Flying pregnant

[Anonymous]

My doctor said that I should not fly my last month, but I've read online that you really shouldn't fly after you are 7 months... I'm trying to pick a date for a baby shower back home and was wondering if anyone had advise on if flying at 7 months was a good idea.

[Anonymous]

I had a death in the family when I was 8 months pregnant. My doctor advises his patients not to travel during the last month of pregnancy so I just made the cut off. I traveled alone with my toddler and big pregnant belly. My husband couldn't attend. I was also a planned c-section patient. Both flights went just fine and we made it back. I had my baby right as scheduled, at 39 weeks. I see absolutely no problem traveling in the 7th month, especially if you don't have to travel with little ones to carry around in between flights.

[Anonymous]

Just depends how risk-adverse you are. After a totally uneventful pregnancy, I gave birth at 7.5 months. Is this likely to happen to you while in flight? No, but there is always a chance and it would suck to have your water break at 30,000 feet. So, I was grateful in retrospect that my OB had cut off my travel at 32 weeks, because I was actually supposed to be in London for work the weekend that my water broke. But, again, the odds of it happening to you are slim.

[Anonymous]

Nothing wrong with traveling in the 7th month.

[Anonymous]

I would not worry about flying when you are 7 month pregnant. I flew to Europe to attend a family wedding in mid may, was due to give birth in July, but the baby surprised us all and came in June at 36 weeks!
The only bad thing about flying is that you sit for long periods of time and my legs and feet were swollen beyond recognition upon arrival. To say the least, I look like a big swollen hippo in all the wedding pictures

[Anonymous]

From what I understand, there is nothing inherently dangerous in flying while pregnant. Rather, it is just the undesirable possibility that you go into labor on the plane or away from home where you do not have access to your care providers.

[Anonymous]

check with the airline first--you may need to have a note from your doctor with you stating that you're okay to fly.

[Anonymous]

I personally think that 7 months should be okay. Also agree with checking with the airlines though. Many have policies on how late they will allow you to fly and they might want a note from your doctor if traveling during the last month. Also, in addition to going into labor, I think the other big worry is blood clots. The blood clots can be averted though as long as you make sure to stretch you legs (they have special exercises you can do in your seat) and get up and walk around regularly.

[Anonymous]

There was a post on flying and pregnant a few months ago. You may want to search because there were lots of great suggestions.

My doc. said not to fly after 35 weeks because most airlines don't want to be liable for any emergencies or labor that could occur.

[Anonymous]

My understanding from my OB as well as my family doctor and nurse practitioner is that 34 weeks is the unofficial "cutoff" for airline travel. Most doctors consider 38 weeks to be full-term so that is one month before that. We also had to make some arrangements up against this deadline - that's why I know!

[Anonymous]

I'm in my 7th month now and have been on four flights in the past two weeks and have another one coming up next weekend. My doctor had no worries about me flying now. And I haven't been asked to explain myself to any airline personnel but I don't think I look that big.