what are the rules for flying whilst pregnant?

[KJ]

Hi all

I've just been offered to go to a conference in the states at the end of Feb. I'll be about 12 weeks by then.

Can anyone inform me of when you can and can't fly during pregnancy? And even if you can, whether there are any risks associated with it?

Thanks,

xxx

 

[andreag]

Most airlines set their own limited which I think are around 28 weeks without a doctors certificate. My midwife didn't recommend it in the first tri, mainly I think because if you feel awful anyway a flight won't help. My pregnancy book says there is no proble though with flying at all.

I would check with your midwife as it is a long flight, particulalry if you aren't feeling good.

 

[mayday]

All airlines have their own cut-off date beyond which they require a doctor's note to fly and only under special circumstances. As some else said for many of them this is around 28 weeks. 12 weeks should not be a problem.

There are no risks associated with the occasional flight as a passenger while pregnant. I am a pilot (who flew one of the radioactive Litvenenko 767s around for a bit before I found out I was pregnant ) and the CAA medical department have been very helpful. They ban pregnant pilots from flying during the first trimester because the risk of miscarriage is greater then and having a miscarrying pilot flying your plane is not great for the passengers. Also pilots tend to suffer more from dehydration, sleep disruption, jetlag, and slightly higher doses of solar radiation than the average person because they are flying for an average of 70-90 hours a month (ie an average of 5 return trips across the Atlantic!) The baby is going through it's most important development stages in the first trimester and needs it's mother the be as fit and healthy as possible, and flying daily does not assist this. A lot of cabin crew, keen not to lose their flying pay (everyone in flying takes a pay cut when they are grounded and for cabin crew it is a lot worse because their basic salary is low to start with) try to fly for as long as they can without telling their boss. Not a great idea I think, but I fly with hundreds of cabin crew who flew everyday until they got a bump and they have happy healthy kids.

In the second trimester it's a different story altogether. The risk of miscarriage is lower and the mother is feeling much more lively. The UK, American and European aviation authorities are all happy for pregnant pilots to fly during the second trimester. Sadly for me BA thinks it's too much of a faff and so I will still be grounded on a lower salary and not get my usual post-Christmas beach getaway . I know it's discrimination but I think my baby is better off if I'm on the ground and I'll scream blue murder about it if they don't give me what I want .

I think at 12 weeks one trip to the States will not be a problem. Make sure you drink a LOT of water on the flight (try to drink more than you usually would - I often get through 3 litres on a 7 hour flight,) make sure you move around regularly to avoid DVT and go for all the healthier food options (even good airline food is hideous!) If you can get your boss to send you business class so you can lie down and stretch out. If you have a problem tell the cabin crew STRAIGHT AWAY that you are pregnant. On larger aircraft it is quite common to have someone medically qualified on board, even if it is only as a passenger.

 

[KJ]

thanks girls, that info is really helpful.

Mayday, I'm so glad you know a lot about this. Do I have an obligation to tell the airline that I'm pregnant when booking the ticket? I presume I should request an aisle seat, etc (business class is a good idea, but I'd have to tell my boss I'm pregnant and I'm quite early now, so not sure whether that's a good idea).

So flying, doesn't increase the risk of spontaneous abortion in the 1st trimester then?

I guess it's just me worrying. Since I found out I'm pregnant, I've been worrying about every little thing. I really need to stop or life will be very difficult! My DH said 'go for it!!' when I told hime about the trip, so he's obviously not worried!

