Flying when pregnant

[conkeyhead]

I'm flying to spain when I'll be nearly 16 weeks pregnant. I'm not worried about it at all, but it's my second, and I'm already looking soooo pregnant and so big; does anyone think I should take a note from the doctor or midwife in case I get any bother at the airport with officials not believing i'm so early into it? Or is that a bit silly?? I'm wondering how much they care??
thanks,

The reason that sometimes you see advice that it is more risky to fly during the first 12 weeks is that the first 12 weeks of pregnancy are generally seen to be the time when the pregnancy is most at risk from loss as it is less established. The risk of loss from anything that could be definitely attributed to flying (unlikely) would be negligible in comparison to all the other things that could cause a pregnancy loss at that stage. (Most pregnancy losses at 12 weeks or under are unexplained & unfortunately it is generally routine that unless you have had 1 or 2 previous losses that the cause of a loss would not be investigated)

There is no increased risk from any scanning devices or the additional radiation dose received from flying in the upper atmosphere. If a pregnant woman was to somehow go through the luggage x-ray scanner in the first trimester there could be a theoretical risk to the fetus. Non-pregnant people have gone through luggage scanners (as pranks) and there has even been a young baby out through that was concealed in luggage but there is negligible increased risk of detrimental health risks.

I flew at 11weeks UK to Australia - about as far as you can go! I just made sure I drank loads & tried to keep legs active. I took shoes off but used a cheap pair of slippers to go to the loo in case of finding a wet floor from previous occupants!

I flew to NY when I was 15 weeks with no problems. Like the other posters, I took a copy of my maternity notes with me.
Be careful of the jetlag when you come back - it took me much longer than usual to recover.

And remember to yell at security when they are being rough at body searching you. I just had a row with security staff in Schiphol Airport for being so rough when checking my trousers waistband - it was unnecessary when I am obviously pregnant!

Hello,

I'd booked a holiday to the carribean before finding out i was pregnant. Problem is the journey there and back involves 3 flights - one from UK to NY (about 8 hours), next day flight from NY to Puerto Rico (7 hours) and then another 1 hour flight on the same day in a small aeroplane. I'll be 12 weeks pregnant..

Amongst other things (xrays, DVT etc)I'm really worried that the constant change in pressure because of all the different flights will cause harm to the baby

Does anyone have advice? I so wish i'd gone for the more expensive direct flight now!

DVT - wear support stockings/circle ankles etc

X-ray - do you normally go through the baggage belt? Otherwise only metal detector.

I don't know about the pressure changes but I don't think there is any evidence it causes harm is there?

Hi

Im now 32 weeks pregnant, I flew to South Africa when i was 18 weeks it took almost 24 hours to get there with fight changes. Every thing was fine it is safe to fly up to about 36 weeks pregnant. Wear some flight socks, do some ankle exercises whilst sitting on the plane to prevent DVT and make sure you drink plenty of water. I am a midwife and this is the advice I give my patients!.. Enjoy your holiday

You won't be asked at 16 weeks about your pregnancy. I have flown four times in the past two weeks and am now 32 weeks pregnant and HUGE (like end of pregnancy huge!). Three of the flights nothing was mentioned. The last flight the check-in lady nervously asked "um excuse me, I hope I don't offend you with this question, but are you pregnant". . I then offered her my doctors note, which I had as I was flying abroad after 30 weeks, but I wouldn't have bothered with one prior to that (especially as you are charged 15 quid for them).

hi.
im trying for a baby this month after loosing 2.so if i fall my baby wil be due 28th december and i am curently in izmir with my husband who wont be cuming home with me to have the baby for other reasons so i wanted to stay at late as i could does any body know how many weeks i can fly with british airways or a company tht flys from izmir to london where i can go on at about 36 weeks??
and at 28 weeks pregnant what month we will be in if i have to go home at that date
sorry to bother
hope u guys can help
xx
just mee

HI
whats the danger in flying before 12 weeks as my partner and i have been trying for 4 months but not concieved yet,were thinking about going away end of june

I flew to France (only an hour and a half in the air) at Xmas, coming back on the last day of my 36th week, which BA allows but other airlines didn't. I had my notes, obviously, and a letter from GP to say was ok and fit to travel. As I looked so big, they did check my letter on both journeys, and looked carefully at my dates.
You should be fine at 16 weeks, but also check your travel insurance has you covered well.
On the plane: Drink lots of water, wiggle your feet about, get up and walk about a bit, and then have a great time in Spain. xx

I came home yesterday from a holiday. It wasn't a far flight, but a flight nonetheless. I flew from Dublin to Aberdeen and back again.

I am 33 weeks pregnant, got a midwife letter to say I was safe and able to be on a flight and I also bought travel insurance (from Ravenhill company which is for pregnant people).

No airport personel asked for my letter or even spoke to me. I really was expecting someone to at least mention my big bump to me! But no one did.

The flight was fine, except for baby kicking the life out of my ribs . No probs.

Thinking of doing an 11 hour flight at 32 weeks and coming back to London at 34 - anyone got any good or bad stories around this one? Am now 4 months ... needing to weigh it all up

Hi

I work for an airline and managed the risk monitoring for those rays and can say that the rays you receive in flight (cosmic radiation) are not a concern at all for passengers even when pregnant.

Scanners (metal detectors) are not dangerous but x Ray scanners like those at heathrow should be avoided but you can have a manual search.

If you are worried about being questioned, take your notes for info. Not just useful for flying but just in case u need medical help in resort.

If you know that you are nervous when flying let a cabin crew member know even if you feel stupid! They are trained to deal with this and pregnant passengers. Personally I wouldn't suggest drinking when flying and pregnant due the effects on your body of alcohol at altitude however you are on such a short flight you could try it. I use a vino...or two normally to relax in flight but wouldn't when pregnant as I know my body. Plus the dehydration is worse when flying so make sure if you do have a tipple, you top up on water for baby.

At 16 weeks you shouldn't get asked iunless you look further along. I'm off to Egypt at 27 weeks but 28 weeks is the cut off date for a doctors fit to fly note with the airline so for peace of mind I'm getting a note after a pre flight check up just to make sure my blood pressure etc is ok anyway.

For the other posters concerned about long haul flights....I flew to Thailand (11 hours out 13 hours back) at 12 weeks and had to sleep more to get over the time difference. I did a further 4 internal flights. On my return flight my morning sickness was awful so I really recommend getting an aisle seat, moving about in flight and telling your crew you are pregnant and want to ensure you are hydrated they should be able to help if they a good crew. On an airline with complimentary drinks ask for a bottle of water rather than a small cup it'll stop you constantly asking for one!

I had previous losses and had a scan and check up before my Thailand flight and despite my losses they were happy for me to fly.

Enjoy your holidays ladies!! Now if I can find a solution to not looking like a beached whale......

I'm taking a short flight in a couple of weeks. I asked my midwife for a letter just in case as I couldnt think of anything worse than getting there and not being allowed to fly. Better safe than sorry!!

I flew back from a holiday at 34 weeks, I was not askked anything. I suppose if you have your notes with you , you do not need to ask for a "special" doctor's note.

The only other thing I would add is to suggest you get an aisle seat. I remember needing the toilet more frequently when I was pregnant!