Pregnancy & Baby 

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Flying when pregnant

The best time to fly would be between 14 and 28 weeks gestation, when the early risk of miscarriage has passed and before the possibility of premature labour looms. If you have a past history of high blood pressure or any metabolic diseases like thyroid or diabetes or if you have suffered a previous miscarriage or bleeding, then a pre-flight check and discussion with your GP would be a wise move – just to be on the safe side.

Airlines have their own guidelines about travelling whilst pregnant, so check with them before you fly – they may want a photocopy of your travel insurance or if you’re past 28 weeks, a letter from your GP. Always take your antenatal records with you – or a photocopy of them.

The lowered cabin pressure in aircraft does not affect the baby’s circulation to any major degree. As far as any precautions are concerned - make sure that you drink lots of water. This will keep the amniotic fluid and the placental circulation stimulated. Avoid alcohol, which dehydrates you.

Pregnancy, is of course regarded as ‘normal’, but it does increase the risk of blood clotting, so it’s important to try and move around the aircraft from time to time. Ring the airline or your tour operator to see if you can pre-book an aisle seat or one near the emergency exit with plenty of leg room. If possible, try and take a stroll, even if it’s for a visit to the loo because of all that extra fluid, every 30 – 45 minutes.

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