Traveling abroad

[Neha1234]

Hi all..I am 23 weeks pregnant and I have to catch an international flight with in few days..Is it safe to travel that far in my 23 week.??what precautions should I take.??

[toriajane2]

My advice is to most definitely do what these ladiesare ssuggesting. I had a long haul flight and didn't do to much different and it was horrible.  Legs were aching and swollen.  My whole body seemed to retain more water and my back.  It's very frustrating sitting in that seat for hours and hours.  I caught 3 flights in one day totalling 24hrs start to finish at 20wks.

[PurpleJ]

Definitely let the flight staff know u are pregnant when u put in ur luggage as they may look after you a bit more. Lots of fluids feet up as much as possible and wAlk around on the plain as much as possible. Lots of stretching helps too. Hopefully it's a chance for you to sleep !!!

[bonitagirl747]

You're more likely to catch the flu. There's a chance, but very rare. Its a scary disease and new to us.

[Dragonwings]

A guy just died here in Texas because he brought Ebola to Dallas. Now 2 others have tested positive and others are being quarantine because one lady that tested positive flew to Cleveland Ohio and back. It's not just in West Africa.

[Isthatyoubob]

Ha ha Ebola :-) were you thinking of going to west Africa?! I doubt it.
Make sure you get an aisle seat! I was 18 weeks when I flew from Southern Hemisphere to Northern and 24 weeks when I flew back. It was very uncomfortable in the seat on the first 11hour stretch and only felt ok standing or walking.  On the second half of the flight my husband got me an upgrade to premium economy and the difference made me almost cry! 12 hour flight and I could stretch out and the pain of being cramped around my bump had gone. (He stayed in economy).
Last week I flew internationally at 33 weeks. That was only a 5 hour flight and wasn't too bad in economy- this time I got the aisle!
The other thing you should realise is that there is radiation exposure involved with air travel- about the equivalent of a couple of chest X-rays for long flights.  But then it is unlikely to have much effect and there's nothing you can do about it apart from being informed.

[Dragonwings]

I'd be more worried about Ebola traveling intentionally.

[farhana127]

I was a high risk patient and my doctor said me that I should not fly before 12weeks. You're in the second trimester and should be completely OK. However keep hydrated and have walks every 1-1.5 hours. Take an empty bottle with you and fill it from airport fountain after all security checks. You may not get enough water on board.

[niki137]

I think you are OK to travel internationally until 34 or 35 weeks. Definitely drink lots of water abs try to get up and move around at least every hour or two for circulation.

[drained1sttimemom]

Wear compression socks!!! And compression tights too if you can get them.

[aaharmony]

You should be fine as long as you're not a high risk. I've read that you should drink lots of water and walk as much as possible while in flight. Ask your doctor what he suggests. You should be totally fine. Have a safe flight