Flying While Pregnant - Stanton, CA

I did the exact same thing when I was 7 months pregnant. My husband and I went on a cruise to the caribbean and flew from Nevada to florida. The only thing I had to be concerned about wasn't the flight but the length of flight and not getting blood clots. My OB just advised me to walk frequently on the plane. After that though, everything was the same as if i were vacationing not being pregnant...except for also probably being aware of what food i was eating ! Hope this helps!

I flew at 6 months and I had no problems. One suggestion: sit on the aisle. You are supposed to drink lots of water so you don't dehydrate. Definitely sit on the aisle.

Hi, W. - I fly when I was almost 6 months. I went from Las Vegas to Anchorage and back. I was fine other then cramped then plane was full so I couldn't spread out or keep my legs up. Causing a lot of swelling. I know that we flew on America West and they required a doctors note for me to get on the place also.

BABY MOON! Take advantage of this opportunity!!! You'll be fine. I went on an airplane when I was 17/18 weeks pregnant and it was fine. Call the airlines asap and let them know that you are pregnant and you want an aisle seat so you can get up easier to use the potty and walk around. They do their best to accommadate this. Make sure you walk around so you don't get blood clots in your legs. You'll be just fine though. And when you can't get up, just move your legs around often and stand up a couple times. But trust me, you'll regret it if you don't do this before the baby come. Esp. because the doctor gave you the okay!

Have fun and good luck with baby number 2! And good luck with nursing school. You are busy!

Sincerely,
B.

I flew when I was 6.5 months pregnant and had no issues whatsoever. I have another friend who flew when she was 7.5 months pregnant and she had no issues. The key is to make sure you drink lots of water while on the plane and make sure to get up and walk around.

Hi W.,

I work with children ages 2-3 and two of my children's moms are flight attendants who both flew until the 8th month of both of their pregnancies. I asked them both about the risks of flying while pregnant and they both said it's no more risky than anything else they transport themselves in. Most of us who don't fly nearly as much as pilots and flight attendance usually don't have the same confidence in any aspect of flying, but both of them were fine, and both of them have 2 wonderfully fine kids. The only concern for them was to not get bumped around during turbulence, at which time the pilot should be able to signal passengers to take their seats. Have a wonderful trip!!

I am 33 weeks pregnant and I flew at 31 weeks. Everything went fine but I was not very comfortable and my back really started hurting by the end. I also had my 4 year old with me so that was not a great help. I am sure you will be fine I would be more concerned about the time on the boat. Also you may get sea sick and I dont know if you can take the pills that help with that while pregnant. Good luck what ever you end up doing sounds like a wonderful trip!

You will be fine. You may be a little uncomfortable so just make sure you get an aisle seat so you can walk around a little bit. They just don't want you flying after 32 weeks because you have a chance of going into labor. Enjoy your trip!

When i was seven months pregnant I flew from CA to Alabama to visit my parents for two weeks. I think as long as your pregnancy is healthy and there are no issues it's not a big deal.

Make sure your OB/GYN gives you a copy of your medical records(the airlines sometimes want to see it and just in case you need them). I flew quite abit when I was pregnant and my OB just told me drink plenty of fluids and every hour on the plane get up and walk. Ask your OB what you can take just in chance you get sea sick and bring plenty of it. You may need to fill a prescription for it so ask so you can have it ready in time. sometimes when I flew my ankles and hands would swell they returned to normal in a day after I got off the plane. I hope you go and have a great time, you deserve it!!

I flew when I was eight months pregnant with my daughter, and although I was uncomfortable, and tired, it was fine. If you are already feeling like it would be too much listen to yourself and don't do it! The only reason I flew was that one of my best friends was getting married. You'll need to get an okay from your doc too of course... good luck!

I flew a short trip at 7 months from Vegas to LA and had no problems. Everything was fine, I didn't feel any different and baby came out just fine too. Enjoy your trip ~ it will be your last one for a little while!

I had no problems when I was 7 months Pregnant and had to fly from Las Vegas to Michigan. Just get up and walk to the restroom and back to help circulate blood a little if you need to. Have fun on your cruise. Sucks you won't be able to drink.

Hi,
I flew up until my 7th month of pregnancy with my daughter and I had very little problems. It was uncomfortable at times but nothing that I couldn't handle. I just made sure to drink a lot of water and walk around at least every 45 min to prevent leg cramps. I would however, verify that the cruiseline will let you travel into your 7th month. Carnival cruiseline will not let you aboard if you are past your 27th week. You will need a note from your doctor that specifies the exact lenght of your pregnancy while on ship. I have had clients who had to postpone their trips due to the rules of the cruiseline as they are very strict when it comes to this. Good Luck!

W.,

I agree with your doctor and friends; I don't think that flying while 7 month pregnant is physically harmful to you. FYI, my partner flew from Houston to Mazatlán while she was 6 months pregnant and she was fine. Of course you have the final say. If you're not comfortable with it then don't go.

When ever I flew while pregnant I always got the runs. Other than that make sure you drink plenty of liquid.

The flying is usually OK if allowed by your doctor. BUT - I would check with the cruise line. A lot of them have strict restrictions when it comes to pregnant women. Because they are so far away...many cruises will not allow women to travel after they have reached so many months. Before you go through all the trouble of making travel plans...check with the cruise line first. I'd hate for you to be disappointed when you get there. I hope it works out for you! Have fun if it does!
Sincerely ~ K.

Hi W.!

How exciting that you and your husband will get to spend a week on a cruise before your new addition comes. Try and get all your romantic time before the new baby comes. This could be your baby-moon. It is like a honeymoon, but instead you have it before your baby is born.

