- How to relax during the flight
- Is it safe to travel by plane during pregnancy?
- Even when pregnant women can travel by plane
- What to do if labor starts on the plane
To ensure calm and tranquility during the flight, it is advisable to avoid trips very close to the likely date of delivery and preferably choose an accent in the corridor, close to the toilet of the plane because it is normal that the pregnant woman has to get up to go to the bathroom several times during the trip.
Other tips that can be useful, guaranteeing peace and quiet during the trip are:
- Always keep the belt tight, below the belly and wear light and comfortable clothing; Getting up to walk the plane every hour, to improve blood circulation, decreasing the risk of thrombosis; Drink water avoiding coffee, soft drinks or teas, and prefer foods that are easy to digest.
Always having books and magazines on hand with subjects you like can also help to provide a less stressful trip. If you are afraid of traveling by plane, it can be useful to buy a book that talks about this subject, because everyone has good tips for overcoming fear and anxiety during the flight.
In addition, it is important to remember that after long trips some symptoms of Jet Lag may appear, such as tiredness and difficulty sleeping, which are normal and end up in a few days. learn more about this problem in How to deal with Jet Lag.
How to relax during the flight
To relax during the trip, the doctor may be asked for some medication that can be used to help relax, especially if the woman is afraid of flying. Adopting breathing techniques, maintaining concentration on abdominal movement, can also help to keep the mind focused and calm, helping to relax.
In addition, it is important to avoid wearing tight clothing and getting up every hour to stimulate blood circulation and avoid excessive swelling or thrombosis. It is recommended by the doctor, especially on very long flights, the use of elastic compression stockings, helping to prevent situations that may happen during the flight.
Is it safe to travel by plane during pregnancy?
Air travel is safe from the 3rd month of pregnancy, as there is still a risk of miscarriage and changes in the baby's formation process, in addition to the fact that the first trimester of pregnancy can be marked by constant seasickness, which could make the trip uncomfortable and unpleasant. However, before traveling it is necessary to go to the obstetrician so that an evaluation is made and the pregnant woman is released for the trip.
For the trip to be considered safe, it is recommended to pay attention to the type of airplane, as smaller planes may not have a pressurized cabin, which may result in decreased oxygenation of the placenta, increased heart rate and blood pressure. In addition, some conditions related to women can interfere with flight safety and baby health, such as:
- Vaginal bleeding or pain before boarding; High blood pressure; Sickle cell anemia; Diabetes; Placental insufficiency; Ectopic pregnancy; Severe anemia.
Therefore, medical evaluation at least 10 days before the trip is essential to check the health status of the mother and baby and, thus, be indicated if the trip is safe or not.
Even when pregnant women can travel by plane
Although there is no consensus between doctors and airlines even when it is safe for pregnant women to travel by plane, travel is usually allowed up to 28 weeks, in the case of single pregnancies, or 25 weeks in the case of twins, provided that do not have any sign of contraindication, such as vaginal bleeding, high blood pressure or diabetes, for example.
In the case of women of a higher gestational age, travel is allowed up to 35 weeks of gestation provided that the woman has medical authorization in hand, which must include the origin and destination of the trip, the date of the flight, the maximum allowed flight time, gestational age, estimate of the baby's birth and doctor's comments. This document must be sent to the airline and presented at check-in and / or boarding. From week 36, travel is only authorized by the airline if the doctor accompanies the woman during the trip.
What to do if labor starts on the plane
If uterine contractions start inside the plane, the woman should try to remain calm at the same time as she must inform the crew about what is happening, because if the trip is too long and still very far from her destination, it may be necessary to land at the nearest airport or call an ambulance to wait for you as soon as you land at your destination.
Labor can take about 12 to 14 hours in the first pregnancy and this time tends to decrease in subsequent pregnancies and that is why it is not advisable to travel by plane, especially on long trips, after 35 weeks of gestation. However, the woman's body is prepared for conception and childbirth can happen naturally inside the plane, with the help of close people and the crew, being a remarkable experience.