Thanks again.

xxx

 

[mayday]

KJ
you are under no obligation to tell an airline anything about your personal health that doesn't affect them - and your being 12 weeks doesn't affect them! Your only obligation would be to give them full medical information if you have a problem on the flight which requires medical assistance. The aircraft I fly on have a 24 hr a day hotline to a doctor's group called Medlink, who are specialists at taking the garbled info pilots give them over the radio and turning it into common sense. Everything goes on on aeroplanes - I've used Medlink to ask questions about a stewardess who developed acute pneumonia on the way back from Zambia, a diabetic Libyan granny who I am sure was saying in her own language 'I'm not eating that foreign muck!' a schoolgirl with crippling period pain, a captain who slipped over and cracked his head open..... The list could go on, but people travel pregnant all the time and have no problems at all. The reason airlines don't like you flying later in pregnancy is because they don't give us any midwife training

Any problems you have in the first trimester are not likely to be as a result of one business trip, so I'd go and enjoy it. My unborn baby has alreay been to Germany, Spain (three times), Canada and Uganda. All but one of these trips before I found out. Had I not been so quick with the wee stick it would probably have been to Tanzania, Sweden and the States too.

 

[*glow*]

Hey guys

I am going to Sydney - yes I know the farest of the far when I am 24 weeks so thats major major flying!

Due to the worry I have spoken to midwives etc about this and also read just about every bit of info I can and it all says no problems! I flew four times in first tri - no probs just morning sickness and travel sickness are not a good combo (ie make you feel queasy)...

Mayday, do you think I should book a stop over for a night. Concerned about a few things:
1. Being in an Asian country or maybe Dubai and have complications
2. The hassle of getting the luggage off the plane and checking in to a hotel only to sleep, get up and check out again
3. Due to DVT risks I am better off taking 2 hr stop over and moving a lot

Just for your thoughts ... you will know more about jetlag..

But lucky you a business trip to USA! Anywhere nice???

xxx

 

[minikins]

Hi,

The only rules apply late on in pregnancy. My friend flew when she was about 30 weeks and had to get a doctors letters or something.

If you phone your GP surgery they should be able to clarify for you.

Happy trip!

 

[mayday]

Glow,

the answer is down to one of personal preference on this one, I'm afraid. Are you travelling alone? Could be a hassle getting off one flight and onto another, not to mention the cost. Could you not see if it would be a better option to pay for an upgrade? They are expensive, but trust me, if you have never seen Club (Business) in one of the big scheduled airlines they really are a world away from 'cattle class.' I work for BA and you will get a flat bed and unlimited attention from the cabin crew who will be keen to make sure you have everything you need. Many of the Middle East oil state countries also have fantastic service too - eg Emirates, Etihad, Gulf Air. Cathay Pacific also have a good reputation. For your own sake don't get on a package holiday flight - think of the names of high street travel agents and avoid them. Thomas Cook may be great for a quick jaunt to Spain but Australia is a different kettle of fish altogether.

If you don't have the funds to stretch to Club have a look at the airlines that do an economy plus class - BA do one and while you don't get a flat bed you do get a wider seat and fewer passengers per cabin crew member. Also ask for a bulkhead seat - one of the ones with extra legroom. There is no point in asking for an emergency exit seat because you are not an 'able bodied passenger,' ie you couldn't throw a heavy emergency exit hatch out and assist in an evacuation if it were needed. (I am always amazed when you hear people on programs like Watchdog who bang on about not getting an emergency exit seat because they want the extra legroom because they are poorly. Ermmmm ) Remember they will try and give you a bulkhead seat if they can, but this is where they put mothers with babies in cots, too, because they are the only seats with tables big enough and enough space to put a cot. Worth hanging onto that thought though if you are going on your hols with baby .

You really only need to break your flight up with a stopover if you think it would make you feel more comfortable. Pick your stopover spot - again, Singapore and the oil states are very civilised, but you probably don't want to have to see a doctor in, say, Bangkok or Saudi Arabia! Many airlines allow their passengers to get off for a leg stretch anyway when they stop to change crew and refuel. My mum went to Australia last year and spent 2 hours in Bangkok and 3 hours in Singapore looking round the shops.

Finally, while I certainly won't be globetrotting for my dinner (I'm going to be an instructor with my own team and project - yey!) the CAA wouldn't have a problem with me being the pilot to Australia at 24 weeks.

 

[*glow*]

Just wanted to say thanks May Day, I saw the midwidfe today by the way everyone and she said second tri is best time to fly and is fine. Just drink loads of water. Walk every hour.

Anyway enjoy the states