I travelled from California to Florida while 7 months pregnant also (that was about 7-8 months ago). Everyone told me that it was fine, so I decided to try it. There wasn't anything really awful about it other than it was just really uncomfortable, it is a long flight. The sad part for us was we missed connecting flights, so had long layovers and more stops than expected. Make sure that you keep hydrated on the flights, and make sure to walk on the plane if possible. My ankles were HUGE at the end of the flight. It looked like I had elephantitis. And my back was really sore. I brought pillows with me to try and make myself a little more comfortable. Also make sure to bring snacks. As far as your baby goes, it seemed like my little man didn't like it when we went up or down, he would move around a ton, but when you are coasting, he seemed fine.

If I had to do it again, I would fly- but it was uncomfortable. Hope you enjoy your trip! I hope that is helpful.

C.

Hey there :) Check with the Cruise Line about cruising while pregnant. My husband and I cruised with Carnival last November and then, women who were past 27 weeks were not able to cruise because of the risk of premature labor. totally sucks! but check with the cruise line's stipulations regarding that. Hope you get to go! it's sooo beautiful!
-K.

I flew while I was 7 mths pregnant. My stomach only got upset during the take off & landing. Granted I only went from California to Arizona but I was gone for a week. I think as long as you are aware & listen to your body you'll be fine. Just don't push it too hard. Rest when you need to. As for the upset stomach (I know this will sound funny) I just used my breathing techniques. They worked! Ultimately though it's your body & your baby. Do what you think is right...follow your instincts.

There is absolutely nothing about flying in a plane while pregnant that could cause complications different from those you can get on the ground: the only reason you sometimes cannot fly while pregnant is because most airlines reserve the right to refuse service to very, obviously pregnant women for liability sake. Before most airlines adopted a "no flying while obviously pregnant", there were women having babies on planes left and right and then sueing the airlines because of complications caused NOT from flying itself, but from the pregnant mother's poor planning. Pregnant women that look like it is possible for them to deliver at any time (even if you arent real far along, if you look big, they will deny you flight) represent a fisical and publicity nightmare. It has nothing to do with your health.

I flew at 8 months along because I was very small up until the 9th month at it was fine, I just had to get up and pee often - at 7 months, there is no reason at all that you cannot fly.

I flew to Hawaii at 34 weeks. With my doc's blessing of course. I say do it! Take advantage of a vacation and be rested and relaxed and ready to tackle the newborn. My advice to you is get a note from your doc, just in case the airline gives you grief. While in flight, get up and walk every hour or so. You will have to pee about that often anyway. That is the only really bad part. I had to literally back into the bathroom to fit, so embarassing. Ask for a couple of extra pillows to support your back. Take your time getting on and off the plane. Enjoy the Bahamas!!

Ditto to what everyone else said. Also, you can probably expect some swelling in your legs/ankles for a few days after the flights so make sure to spend lots of time with your feet up. Sometimes it's hard to walk around a lot on the plane so be sure to keep your feet moving while you're sitting (point and flex your feet, do ankle circles, all that stuff). And if you're worried about motion sickness on the cruise, the sea-bands that go around your wrists can be helpful. They get tight, so you don't want to wear them all the time. I wore them to help with my morning sickness and you see them a lot of cruise ships. Have fun!

W.,
I don't blame you for being skeptical, especially with all the bad news about cruises lately. If something were to go wrong, food poisoning or whatever, there is no doctor on flights, and the doctors on board the ship are not OB/GYN's. They don't specialize in ways to treat pregnant women, and I would not trust a foreign physician. You are far enough along that you and your baby should be okay if you travel, but I personally would not risk going that far away. I have a friend who went on vacation to the Bahamas at 4 mos preg, came down with E-coli and lost the baby from it. I think for your own safety and that of your baby's, I would not go.

i have flown serveral times while pregnant, up to 9 months! just make sure that you get up at least once an hour to go to the bathroom, or just to stretch. drink a lot of water and just try to relax and enjoy your vacation! it will be a while before you get to enjoy another vacation like that.

the flying part should be absolutely no trouble if you're healthy & have had all your tests. I flew internationally (Spain to Hawaii) at 8 1/2 months--no trouble!! just make sure you recline, curl up, don't sit absolutely still & upright the whole time. I would be more worried about the cruise, but then I get seasick.

W.,

If your doctor gives you the go-ahead... ABSOLUTELY go for it! Don't pass up the opportunity for a little R and R!

I do know that you should make sure to get up AT least once an hour and walk around to keep the blood flowing in your legs. I don't remember what the issue is but my doctor said to do it, and all my friends who flew were told the same thing.

Also, I might take some Airborn (homeopathic tablet that dissolves in water) It is kind of a preventative measure that I have used often. Check with your doc. first or course, to make sure it's OK... My doc said yes, but yours may feel differently!

HAVE FUN!
K.

Flying will be fine, just be sure you try and get up and walk around as much as you can. I was told by a friend that has worked for a cruise line for 25 years that once you reach 7 months pregnant they won't let you take a cruise, have you checked on this ? I was hoping to take a cruise as well but then was told by the cruise that once I reach 7 months they wouldn't allow it.
Hope you have a great trip and don't worry about the flying at all.

I say "GO"....if the doctor clears you to travel and you have not had any problems during your pregnancy "go for it"...From the sound of it you are a very busy person as it is...raising a 2yr old,and a husband,going to school,and pregnant.......Take the vacation.....enjoy a lil rest & relaxation before the baby comes..you may not get another chance for some time to come...Hey, but that's just me....I have 2 boys 22 & 21..and our daughter is 11.My husband & I haven't had anything more than a couple long weekends together in a long time,but we enjoy even our lil getaways to the fullest. If you can,relax NOW...it may be 20 years before you get another chance..... Good Luck & God Bless

Flying is fine until 36 weeks. Just make sure to walk around a lot. Have a great vacation!