Expectant parents need to know: Can you fly when pregnant?
While it's mostly OK to travel until the last few weeks of pregnancy, there are some precautions to take depending on when you decide to book a trip and how high risk your pregnancy is. Here's what you need to know before your next vacation.
Pregnancy and Flying: Your Trimester by Trimester Guide
As a general rule of thumb, most airlines will allow pregnant people to fly right up until week 36 of pregnancy, but you should absolutely do your research before booking your flight to check restrictions. You'll also want to consult with your OB-GYN or midwife before traveling—especially if you're at a higher risk for complications during pregnancy.
Before you travel
While you may be accustomed to planning a vacation on a whim or only packing your usual necessities, there's one extra thing you should consider doing before booking a flight during your pregnancy: Opt for travel insurance.
Should travel restrictions change, your health care provider recommends you stay home, or if you experience any concerning symptoms—like bleeding, abdominal pain, swelling, headaches, vision changes, or decreased fetal movement—you'll want to postpone or cancel your plans and see your doctor as soon as possible.
According to the ACOG, travel is not recommended for pregnant people with certain complications like preeclampsia, premature rupture of membranes (PROM), or who are at risk of preterm labor.
First trimester
Flying earlier on in pregnancy is actually considered pretty safe. And, no, metal detectors won't harm your fetus.
"Pregnant women can observe the same basic precautions for air travel as the general public," Raul Artal, M.D., former vice chairman of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) Committee on Obstetric Practice, previously told Parents.
One thing pregnant air travelers should take extra precautions to avoid at any trimester? Blood clots, which pregnant people are 7 times more likely to develop—especially during long flights. To help minimize your risk, you can book an aisle seat, walk around every so often, and wiggle your legs and toes while seated.
And since morning sickness and fatigue might be your biggest first trimester complaints, you may want to check with your health care provider about bringing anti-nausea medicine with you.
Second trimester
According to the ACOG, "The best time to travel is mid-pregnancy (14 to 28 weeks). During these weeks, your energy has returned, morning sickness is improved or gone, and you are still able to get around easily. After 28 weeks, it may be harder to move around or sit for a long time."
If you're flying during your second trimester, it's a good idea to stay hydrated, think about wearing support stockings to reduce edema and clot risk, and make sure you've done your research on hospitals located near your destination should an emergency arise.
Carrying twins or more? Your health care provider might recommend you stop traveling earlier due to the higher risk of complications.
Third trimester
How late in pregnancy can you fly? If you're relatively healthy—and not at risk of complications like preterm labor, preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, or placenta previa—then you're usually OK to travel up until 36 weeks, though some OB-GYNs may prefer you stay closer to your home near the end should you encounter any complications or in case your baby comes sooner than expected.
High-risk patients—and especially those with pregnancy-induced hypertension, diabetes, and sickle-cell disease—may be advised not to fly after 24 weeks—or not at all.
Check with your doctor before traveling at the end of your pregnancy.
If you are enjoying a healthy pregnancy, plane travel is likely to be safe. The second trimester is probably the best time to fly. You're likely to be over morning sickness. Later, your expanding belly could
make airport maneuvers more challenging. Before booking, however, visit your doctor and describe the trip details. If your doctor clears you for flying, take some precautions before and during your flight to stay safe and healthy. Airlines discourage travel after 36 weeks. Contact your carrier and ask about their policy for pregnant travelers. Ask if you will need a note from your
doctor verifying your due date. Check your health insurance plan, too. What happens if you need medical help or you deliver at your destination? Are you covered? If you are traveling out of the country, see if you need a supplemental policy for coverage overseas. Consider buying medical evacuation
insurance so you can be flown home for medical care, if necessary. A few weeks before your trip (or a few months, if you are traveling internationally), see your doctor. It's especially important to get cleared for takeoff if you have a chronic medical problem such as problems with breathing. Ask about:Check Policies: Air Carriers, Insurance Carriers
Get Cleared for Takeoff
Here are some
things to consider before and during your flight: If your destination is international, take some extra precautions. To avoid the risks of
premature labor or health problems, take your trip before the third trimester. Don't fly internationally if:In Flight
Get Ready for International Travel
- This is your first pregnancy and you're 35 or older or 15 and younger.
- You are carrying more than one baby.
- You have placental abnormalities, now or in the past.
- You have any vaginal bleeding or risk of miscarriage.
Also do not fly internationally if you have a history of:
- Miscarriage
- Ectopic pregnancy
- Premature labor or premature membrane rupture
- High blood pressure, diabetes, or preeclampsia in pregnancy
Your doctor will also likely discourage travel:
- To high altitudes (more than 12,000 feet)
- To areas with serious disease outbreaks
- If your destination requires live virus vaccines for protection
Keep Risks in Perspective
Though slightly increased, these risks should not be major concerns.
Blood clots. When you are pregnant, sitting in one spot for a long time can cause blood to pool in your legs. That can raise the risk of blood clots. The recirculated cabin air and low humidity add to the risk. However, the risk is still not huge. You can lower this risk by moving around as often as your doctor recommends.
Blood pressure and heart rate. When you're pregnant and fly, your blood pressure and heart rate can go up. But experts say it's typically not enough to put you in any danger.
Body scans. The body scan technology used for security at airports is safe during pregnancy, according to the Transportation Security Administration. But you can request a hand or wand search instead.
Radiation. The occasional flight doesn't pose a problem for most pregnant women. But if you're a frequent flyer, such as business traveler, pilot, or flight attendant, you might exceed the radiation limit considered safe during pregnancy. Ask your doctor about this.