There are many questions surrounding pregnancy; people often wonder what kinds of foods are best, if exercise or strenuous work is allowed, if more sleep is necessaryand so on. One of the most common questions is about airplane journeys. In the first trimester of pregnancy, are women allowed to fly on planes? Let’s find out together!
Flying During First Trimester--Will It Be Safe?
The first trimester signifies the start of fetal development; your baby’s organs are now beginning to grow. Needless to say, this is a very crucial stage of the pregnancy and requires a lot of caring. Also, the women begins to go through pregnancy-related changes, like morning sickness, swollen hands and feet, increased need to urinate, fatigue and food cravings. Before stepping on a plane, these would all be important to consider (no one wants morning sickness up in the air!).
Most doctors do not mind pregnant women flying during their first trimester; it is actually during the third trimester that pregnant women are told not to fly as it could trigger labor. Flying during the first trimester may be unadvisable if it involves too much stress which could harm the baby and the mother. It is also unadvisable if the woman has had a history of miscarriages or ill health. Flying may cause air sickness which pregnant women are particularly vulnerable to. Also, if the seats are too tight, you may feel very uncomfortable throughout the entire flight. Although one may not normally feel the high pressure when flying, pregnant women’s blood pressure and heart rate may respond to the high pressure in the plane cabin. This obviously means trouble because it is not a good thing to have an elevated blood pressure and heart rate, especially when medical help is less likely to be available.
Now let’s answer the real question: can one fly during the first trimester? Many people would, without hesitation, say yes. However, in the end, it depends on the woman herself. Is she comfortable with the idea? Is she stressed or nervous? Does she feel okay? What is her pregnancy history? Has she done it before? If you are healthy and all things are going smoothly, do not cancel your flight. Just take care of all the necessary things beforehand to make sure your journey is safe and comfortable.
Tips on Flying During First Trimester
1. Get Ready Before You Go
Do not rush and book a ticket. Consult your doctor first and make sure it is safe for you to fly. If you are going through your first trimester, most of the airlines will allow you to board, considering you are healthy and strong. At times, you need a notice from your doctor or midwife to show to the airline.
2. Safety Always Comes First
Always be prepared–get the number of a local doctor, keep your medicines with you, keep your medical reports and ultrasounds with you, and get a checkup before your flight. It is also important to call the airline beforehand and question them about their policies regarding pregnant passengers and how they cope with unexpected situations.
3. Make Your Travel Comfortable
Once you are on the plane, try to remain calm and relaxed. Keep sick bags with you because that will help you feel more at ease. Carry a pillow with you or ask an attendant to bring you one. If you feel chilly, also keep a blanket. Keep stretching and wiggling your hands and feet so that your circulation keeps flowing normally. Keep snacks available, especially the ones that you crave from time to time–flight food is not for everyone. Your clothes matter a lot. Wear comfortable shoes and loose, non-restrictive clothing. For instance,compression stockings help promote blood flow from your ankles to your heart and lungs. These stockings are so great, so do not forget to put these on before your flight.
More Questions About Flying During Pregnancy
Will Flying Harm My Baby?
Security at airports is really tight nowadays; this means the passengers has to go through various scanners to be checked before boarding on a plane. Can these scanners be harmful for the baby? No. If you are still worrying, then you can confirm this from the staff. Once you have entered the airplane, is your baby under any danger? This is very unlikely. You do have to be careful about oxygen levels, but there is no significant danger that the air pressure or any other aspect poses.
What Precaution Should I Take While Flying During Pregnancy?
Here are some precautions you should think about before you plan a travel by air:
- Consult your doctor as well as your airline—Are you allowed to fly? Is it safe to fly? What precautions have they taken for pregnant passengers?
- Avoid flying in the first trimester and completely forget about flying in the third trimester! Keep all the flying in the second trimester as that is when it is most safe.
- Try to avoid excessive flying in general. Fly only when and if you have to.
- Try to steer clear from countries that require you to take immunizations before entering.
Here is a video to give more information about the risks associated with flying during first trimester as well as the dos and don’ts in the first trimester:
