Travel is not prohibited during a pregnancy as long as it is not a risky pregnancy or there is a complication that the doctor considers convenient not to travel at any time during pregnancy.
If you are pregnant and plan to take a plane trip, it is advisable that you contact the airline well in advance to know if there are special requirements that you should know. Here we answer seven frequently asked questions that may arise if you are going to fly by plane.
Do I need a medical certificate to travel?
Only a medical certificate is needed in case of exceeding 32 weeks of gestation, if the pregnancy time is uncertain or if there are complications in it.
The certificate must be issued within the seven days before the flight. Also, in general, it is recommended not to travel within seven days before delivery or in the seven days after it.
Until what week can I travel while pregnant?
Airlines recommend not to travel by plane when the gestation period exceeds 32 weeks. If you are still traveling after that week, the State Air Safety Agency (AESA) recommends that pregnant women who are going to travel check with the airline as it is possible that the pregnant passenger must sign a document that exempts the company of responsibility before any eventuality that arises derived from its state.
Also, as a general recommendation, you should know that towards the end of pregnancy it is preferable avoid long and tired trips. It is also shown that a flight can trigger a birth when pregnancy exceeds 37 weeks. It is not too frequent, but cases of deliveries produced in full flight are known.
Can metal arches affect my baby?
It is known that pregnant women should avoid exposure to radiation (x-rays) because they can be dangerous for the baby, but what about airport metal detectors?
The radiations emitted by the safety arcs are low frequency, similar to those emitted by mobile phones, therefore there is no risk for the baby at no time during pregnancy if the pregnant woman passes through these arches in a timely manner.
Can the change in atmospheric pressure affect my baby?
Especially during take-off there is a sharp change in atmospheric pressure in the cabin that can affect the exchange of oxygen through the placenta, as reported in Infosalus by Dr. Joaquín Grande Gómez, head of the Gynecology and Obstetrics Department at San Rafael Hospital from Madrid.
However, this hypoxia or reduction of transient oxygen supply it is compensated by both the mother and the baby Usually without problems.
Can I make long plane trips during pregnancy?
As we mentioned before, especially towards the end of pregnancy is preferably avoid trips of more than six hours because of the risk of hypercoagulation that can be aggravated if you spend too many hours still.
Staying still for too long affects circulation, increasing the risk of edema, so if you are going to take long trips, pay special attention to the advice that follows.
In which cases is traveling by plane contraindicated?
It will always be the gynecologist, knowing your medical history, who evaluates whether or not you are able to travel depending on the stage of pregnancy, your background and the destination you are traveling to. In general, traveling to pregnant women who are not advised:
Have bleeding or clotting problems
Have suffered abortions, previous premature deliveries, ectopic pregnancy or early rupture of the bag.
Have placental abnormalities, a history of high blood pressure and / or diabetes.
They suffer severe anemia
What should I consider when traveling by plane?
In the case of traveling by plane while pregnant, there are certain things you can do to make the trip more bearable and avoid discomfort:
- Choose a seat near the bathroom and preferably on the aisle side in case you have to get up several times to go to the bathroom
- Avoid sitting too long: take a walk every two hours and do simple exercises to activate the circulation of the legs and prevent edema or cramps.
- Drink a lot of liquid.
- Wear comfortable clothes and shoes that do not squeeze to avoid or at least minimize swelling of the legs and feet.
