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Travel Tips for Pregnant Women by
pregnanttraveler.com  The
first hurdle that you have to overcome in traveling by air is the policy
manual
of the airline. Each carrier has its own rules about pregnancy and
travel,
and the rules sometimes seem to change by the week. Even then, what
rule applies
often seems to be up to the gate agent at the time you board. Obviously,
airlines do not want to have obstetrical emergencies aboard their
aircraft
(and neither do you, for that matter). They know that the likelihood of such emergencies
increases the closer you get to term. Almost
all airlines, therefore, forbid
domestic travel beyond thirty-six weeks of pregnancy and international travel
beyond thirty-two weeks. As
mentioned, however, the rules vary. Most airlines will have a medical officer
or at least an office that you can call to find out what the rules really are.
It is best for you or your doctor to call that office and speak to the appropriate
person. That person’s name needs to be written down, then, along with what
they said. You then need documentation in the form of either a letter from your
doctor or a copy of your medical records to prove that you do meet the requirements. Once
the travel arrangements have been made, many pregnant travelers express anxiety
regarding the effects of cosmic radiation. It is the opinion of aviation medicine
experts that this should not be of concern, even with repeated flights. Thus they
do not forbid frequent travel by pregnant flight attendants. Our
greatest concern when advising pregnant air travelers is the risk of blood clots,
known in medical terms as “thromboembolic
disease” or “deep vein thrombosis” (DVT).
You may have heard of it as “economy class syndrome”—even though
it is certainly not confined to economy class passengers. Because
of changes in your circulatory system when you are pregnant, you are at much greater
risk of developing blood clots in your legs and pelvis. This risk is increased
by prolonged sitting in one position, and by dehydration, both of which are part
and parcel of air travel. Then, when you get up and move around, the blood clots
may tear loose and travel to the lungs. This event, known as a pulmonary embolus,
is often fatal.
Our
advice is to carry with you some bottled water and to sit in an aisle seat. If
you don’t already have to go to the bathroom every two hours just because
you’re pregnant, then we advise you to drink enough water that you do have
to go. The increased fluid intake plus the increased activity greatly reduces
the risk of blood clots. And don’t worry about irritating the flight crew
or the other passengers. Unless there is a true emergency, they love to make allowances
for a pregnant woman. (CONTINUE...)
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