Can I get on a plane pregnant?

Pregnancy is a beautiful moment in the life of women , but it supposes greater care on the part of the woman both for herself and for her future baby . Therefore, there are several actions that the pregnant woman should take care of more than those that are not. One of the aspects that generate the most doubts in pregnant women is whether they can travel by plane, in which months of pregnancy they can do it and in which not, if there is any law that prohibits it and everything they should know before making the flight.

WHICH PREGNANT WOMEN CAN FLY, WHICH CANNOT AND THE POSSIBLE RISKS

In general, commercial aircraft flights are not dangerous , neither for the woman nor for the fetus , in the first months of pregnancy, as long as it is not a risky pregnancy . Medical recommendations [quotei] From week 36 onwards it is advisable not to travel pregnant [/ quotei] international indicate that from 28 weeks onwards, the doctor should be consulted about the possibility of traveling by plane. And from week 36, or 32 in the case of a multiple pregnancy, it is recommended not to travel, unless it is something urgent and after visiting the doctor.

It must also be taken into account that the first trimester is usually complicated for many pregnant women due to the problems of nausea and discomfort that will increase during the flight. In case of pregnancies with complications, air travel is totally discouraged because the hustle and bustle, both physical and mental, can affect the fetus and ruin the pregnancy. You also have to take into account the destination of the trip, since it is not recommended to fly to those exotic countries where there are contagious diseases and that require a previous vaccination, which is totally discouraged in the case of pregnant women.

Air travel is also not recommended for pregnant women who have a history of abortions , ectopic pregnancies , premature births, or who suffer from diseases such as diabetes, severe anemia or hypertension.

AIRLINE LAWS AND RULES ABOUT PREGNANT WOMEN ON AIRPLANES

There is currently no law that prohibits pregnant women from flying . The airlines do not prohibit it either, at least most of them, but they do limit access to flights depending on the month of pregnancy in which the woman is. Normally the deadline that airlines set for pregnant women to fly is about 36 weeks for domestic flights and 32 weeks for international flights . This is so because in the last two months of pregnancy the woman or fetus is more likely to suffer complications during a flight.

This is contrasted by the world of gynecology, which discourages flights , especially those of long duration during the last two months of pregnancy since [quotei] Long-duration flights increase the chances of suffering from thrombosis [/ quotei] increase the likely to have thrombosis or embolisms . There is also an increased risk that premature labor may occur in those later months, even if the flight itself is not the trigger. The maximum number of weeks of pregnancy allowed by each airline may vary , therefore, before buying a flight, you should check with the airline about the particular case.

In any case, most airlines require a statement exempting them from liability in the event of problems with the woman or the fetus during the flight. In case the woman wants to travel beyond 7 months, she will need a medical certificate in which the doctor indicates that there is no risk to the woman or the fetus. Doctors do not usually easily sign these certificates except for short flights in patients with a smooth pregnancy.

Therefore, before making a flight, the pregnant woman should ask her doctor about the possibility of making this trip and the airline she intends to travel with if it is possible to travel with them and what she needs to be able to make the trip. When going to the check-in window, the woman should not forget the medical certificate or the statement that exempts the airline in the event of a problem since the company may refuse to allow the woman to board the plane .

ACTIONS TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT DURING THE PLANE TRIP OF A PREGNANT WOMAN

Pregnant women should wear a seat belt below the abdomen. The most recommended areas to make the trip are the front part and those that are on the wings, since they are the areas that tend to have less movement during the flight. It is also advisable to choose the aisle seat since the space is greater and there is greater ease of movement. Pregnant women are also advised to get up often, provided the flight is calm , for short walks. This prevents the legs from swelling, activates circulation and prevents the appearance of a possible thrombosis.

Once in the seat, it is recommended that the woman lie down slightly on the left side [quotei] It is recommended to wear comfortable clothing and not put pressure on the body [/ quotei] since in this way the aorta vein will be more pressed than the cava than it is the one that best contains blood pressure. In this way, blood pressure will be more constant throughout the flight and a possible stroke is prevented. It is recommended to wear comfortable clothes that do not put pressure on the body, especially the legs and even more so if you have varicose veins.

If the weather allows it, it is advisable to wear a loose dress . Another tip that should not be forgotten is to drink enough fluids to avoid dehydration. It is also advisable to do push-ups of the fingers and toes, as well as small movements of the joints of the legs to activate blood circulation while the woman is sitting.

THE FETUS DOES NOT SUFFER FROM BEING ON AN AIRPLANE

Of course there are people who do not agree with women flying during pregnancy since they state that it is negative for the fetus because there is little oxygen in the plane. But, there are several studies that show that even in long-distance flights the baby’s heart beats at the same speed both on the ground and during take-off, flight and landing. According to these studies, this shows that the fetus receives enough oxygen throughout the flight, so flying does not harm its health. In addition, it has also been shown that the movements, vibrations and changes in speed that the plane undergoes do not affect the fetus at all.