Risk Factors for Air Travel during Pregnancy

Although air travel during pregnancy can be quite uneventful and not a threat to the continuation of a healthy pregnancy, certain factors need to be kept in mind before you make any travel plans. You should always consult with your doctor before you undertake any travel, even if there is no obvious risk. Some of the risk factors for traveling when pregnant include :

1. Twin pregnancy or other multiples.
2. Severe anemia.
3. Gestational diabetes.
4. Hypertension (high blood pressure).
5. Pre-eclampsia.
6. Heart problems.
7. Clotting disorders.
8. Vaginal bleeding or spotting. Refer to Bleeding in Pregnancy.
9. Placental abnormalities.
10. Preterm birth in previous pregnancies.
11. Risk of preterm birth in this pregnancy.
12. A valuable pregnancy such as after a number of miscarriages.

Best Time for Air Travel during Pregnancy

Most doctors agree that the best time for air travel for a pregnant woman is during the second trimester. This is the time when you are most comfortable with your body, there is least chance of a miscarriage or preterm delivery and the misery of morning sickness is hopefully behind you.

Different airlines have different rules regarding the safety of allowing a pregnant woman on board after a certain month of pregnancy. While some allow air travel till the eighth month and even later, if so recommended by the doctor, others restrict travel from the seventh month onwards. It would be sensible to be aware of the rules before booking your tickets for a particular airline.

Considerations for Air Travel during Pregnancy

A few points, if kept in mind, can make your journey more comfortable.

1. If possible, avoid journeys with a very long travel time.
2. To avoid dehydration, drink plenty of fluids like water and juice during the flight.
3. Move your feet and ankles while seated and try to get up and walk every hour at least, to prevent the very real risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT).

Worries Regarding Air Travel

• High altitude cosmic radiations – this should not be a cause for concern unless you are a very frequent flier like a flight attendant or pilot.
• Decreased air pressure – most commercial flights have pressurized cabins, hence there is no real risk for a pregnant woman.
• Airport screening machines – metal detectors pose no real threat to you or your baby since they only use a low-frequency electromagnetic field. No x-rays are involved here.

Another form of screening (backscatter x-ray system) which is increasingly being used in some airports uses a very low level of x-rays, which are said to be practically harmless. However, if you have any concerns about this, you should ask for a physical “pat-down” search in its place.

If you are going on a long vacation, do not forget to calculate your stage of pregnancy on your return flight.

People say that a pregnant lady “blooms” while this may be true there are many changes that occur within the body at this time, of course we can all expect the expanding waistline but what about the heartburn, stretch marks, continual backache as the big day draws near not to mention those mood swings. The women especially when nearing her due date can feel anything but in “bloom”. Listed below are some of the “joys” of pregnancy.

Changes to the body besides the obvious

Stretch marks

Yes your stomach will grow and grow and grow as the baby develops and along with this growth stretch marks can sometimes appear on the stomach and thighs, however you can help these a little by moisturising your skin and helping to keep it supple. The good news is that not all women get them and they do fade the colour of them and how much they show will depend on the colour of your skin.

Aches, pains and backache

As your pregnancy develops your uterus will expand and with this along will come various aches and pains along with a nagging backache, these aches and pains and especially backache is due to the pressure of the babies head near the pelvic bone and the increase in weight and loosening of the joints in preparation for the birth.

Changes to the breasts

Most women find that there breasts will suddenly balloon in size as the pregnancy develops; they will also appear more full. This is down to the hormone changes that are occurring in preparation for the birth and in particular ready for breastfeeding. Towards the end of your pregnancy your breasts may feel very heavy, full and they might be causing you some discomfort due to their tenderness.

Dizzy spells

Its not uncommon in pregnancy for the women to have dizzy spells, this is usually to down to the growth of new blood cells at the beginning of your pregnancy. As the uterus expands in size pressure is felt on the blood vessels which in turn can lead to dizziness or light headedness.

Heartburn and indigestion

Almost all pregnant women will suffer from heartburn and indigestion particularly later in pregnancy, as your baby gets bigger the uterus will push against the stomach and heartburn will be a constant thing. If you suffer from heartburn in the beginning this is usually due to the change in hormones, hormones will slow down the muscles of the digestive tract leading to sluggish digestion which results in indigestion.

Increased Sex drive and pregnancy

A lot of women find that their sex drive increases during pregnancy and unless your doctor specifically tells you for medical reasons to abstain then this is perfectly safe, however as your stomach gets bigger you may have to find a position which is more suitable to accommodate your growing stomach. The only reasons you might have to refrain is if you have had miscarriages in the past or if you should begin to bleed or have stomach pains, but you cant hurt the growing baby by having sex while pregnant in normal circumstances.