Would you go on a seven hour flight when 33 weeks pregnant?

[Anonymous]

I flew to Europe at around...30 weeks, I think? It was fine. I flew business class as it was for work. It was my second pregnancy and all went well. I flew to HK during my first but that was maybe 28 weeks or so. Also fine. I just drank a lot of water and wore compression socks.

[Anonymous]

NOPE.

[Anonymous]

I hope you might read this article, OP. You definitely are taking a risk flying 7 hours during 33 week pregnancy. Personally, I would not take such a risk.

Do pregnant women have a higher risk for venous thromboembolism following air travel?
Morteza Izadi, Mohammad Javad Alemzadeh-Ansari,1 Davood Kazemisaleh,2 Maryam Moshkani-Farahani,2 and Akbar

Abstract
International travel has become increasingly common and accessible, and it is part of everyday life in pregnant women. Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a serious public health disorder that occurs following long-haul travel, especially after air travel. The normal pregnancy is accompanied by a state of hypercoagulability and hypofibrinolysis. Thus, it seems that pregnant women are at a higher risk of VTE following air travel, and, if they have preexisting risk factors, this risk would increase. There is limited data about travel-related VTE in pregnant women; therefore, in the present study, we tried to evaluate the pathogenesis of thrombosis, association of thrombosis and air travel, risk factors and prevention of VTE in pregnant women based on available evidences. Pregnancy is associated with a five- to 10-fold increased risk of VTE compared with nonpregnant women; however, during the postpartum period, this risk would increase to 20–80-fold. Furthermore, the risk of thrombosis is higher in individuals with preexisting risk factors, and the most common risk factor for VTE during pregnancy is a previous history of VTE. Pregnant women are at a higher risk for thrombosis compared with other women. Thus, the prevention of VTE and additional risk factors should be considered for all pregnant women who travel by plane.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4361953/

[Anonymous]

Personally, no. I just wasn't physically comfortable enough at that stage but you know your body best.

[Anonymous]

I hear what you're saying that the doctor gave you the all-clear but I would choose to not go. The risk just wouldn't be worth it to me. And if something happened I wouldn't want to be in another country trying to deal with it.

Or, on an airplane over the Atlantic Ocean.

Or, giving birth in another country--no matter how good the medical care. If baby comes early, you won't be flying home after a week. Are you prepared to stay six weeks or more? It's your second child, will help be available if you need to stay longer?

OP, you would not be asking this question if you were not concerned.

1. At best, you will be quite uncomfortable on the airplane.
2. Unless you are different from most women, you will be quite exhausted when you get to your destination.

There's the possibility of long delays in an airport and on the tarmac. Then, customs, etc. This is without complications.

[Anonymous]

I wouldn’t do it but it would probably be fine

[Anonymous]

Heck no

[Anonymous]

This past summer, during my second pregnancy, I took a flight to Dallas. On the way back, we got stuck on the tarmac for hours waiting to take off, and then when we arrived in DC, there wasn’t a gate ready so we sat for another 45 minutes, each time without any access to water on a hot day. I was incredibly uncomfortable and started having Braxton Hicks so close together I almost took a cab straight from the flight to the hospital. Luckily, with lots of water, I got the contractions to slow down by the next day and didn’t go into early labor. But, I immediately cancelled the trip I was supposed to take the next week (33 weeks), which was supposed to be my last trip. So I would say avoid if possible because you could be extra miserable if something goes wrong during the flights.

[Anonymous]

I would not. I had a sudden serious complication at 30 weeks with my first pregnancy. And it was a perfect pregnancy till then.

[Anonymous]

No. If this isn't a required trip for a job, I would not risk it.

[Anonymous]

Are you okay with having the baby there?

[Anonymous]

No way. I had mostly easy pregnancies (HG aside) for all three, then suddenly got kidney stones at 34 weeks with my third. Things can crop up unexpectedly, and being on a plane that long 33 weeks in sounds miserable. I didn't even get aches and pains, but still. Just too much that can happen at that point in the game.

[Anonymous]

Seven hours on a plane at 33 weeks sounds like misery to me. And, that is in the best of circumstances.

[Anonymous]

I will strictly advice you not to take this seven hour flight at 33 weeks pregnant! OP, please don't do this.

[Anonymous]

Yes I would, the medical care you would get in Europe, if necessary, would be as god as you would get here.