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Although it may be completely safe to fly during your pregnancy, it would be a great idea to play it safe and take your time to do some EXTRA PLANNING as well as take some steps in advance which will practically act as your belt and braces.
You should first and foremost consider letting your ATTENDING PHYSICIAN know that you’re planning to embark on a flight. Remember that most of the pregnancy-related emergencies occur in the first and third trimesters while the second trimester is, as a general rule, thought to be the safest time to travel.
However, you should not necessarily take this for granted and plan a flight without consulting your obstetrician. Do consider asking your health care provider if there are any medical concerns you need to feel uneasy or concerned about.
Also, do not forget to ask whether you need to undertake any tests in the upcoming period of time and, why not, if you’re in fact okay to travel. You’ll absolutely need EXTRA CARE if you’re experiencing a HIGH-RISK PREGNANCY, so traveling is certainly a huge question mark in this case. What is more, if you want to fly around any prenatal tests, do take account of the fact that you’ll need time not only to get the results, but to plan a strategy depending on the results of these tests.
Generally speaking, the following tests are normally carried out during pregnancy: chorionic villus sampling (CVS)(10 to 12 weeks); amniocentesis (15 to 18 weeks); multiple marker screening (15 to 20 weeks); ultrasound (16 to 20 weeks); glucose screening test (GCT) (24 to 28 weeks); group B strep screening (35 to 37 weeks). You’ll certainly need to reconsider traveling if there are COMPLICATIONS and your obstetrician may suggest you stay home.
Gathering your medical records is certainly a further step to be taken into account. Before you depart, compile a list of key names as well as telephone numbers you may need in case of emergency. Do not forget to put this list in you CARRY-ON. Moreover, you should also have a copy of your prenatal chart which basically includes all the information related to you and you pregnancy (your age, your due date, risk factors for disease, your medical and surgical history, as well as a flow sheet of vital signs taken at each visit). Even though air travel is safe for most women up to 34 weeks of pregnancy, you may also ask your doctor to recommend a health care provide in the area you’re traveling to. Such information may prove to be extremely useful in case of an emergency or if you feel I you need a CHECK-UP. Of course, you should indeed be able to locate the hospital nearest to your destination before you depart, or at least, the moment to reach your destination. Prepare yourself for an emergency by packing your medications and a copy of your medical records.
Make sure you have all the medications you need and be careful to pack a sufficient supply of prescription medications, prenatal vitamins, and even over-the-counter remedies you may need during your trip. It’s a great idea to have prescription medicine in its original container, so if your bags are searched it will be clear that you’re not using medication without a prescription.
Then, you may want to check your HEALTH INSURANCE POLICY to see whether it covers pregnancy complications during your journey. If it doesn’t, you should opt for an additional insurance to cover any emergency expenses which you may run into. Furthermore, do not forget to check the airline regulation as they may vary. Some carriers allow pregnant women to fly in the third trimester with a letter from the doctor stating how far along they are on the date of flying. Don’t consider lying in this case. If the plane has to be diverted because you go into labor, you may be billed the costs, which is not a happy perspective, is it?
Finally, just fasten your seat belt and enjoy your flight.
