really wouldn't worry.

Thanks

eurochick · 27/01/2017 12:56

It's fine. Plenty of people have IVF in clinics abroad and fly home. I flew for work several times through pregnancy, including at 10 weeks. This was a high risk 4th round IVF pregnancy, but there was no reason not to fly.

Thanks

Laura2507 · 27/01/2017 21:12

I was due to go to Barcelona for a work trip at 13 weeks (week after next) but have decided not to go. I don't believe flying is a risk but I've been quite sick, lots of food aversions and tiredness and just thought I would end up feeling dreadful in another country with no support. (I would not be going with any other UK colleagues even). The agenda for the work trip was really long days as well. Plus worse case scenario I didn't want to be abroad on my own if I did need hospital for any reason.

However if you are going away with someone, feel quite well in yourself and think that you could get by whilst abroad even if you do feel unwell then I would say go for it. I think it depends on individual circumstances but I really don't believe there is a risk with flying itself (unless like PP said flying is your day job).

Thanks

Blondeshavemorefun · 27/01/2017 21:17

I was told short haul ok 4ish hours but not long haul /over that

I did fly at 14w on holiday but

Wore flight socks
Walked about lots
Drink lots of water
Consultant put me on fragim

Tho did have a dvt 10yrs ago

If this is a very much precious long awaited baby then honestly I would think twice about going in such early days /first tri

Thanks

Ammelou · 27/01/2017 21:23

I flew to New York at 9 weeks pregnant. My midwife told me to drink lots of water, walk around on the flight and wear flight socks. No major risk, just enjoy yourself!

Thanks

FartnissEverbeans · 28/01/2017 10:29

I live in the Middle East. We flew to the U.K. and back during my pregnancy, as well as a trip to Japan in my first trimester and a few short haul flights to Europe in the second. It was fine, albeit a bit uncomfortable later on!

Wear those sock things and get up to walk about regularly. UK to Dubai isn't a long flight and the planes are generally really comfortable. You'll be grand. Enjoy your holiday!

Thanks

FartnissEverbeans · 28/01/2017 10:33

Also I want to echo a previous poster and say that the medical care in the UAE is great so if you had to see a dr for any reason you would be extremely well taken care of.

Thanks

INeedNewShoes · 28/01/2017 10:37

I flew shorthaul both during the two week wait and then again at 7 weeks for a holiday. I didn't give flying a second thought but I did, before I set off, look up online and write down the details of the nearest medical centre with an obstetric unit just in case anything happened while I was away that couldn't wait until I got home (ie heavy bleeding or suspected ectopic).

Thanks

MNK88 · 14/12/2019 13:21

I know this thread is old, but wondered if anyone knows if flying during implantation has risks? What about flying while 4 weeks pregnant? Thank you in advance for your answers!

Thanks

R2D2abc · 14/12/2019 15:01

@Chlo22 the only problem I see in early pregnancy is if you're a lot sick, as you might not enjoy it.

The only advise is towards the end of pregnancy, unless your doctor tells you specific reason that you shouldn't fly.

It's good when your far along in your pregnancy, when flying, to have some walks to keep your blood moving in your legs too.

Thanks

Annafs · 14/12/2019 15:26

Hi OP I’m five weeks and currently waiting at the airport for my flight to Spain! Had a previous mc a while ago so quite anxious but I am a nurse so trying to keep my professional hat on and remember that it’s fine. I’ve got ginger biscuits, chewing gum and a travel sickness arm band in hope that it will be okay. I feel that provided you haven’t got HG and constantly sick, you should be absolutely fine.

Thanks

Flip

1 2

Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.