Flying while pregnant?

[eachatelain]

I'm going to be flying to NC from TX on Mar 9th and I just wondered if anyone else has flown while pregnant? I've read up and it can't hurt the baby, but I just wonder if it might have any different effects on your body than it does when you're not pregnant. It may sound like a silly question..but I've noticed that a lot of things I would never have expected to be different just because I'm pregnant, are different because I'm pregnant (lol). So now I've learned to ask. :)


Just want to know if I should expect anything weird or different?

[eachatelain]

I'll be on a plane for about 2.5-3 hrs to connect in Atlanta, GA, and then about 45 min - 1 hr to get to Charlotte, NC, so I really don't have very long flights at all... so I didn't figure I'd have much to worry about, if anything at all.

But thanks for all the advice, ladies! I'll keep it all in mind as I'm traveling back home to my family :) (Gah, I'm so excited!!!!! haha)

[tatorbug40]

I flew in both pregnancies, both around 20 weeks...  nothing was weird or anything-  just make sure to drink lots of water while you are traveling...  (oh,  the lady above me said the same thing!  :))...  

my doc told me it was safe to fly up to 36 weeks....  to which I replied "my DD was born at 36 weeks!"...   so personally, I'd advise against flying that late in the pregnancy!

[pookie1121]

Best time to fly is in the 2nd trimester.

In my first pregnancy I had to fly in my 1st trimester around 7 weeks and a...gain at 14 weeks between the US and Europe.

In this pregnancy I also flew from Europe to US for a few days around 8 weeks.  I will fly again at 22 weeks (preg with twins too!!) to the US (and we return to Europe when I am in 24th week) but only because my brother is getting married.

What to expect? Discomfort the longer the flight is!  That is why when I fly at 22 weeks, I will be flying business!  

Also very important: You have to get up and walk around a lot.  You have to make sure you drink a lot of water.  And you might want to get compression tights to reduce risk of blood clots in legs if the flight is long.

[clairelou88]

my mum flew from england to ohio when she was 29weeks, she just had to get a doctors note because of how far gone she was, i think you be ok, but just ask you midwife i suppose!

[Sasha80]

Here is a link you may want to try.  Has some info about flying during pregnancy.

http://www.babycenter.ca/pregnancy/isitsafeto/flyexpert/

[Sasha80]

I spoke with my doc about this subject as I would like to fly home mid June (due end of July).  He stated that he advises against flying after 8 months.  Cabin pressure can lead to premature labour.  He also stated that it's best to check with the airline as a few won't let you fly after week 28-30 due to the risk of premature labour.  

[cminamyer]

During my first pregnancy I flew when I was 21 weeks, I had no problems.  This pregnancy I flew when I was 4 weeks then flew back when I was 8 weeks.  I didn't notice anything differant either time.  I think if you were to fly later in your pregnancy you would probably notice things more, or be more uncomfy.  But since your still early in your pregnancy I think you'll be just fine.  Drink lots of water and try to get an outside seat so you can get up and go to the bathroom when you need.  GL!