Pregnancy and airplane travel

Pregnancy and flying on an airplane is a real mystery for a modern business lady who is preparing to become a mother. So is it possible to fly on an airplane during pregnancy or are there contraindications, and should expectant mothers be wary of flying on an airplane?

Traveling is an integral part of human life. Walking, riding horses and cars, and finally conquering the air. But, unfortunately, not all travel options are equally good for pregnant women. For example, pregnancy and flying on an airplane are the subject of lively discussions that have been going on since the time of man's conquest of the sky.

Pregnancy and flying on an airplane are normal. It is allowed to use air transport services during pregnancy, but there are many precautions that should not be forgotten. Some airlines have introduced special rules for pregnant clients. Thus, flights in the early stages do not require permission from a gynecologist, but flights in the last months of pregnancy are allowed only with a special permission certificate.

Doctors have their own opinion regarding pregnancy and flying on an airplane and highlight a number of the following dangers that may await the expectant mother:

• Sudden changes in pressure, fear of heights and nervousness during a flight – all of this can cause miscarriage, premature birth or bleeding.
• The fact that the air in the plane is dry and the temperature is high can have a negative effect on the baby, as this is the cause of a large loss of moisture. In addition, there is a lack of oxygen in the air during the flight.
• There is a risk that during a flight a pregnant woman may be negatively affected by solar radiation, which is associated with high altitude.
• A long and prolonged flight on an airplane has a negative effect on blood circulation, it can cause blood stagnation in the legs, which results in the development of thrombophlebitis and varicose veins.

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Is it possible to fly on an airplane when pregnant?

Is it possible to fly on an airplane during pregnancy? This is a question that interests lovers of long-distance air travel. During vacation, it is very difficult to resist flying to warmer climes, to the sea and basking in the rays of the gentle sun. And then you have to choose between the desired vacation and the potential threat to the health of the future baby.

It is impossible to answer this question unequivocally. But all doctors agree on one thing - pregnancy and air travel are an additional burden on an already weakened body. The stress during the flight can harm both the mother and the future baby. Let's look at some tips for pregnant women that are recommended to be followed when preparing for the flight.

1. Before deciding to fly, be sure to consult a doctor, undergo an examination to know what condition your body is in. Do not forget about a doctor's certificate, especially if you are in the last months of pregnancy, since some carriers do not allow pregnant women on board without certificates.
2. When buying a plane ticket, do not forget to indicate your condition, as many companies have special rules for pregnant women. Find out about all the carrier's conditions for pregnant women in advance.
3. For the flight, choose comfortable clothes that will not restrict your movements. Be sure to take an inflatable pillow or bolster with you on the road, which you can put under your back for greater comfort.
4. If you use a seat belt, remember that two fingers should fit freely between the belt and your tummy.

Remember that pregnancy and air travel have no contraindications, but you should not overdo it with flights. Since frequent flights are an additional burden on the body, which is not desirable for pregnant women.

Airplane in early pregnancy

There are many controversies about flying in the early stages of pregnancy. Some doctors say that it is forbidden to fly in the first trimester, as it is a period of hormonal changes in the body. During a flight in the early stages of pregnancy, fatigue increases, health worsens, plus constant headaches and nausea. And all this can cause a miscarriage.

Remember that a long, tiring flight will worsen the condition of the pregnant woman, will cause sudden changes in temperature and pressure, and will negatively affect the baby. However, there are no scientifically proven contraindications to flights for pregnant women.

Features of air travel at different stages of pregnancy:

• First trimester – there are no special contraindications, but doctors scare you with termination of pregnancy, that is, miscarriage. Only one complication during a flight in the early stages of pregnancy has been proven – toxicosis.
• The second trimester is the most favorable time for flights. Doctors have no contraindications, and there are no complications during the flight.
• Third trimester – flights at the end of pregnancy are not advisable. The body is in full swing preparing for the upcoming birth, and pressure surges will cause complications.

