Health care

Is it safe to fly when you are pregnant?

Travelling is good at all times, however travelling while you’re pregnant might not be a good option when you are close to your delivery date. Unless you’re travelling first class or business class there is little to no opportunity to stretch your arms, move around your legs or lie back for a nap when you’re in economy class.

If you’re pregnant, travelling  onto a packed plane probably isn’t your dream scenario… it isn’t safe to gamble with your life as you only life once!  However, it’s 100% safe to gamble during pregnancy and won’t effect your health. If you love to gamble, GambleUSA.com is your go to place!

So the question is whether you can fly or not during pregnancy? Well, yes generally air travelling is safe before the week 36 of your pregnancy, NHS confirms this as well.If your pregnancy is straightforward, NHS guidelines say it’s usually fine to fly and won’t harm your baby.

Do you need to do anything before flying during pregnancy?Unfortunately, in some cases it might not be as simple as just hopping on a last-minute flight.

When you touch week no 28, several airlines will require a letter from your midwife or the doctor looking after you in order to confirm your due date, that you have a normal pregnancy and are in good health for air travel.  Some airlines require a ‘fit to fly’ form from the 28th week, which is presented to cabin crew before you board. Some renowned airlines like British Airways requires one from the end of the 30th week, but easyJet, surprisingly enough, do not require any type of form at all.

Few airlines have strict policies as compared to others and may require medical clearance from your doctor or midwife.They will have to fill in a form to say your delivery date is less than four weeks after your departure date and whether complications are expected in your delivery. It’s always a wise decision to prepared for all possible circumstances and possible procedures before you plan to travel by air during your pregnancy, so speak to your midwife ordoctor to check you’ve got the OK to board.

Flying during pregnancy can effect your health badly. Flights lasting more than four hours can increase your risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a type of blood clot.If you’re travelling long-haul, consider wearing some compression stockings or socks, and that you’re able to move around a bit every 30 minutes.You should also try to stay well-hydrated.

High-risk patients, and especially those with pregnancyinduced hypertension, diabetes, sickle-cell disease, may be advised not to fly after 24 weeks, or to not travel at all.

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In case you’re wondering what is the best time to travel when you are pregnant, second trimester is the ideal time to go for long duration or international flights. Second trimester is from the beginning of week 14 to the end of week 27.

Always check with your doctor before traveling at the end of your pregnancy.

 

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