Flying When Pregnant – First, Second and Third Trimester

The experience of flying when pregnant becomes more and more challenging through the third trimester.  During the first trimester, even though your risk of a bad outcome is higher, sitting in an airline seat is much more comfortable if you are traveling during the first trimester of pregnancy.  Traveling during the second trimester of pregnancy is actually a bit safer than traveling during the first or third trimester.  Your risk are a bit lower, and depending how many weeks pregnant you are,  your level of comfort may be okay.  The big challenge comes when you are traveling during the third trimester of pregnancy.  If you are flying when pregnant during your third trimester, not only do you carry a higher risk of premature birth, but just squeezing into the seat may very well be a challenge.

Flying When Pregnant

Airline travel when pregnant has both challenges and risks, but both can be managed with a little forethought and preparation.  The airline travel rules vary from airline to airline, but most have a specific cutoff after which you should not fly.  The restrictions on flying when pregnant may seem like a hassle, especially if you have somewhere to go, but the travel restrictions are there to protect the health of you and your baby as well as protect the airline from increased liability.

First Trimester Travel

Statistically, travel during the first trimester of pregnancy is more risky than other trimesters.  Although you may not be far along, variations in pressure, immobility for long periods, turbulence, and other factors may provide challenges to an expecting mother.

Second Trimester Travel

Air travel during your second trimester of pregnancy is statistically more safe than the first or third trimester.  Although you need to get up and walk around, both to keep good circulation in your legs as well as get to the bathroom, traveling when pregnant in the second trimester should not be a problem.

Third Trimester Travel

When you are traveling when pregnant, air travel during the third trimester is a challenge that increases as you approach your due date.  In addition to the discomfort of fitting into your chair and having to sit for an extended period, your risk of birth is at the forefront of your risks.  In fact, most airlines will not let you travel after you reach so many weeks of pregnancy.  Unless it is absolutely mandatory, you should adhere to the airlines pregnant travelers policy and not fly when they tell you that you shouldn’t.

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This entry was posted on Monday, July 27th, 2009 at 4:56 pm and is filed under When Pregnant. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

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