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Pregnancy and flying

Pregnancy and flying on an airplane - today this is a reality for modern mothers. When deciding to fly on an airplane during pregnancy, special attention should be paid to the choice of carrier and flight time.

Pregnancy and flying on an airplane have a number of peculiarities:

1. Flying in the third trimester of pregnancy is strictly prohibited. Some carriers refuse to fly pregnant women because they do not want to take responsibility.
2. Many airlines do not sell plane tickets to pregnant women until the expectant mother presents a permission certificate from her gynecologist.
3. Flights are prohibited in case of complications and illnesses, as they can cause miscarriage.

If your gynecologist believes that flying on an airplane can have a negative impact on your body and the development of the baby, then it is reasonable to think about changing transport or refusing to travel. If you decide to fly, remember that all responsibility lies only with you.

Moms who have flown while pregnant offer the following advice:

• No stressful situations – before and during the flight you should be absolutely calm.
• Headaches – To prevent headaches during a flight, drink plenty of fluids. Regular filtered water at room temperature will do for these purposes.
• The correct position – try to sit next to the aisle on the plane. Don’t sit, stay in place the entire flight, get up and walk around the cabin every half hour. This will help prevent swelling of the legs and the development of varicose veins.

Pregnancy and Air Travel

Pregnancy and air travel are perfectly acceptable, the main thing is to follow the rules that will prevent all sorts of complications. Before deciding to fly by plane, you should definitely go to the doctor for a check-up. The doctor must make sure that the pregnancy is proceeding normally and the flight will not have consequences for the baby. Do not forget to ask for a certificate that you are allowed to fly by plane, otherwise the airline may not sell you a ticket for the flight.

When planning a flight during pregnancy, pay special attention to the country of your vacation. Avoid traveling to exotic countries, as such vacations are associated with unsanitary conditions, infections, and bacteria that are simply unacceptable during pregnancy. Safe travel to exotic countries requires mandatory vaccination, which is contraindicated during pregnancy. In addition, a sharp change in climate from cold to heat and back will negatively affect your well-being.

Follow the rules when pregnant and traveling by plane:

• Avoid traveling to Africa, Asia, South America, and also avoid vacations in the mountains.
• If you are on holiday at the seaside or in a sunny country, avoid direct sunlight, drink plenty of water, wear light clothing and a hat.
• Before buying plane tickets, take care of insurance. Choose one that covers complications during pregnancy.

The Impact of Airplanes on Pregnancy

The impact of an airplane on pregnancy has not been scientifically proven, but it is theoretically substantiated. There are several warnings that all expectant mothers should know before deciding to fly on an airplane.

• Formation of blood clots

Lack of oxygen during the flight causes blood thickening and causes venous thrombosis. Therefore, during the flight, be sure to move, do not sit still. It is enough to walk around the cabin and change your position so that your legs do not swell. Do not forget about the drinking regime, drink as much water as possible. This helps to thin the blood.

• Lack of oxygen during flight

Airplanes fly at an altitude of 10,000 meters, and at such an altitude the atmospheric pressure is too low. Therefore, in order for passengers to feel good during the flight, the pressure is artificially equalized. As a result, the oxygen content in the cabin of the plane is lower than on the ground.

The baby gets access to oxygen through the placenta, and due to oxygen surges, the baby may experience oxygen starvation. And this is a serious danger to the health of your baby.

• Cosmic radiation

The influence of the Earth's radiation belt, that is, cosmic radiation, depends entirely on the time of travel and the location of the flight. The influence of cosmic radiation on the human body has not been fully studied and is the cause of heated debate. Thus, some experts believe that flying on an airplane in the early stages of pregnancy is harmless. Others, on the contrary, claim that the influence of an airplane on pregnancy is very strong and can lead to disastrous results.

The impact of an airplane on pregnancy is compared to X-ray radiation. If you are afraid of doing fluorography during pregnancy, as it can harm the child, then the airplane also affects your baby.

Pregnancy and air travel are issues that expectant parents should carefully consider before making a decision, as no one is immune from accidents and potential harm to the baby.

Be healthy!