Everything you need to know about flying while pregnant

Determining both when and where you can go and tackling the logistics of air travel while pregnant can be a minefield. A lot of important caveats are buried deep within the information that is out there. So, where do you start?

Firstly, what are the health risks of flying while pregnant? Due to hormonal and circulatory changes during pregnancy, women are at a higher risk of developing a deep vein thrombosis (a clot in the leg). However, for most healthy pregnant women with normal blood pressure, flying is considered to be safe up to the 37th week, or the 32nd week for a multiple pregnancy.

Next, look at where you can and can’t go. While it is well documented that the mosquito-borne Zika virus is harmful to a developing foetus, the assumption that all hot countries have the virus is false. In Africa, for example, Morocco and Madagascar are free of it, but always check government websites for updates. The NHS advises women to avoid getting pregnant for up to three months after returning from any country with a risk of Zika.

Malaria and yellow fever are two more mosquito-borne diseases pregnant women should be cautious of, due to the heightened risks to both unborn child and mother. Avoid non-essential travel to known areas with a risk of infection, especially if you’re not vaccinated against yellow fever. Be aware too that doctors try to avoid giving live vaccinations during pregnancy, so this also needs to be considered when choosing any travel destination.

For active types, walking and hiking trips can be safe during pregnancy, so long as you plan and research them. Gentle hikes exert reasonable demands on the body, so there is no added risk as such, but listen to your body, stay hydrated and avoid prolonged stays at altitudes over 1,500m.

It is worth noting that your travel insurance will still cover you while pregnant, as pregnancy is not a ‘medical condition’. However, if any medical issues have arisen at any point during the pregnancy, the insurance company should be informed to make sure that you are fully covered.

Ultimately, it is down to you to evaluate the risks. Pregnancy is not a reason to avoid travel unless there are underlying risk factors, but you need to do the research, speak to your practice nurse or travel clinic and prepare as much as possible. You deserve a break!

Tips for those travelling while pregnant

1. To promote good circulation (and avoid deep vein thrombosis) when flying, wear compression socks and walk up and down the aisle at least every hour. These socks apply gentle pressure to the veins, which helps to push the blood flow back towards the heart and reduce swelling in the legs.
2. Each airline imposes its own rules regarding the stage of gestation they consider to be the cut-off for pregnant women flying; they are not bound by doctors’ advice. You may be asked for medical documents on boarding, so always inform them you are pregnant and research the rules in advance to avoid delays. Remember: you need to be the correct gestation on the return flight as well.
3. Stay hydrated! This is important for everyone, but especially so for pregnant women because they are producing extra fluid around their baby. Top up your electrolytes in hot countries with Dioralyte sachets or DioraHydrate tablets.
4. Remember to pack enough prenatal vitamins to last the trip. It is important to keep up with the metabolic demands of being pregnant and keep yourself as healthy as possible.

Dr Sophie Nelson is a mother and GP practicing at Chelford Surgery in Cheshire.

Pregnancy by the numbers

Over 50% of women travel abroad while pregnant

1/3 of all trips taken by pregnant women are outside of Europe

*All stats from the National Library of Medicine

All content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, treatment or diagnosis. Consult a healthcare professional before taking action