Flying when pregnant?

[nk1605]

I am about 4 weeks pregnant and due to travel with work (short haul) over the coming months. I had an early mc last month, which happened a couple of days after one of my return flights. Now, it could have had nothing to do with flying but naturally I am quite anxious about flying again so early on. Would you say I am just being completely paranoid and to continue to travel as it has already been paid for? Or should I explain to my boss that I would rather not? I will be about 7/8 weeks on the next trip.

Oh poor you, sorry for your loss. I doubt that flying is a risk at all, but maybe try and see a GP or midwife to put your mind at rest.

I'm sorry for your loss but I really doubt it was related to you flying. So many pregnant women (myself included) fly without any negative affect.

I'm sure it's nothing to do with flying. Main risk with flying is a blood clot for Mum not mmc. Just get some good compression socks and keep flying.

There's no connection, honestly. It was an unfortunate coincidence.

You can speak to your boss, but it carries a risk that they will regard you as somewhat paranoid and as not carrying out the duties you're expected to, so weigh that up first.

I'd still go tbh.

I fly regularly for work as well. Currently 26 weeks and have a trip planned in 4 weeks time, doctor hasn't said there's any reason not to. Shame it's not a holiday before baby gets here!

I've flown in both my pregnancies, including long haul. And early on in pregnancy. One pregnancy now a toddler and the other I'm 25 weeks pregnant with now. Last time round I even checked with a doctor that there was no link between flying and miscarriage, after my MIL swore she had a miscarriage caused by flying. Doctor said there is no link whatsoever, it's just that sadly, miscarriages are really common.

I would absolutely continue to travel. I travelled long haul 3 times in my first pregnancy all in first tri (6, 8 and 11 hour flights respectively) and I flew twice in this pregnancy (11 hours at 4 weeks and just a quick short haul flight at 16 weeks). In fact, the only pregnancy I didn't fly in was the one I had a mc. Normal commercial travel is perfectly safe and short haul will probably be easier on you than a long train trip or car trip at that stage when you're more likely to feel awful. I wouldn't worry about it.

Thank you all so much for the reassurance. It's so hard to shift from my mind my mc wasn't related to the flight. I guess I was just trying to attribute it to something rather than be completely lost as to why it happened. I have googled and googled and it does seem to say there is no link between flying and mc. And it is definitely good to hear real life experiences. Thanks again!

I had a miscarriage on a flight, yes it was awful. But ultimately I think the miscarriage was always going to happen, it was just unfortunate that was the time and place. I have flown multiple times with this pregnancy, both early days and now later on. Touch wood it’s all been fine. Pilots and cabin crew must fly when pregnant.

Thanks @McToot. Sorry you had to go through that 🙁 I know people have told me it would have always happened whether or not I was flying, but still can't help but blame nearly everything around that time. Thinking if I hadn't have got the flight it might have been different. Who knows.

Ah I’m the same. But honestly you’re not to blame, nor is the decision you made to get on that flight. I completely understand your reservations of flying again, I was petrified when I flew with this pregnancy. But everything was fine, I’ve flown a further 3 times since then and will be again this weekend. Be kind to yourself.

Pilots and cabin crew must fly when pregnant

I used to know someone who was BA cabin crew and the minute you declare you're pregnant they make you ground staff. I'm sure they're just covering their backs though and probably more related to long hours and needing to take more frequent breaks than anything else.

Ooo interesting! You learn something new every day.

I used to know someone who was BA cabin crew and the minute you declare you're pregnant they make you ground staff.

That's because flying does expose you to a slightly higher level of the natural radiation in the atmosphere. It's insignificant for someone who's only flying occasionally but they play it safe for flight staff since their job is to fly day in, day out.

Bottom line, a single or even occasional flight genuinely has no association with miscarriage. Most of the time a miscarriage is caused by abnormalities with the embryo that no-one could have done anything about. That's unsatisfying, but true - it's just bad luck.

I have been on 6 flights during this pregnancy. My first was at 7 weeks, 3 days after I had bled and had an early scan- the midwife told me to go and enjoy my holiday! Try not to worry x

I flew at 10 weeks. Checked with my midwife first and she pointed me to this:

www.rcog.org.uk/globalassets/documents/patients/patient-information-leaflets/pregnancy/air-travel-pregnancy.pdf

I'd had a miscarriage previously so was very worried about flying. I'm now 27 weeks and all fine.