Plane during pregnancy: everything you need to know
Can you travel by plane in the first trimester of pregnancy? And in the third? Are there any risks and recommended precautions for flying safely? Here are all the answers.
Can you fly while pregnant?
Yes, in the absence of particular complications, you can fly while you are pregnant , even if it is advisable to take some small precautions.
In any case, before booking any trip, it is always advisable to ask your trusted midwife or gynecologist if the conditions for travel exist .
Furthermore, before leaving, it is advisable to find out about the hospital structures present in the country of destination, so as to be sure of having the right assistance in case of need. Finally, it is good to remember to pack your medical records with the tests performed.
Can you travel by plane in the first trimester of pregnancy?
If the pregnancy proceeds physiologically and the doctor agrees, it is possible to travel by plane even in the first 3 months of pregnancy .
In reality, however, the most suitable time to fly is the second trimester , when morning sickness decreases or disappears completely, the belly is not bulky and energy is at its highest levels.
Until when can you fly while pregnant?
Generally, unless otherwise indicated by the doctor , a pregnant woman can also fly in the third trimester , but only up to the 36th week (which corresponds to the end of the 8th month) in the case of a single pregnancy, and up to the 32nd per week (which corresponds to the end of the 7th month) in case of twin pregnancy ).
But be careful: in the last trimester of pregnancy, some airlines may require a certificate issued by the gynecologist, stating that the pregnancy is proceeding without problems. Before leaving, therefore, it is always important to inquire well with the flight company.
Is it dangerous to fly while pregnant?
As we have already said, in the absence of health problems for mother and child, flying while pregnant is not dangerous : however, there are precautions to be taken to reduce some possible risks.
- Risk of venous thrombosis
Some studies have shown that traveling immobile for more than 4 hours increases the risk of venous thrombosis, i.e. the formation of blood clots in the veins.
For this reason, during long journeys by plane (but also by train or car), it is important to move your legs often , avoiding keeping them bent or crossed for too long, and to take a few steps at least once an hour.
In particular, expectant mothers are advised to wear elastic stockings , which help reactivate circulation.
- Cosmic radiation
Cosmic radiation (from which we are usually protected by our atmosphere) increases in intensity as altitude increases.
Without going into much detail, a person should not exceed a cosmic radiation threshold value of 1 mSv (millisievert) per year. And this also applies to the fetus.
The longest of intercontinental journeys only reach 15% of this limit. Furthermore, it is estimated that to accumulate 1 mSv it would be necessary to fly about 129,000 kilometers, which is a distance far above that covered by a casual traveler, but which must be kept in mind for pilots and flight attendants .
Another consideration must be made for the increases in radiation due to solar storms , but generally these are recorded for short periods (a couple of hours). However, these storms are monitored for the safety of pregnant women.
- Air sickness
In predisposed subjects, traveling by plane can cause the so-called air sickness (motion sickness), with possible stomach pain, nausea, vomiting or dizziness.
To reduce these symptoms, the advice is to sit on the wing and have a light snack before flying.
Pregnancy and airplane: contraindications
There are some situations in which it is absolutely contraindicated to fly while pregnant, such as in the case of:
- signs of a possible miscarriage (such as abdominal cramps, abdominal pain, or vaginal bleeding)
- preeclampsia
- cervical insufficiency
- ongoing observation for preterm labor
- premature rupture of membranes (PROM)
Furthermore, the gynecologist may advise against traveling by plane if you have:
- risk conditions, such as the presence of diabetes or high blood pressure, severe anemia, placental insufficiency or clotting problems
- impaired intrauterine growth
- placenta previa
Can airplane cabin pressure harm a fetus?
If you and your baby are in good health and your ob-gyn approves of air travel during your pregnancy, your blood pressure shouldn’t be a problem.
Aircraft cabins are pressurized to ensure passenger comfort and all commercial airlines should maintain standard cabin pressure levels . As a result, the change in oxygen level is too small to affect the tissue or fluid surrounding the baby.
However, this variation will cause physiological changes in your body to ensure that you and your baby are getting enough oxygen. These include an increase in blood pressure and heart rate .
Of course, it’s not a good idea to fly in small, unpressurized aircraft while pregnant.
Kathryn Barlow is an OB/GYN doctor, which is the medical specialty that deals with the care of women's reproductive health, including pregnancy and childbirth.
Obstetricians provide care to women during pregnancy, labor, and delivery, while gynecologists focus on the health of the female reproductive system, including the ovaries, uterus, vagina, and breasts. OB/GYN doctors are trained to provide medical and surgical care for a wide range of conditions related to women's reproductive health.