Aimee ChanThere are some activities you really should stop doing when you’re pregnant such as heavy drinking of alcohol or (as my doctor once told me) kick boxing (!). But flying is not one of them. You can fly while pregnant up to somewhere between 32 to 36 weeks, depending on which medical advisor you speak to and providing it is a normal, uncomplicated pregnancy.
However, while you can physically fly while pregnant, there are some administrative and other complications that might prevent you from flying while pregnant that you might not have thought of. So here are a few precautions I’ve learnt from the many mothers I’ve interviewed for my family travel website suitcases&strollers about how to ensure your baby bump doesn’t bump you off the plane.
Also Read: 7 Reasons to Travel With a Baby
Airlines have different corporate rules about when you can fly up to when pregnant
Check the official website of the airline you are booking to find out when is their cut off date for when you can fly up to when pregnant.
Always get a medical certificate that clears you to travel
Even if you are well below the cut off date for when you can fly while pregnant, having something in writing about how far along you are and how healthy the pregnancy is means there can be no arguments when you check in. Similarly if you are carrying any medications with you, ask for your doctor to provide a letter stating why you need these.
Plan for travel sickness
Things in pregnancy can change quickly. The day you book your flight you might feel fantastic, but the day you fly might be the worst morning sickness you’ve ever experienced. Put contingencies in place (such as booking the aisle seat, bringing some sweets to suck on, only eating a light meal before boarding) just in case.
Visit the bathroom before you board
Get used to talking about pee, you’re about to spend the next several years doing it! Even if you don’t think you need to, go to the toilet before you get on the plane. Pregnant women need to pee a lot and your pelvic floor is already under a lot of pressure, so avoid being caught out during a long taxi and take off.
Also Read: 9 Best Theme Parks in Asia for Families and Kids
Pack snacks, but pack light
To avoid sudden bouts of nausea or hunger so common in pregnancy, have some small packs of dry biscuits with you. These are also useful for traveling to developing countries where you are concerned about food sanitation. But keep your suitcases and luggage to a minimum; although you might presume people will help a pregnant woman struggling with putting heavy bags in an overhead locker, trust me when I say that doesn’t always happen.
Show off your bump
Flying in pregnancy means being in crowded tight spaces. Looking obviously pregnant sometimes helps people to be more careful of jostling or pushing you in their rush to get from A to B.
Carry a list of medical facilities at your destination for use in an emergency
Then, in the unlikely case that you need this information, you won’t be scrambling around on Google in a panic stricken moment.
Relax!
Enjoy the time on the flight where no one can call you, you’re not responsible for anyone else and you can just chill out. You won’t be doing that again for a very long time!
Contributed by Suitcases & Strollers
