have you flown pregnant? would you?

So i know that in general, doctors say its fine to fly pregnant in your 1st & 2nd trimesters, as long as you're not having problems.
That said, what are your thoughts and opinions on flying pregnant? Have you? Would you?
dh and i booked a trip to the country music festival in nashville for june. We booked it while i was still ttc and figured even if i got pregnant i wouldnt be far enough along to cause a problem. Ive been sooo excited for this trip and also it would prob be dh & i's last big trip, just us. I will be 20-21 weeks along, we'd be going for 5 nights and the flight is about 2.5hrs each way.
I didnt give it much thought until yesterday when one of my bosses told me that you shouldnt ever fly when pregnant, bc you never know. She told me about her friend who flew from ny to georgia at 7 months preg, went into preterm labor there, she was kept in the hospital for 2 weeks trying to ward off delivery, she delivered at that point and the child, who is now 6, doesnt walk or talk and is mentally handicapped as well.
i know this is prob an extreme situation and many people prob fly while pregnant and are just fine. I also know she was prob in, or close to, her 3rd tri. But now this story is just lingering in my mind i told dh and he's wondering if we should cancel the trip. We'll talk to the dr about it Monday, i just wanted my LIF ladies opinions/thoughts.

Re: have you flown pregnant? would you?

No experience but IMO you should be totally fine!!

Re: have you flown pregnant? would you?

We booked a trip to CA before I found out I was pregnant. I'll be between 18-20 weeks. I won't lie, I am nervous about it, but I am not going to cancel the trip. This may be our last vacation for a long time, lol. I've known many women who have flown during their pregnancy w/out complications, and there are steps you can take to reduce any you might experience. My main concern is swelling. Book an aisle seat, get up to walk once an hour, move your ankles and feet around a bit, drink 8 oz water per hour, wear compression socks....Try to relax and hope for the best. And enjoy your vacation and time with your DH!

Re: have you flown pregnant? would you?

I have flown a few times when pregnant. The biggest things to make sure you do is stay hydrated and walk the aisle. My DH was like the walking police the last time we flew when I was PG. The walking is to help with circulation.

I wouldn't not fly when PG. I just would not fly in my last 1-2 months.

Re: have you flown pregnant? would you?

I have flown when pregnant a bunch of times, and will be flying next week at 28.5 weeks pregnant. If your doctor is fine with it I don't see why there are any issues.

Re: have you flown pregnant? would you?

I flew at 20 weeks...with a 2.5 year old by myself...you should be fine


PACK SNACKS!!!

Message edited 3/31/2012 10:04:42 AM.

Re: have you flown pregnant? would you?

I flew last week at 33 weeks. It wasn;t that bad (only a 2.5 hour flight).

I also flew at 29 and 23 weeks. No issues any time. No swelling, no nothing. Just had to pee a bunch of times!

Re: have you flown pregnant? would you?

I flew to California and back when I was 18/19 weeks pregnant with my first DC. It wasn't uncomfortable at all, surprisingly.

Re: have you flown pregnant? would you?

with DD #1 I flew to Israel at 15 weeks. Dr's had no problem with it - just told me to get up and walk around a lot.

I just flew to Puerto Rico last month, a week after getting my BFP!

Re: have you flown pregnant? would you?

First i totally understand your nerves. I was nervous for my trip. I just got back from a trip with a 3.5 hour flight each way. I was 26 weeks when I flew and Im ok. I drank a ton of water and stretched my legs throughout the flight. All my friends flew through their pregnancies and are totally fine... There are plenty of girls on here that have flown and are ok...
With that said you have to do what your comfortable with. You wont have a good time if your nervous the whole time.

Second I hate people that try to scare you with someone elses horror story where they dont give you the whole picture. Unfortunately bad things happen in this world everyday it doesnt mean it will happen to you. That person doesnt know that womans personal medical history. Or if she was having complications prior to her trip. She doesnt know if that woman had a previous loss or was prone to premature labor. She doesnt know if she had a bad diet, fell, smoked, drank or possibly did something to cause it. And maybe just maybe she was unfortunate and something bad happened.

I went through something traumatic and i would never ever scare another woman because of what ive been through. Its rude, and cruel.
Dont let that woman scare you.
If your not having any complications and you take care of yourselfI say go and enjoy yourself.

Eta: your also going to be in nashville, within in the US. Your not going to a 3rd world country ya know? That should make you feel more reassured that GOD Forbid there is any emergency your going to get excellent medical care. Look up the nearest hospital so youll know where it is. Maybe that will make you feel more reassured.

Message edited 3/31/2012 10:34:08 AM.

Re: have you flown pregnant? would you?

I flew when I was 23 weeks. No issues except for some crazy swelling in my ankles prob bc I didn't get up at all on a 3 hr flight. So my advice to to walk around a bit. Keep feet elevated as much as you can and drink a lot of water!!!

Re: have you flown pregnant? would you?

Yes I have at 35 weeks pregnant. I will never fly again that late. Not because there were issues (other than lots of swelling) but because I was too naive to think about pre-term labor.

However, at 20/21 weeks, I would fly. That is still early enough in a pregnancy where most women's bodies can handle it.

Of course, if you are high risk, you should clear it with your dr.

Re: have you flown pregnant? would you?

i flew to vegas in my first trimester. I think it's totally fine! I personally would do it up until like 6 weeks to my due date but it depends on your pregnancy of course.

Re: have you flown pregnant? would you?

Re: have you flown pregnant? would you?

I flew numerous times during both pregnancies and I had no pregnancy related issues (just weather related ones). Nashville is awesome, I was there when I was 10 weeks pregnant and got stuck due to the hurricane here this summer. enjoy!

Re: have you flown pregnant? would you?

I just flew at 34 weeks to NY from Chicago and back. No worries at all. My OB said it would have only been a problem if I has any complications during my pregnancy (I didn't) or if I was flying to another country. So, before I left, she cleared me with a bunch of labs and made sure my BP was OK (I had a few off days with my BP). All was good and I flew. I kept moving my feet throughout the fight and got up twice to stretch and move around so I could keep the blood circulating. All was good! At 20 weeks, on that short flight, you'll be fine!

Message edited 3/31/2012 1:37:41 PM.

Re: have you flown pregnant? would you?

I flew to Vegas just last week (was 17 weeks) and was fine. My doctor told me to hydrate before getting on the plane and to walk around every 45 minutes. We hit some bumpy patches so I couldn't get up every 45 minutes but did when the seat belt sign was off. I will be flying to Ft. Lauderdale in June at 27 weeks unless my doctor tells me otherwise.

Re: have you flown pregnant? would you?

I flew at 17 weeks to Florida, I felt a little dizzy on the plane ride going there but otherwise was fine, doc said sitting in the same place too long could have triggered it. I am also flying again at 25 weeks to south carolina, doc gave me the OK.

Re: have you flown pregnant? would you?

I just flew to Atlanta last week (15 weeks) and booked a trip to Austria when I'll be 23 weeks. I am not nervous at all, but will be sure to know where hospitals are in case anything happens. Odds are definitely in your favor that's you'll be completely fine!!! Only if you're high risk would I be cautious about going too far. Enjoy your babymoon.

Re: have you flown pregnant? would you?

I flew to San Diego at 17w and Ft Lauderdale at 23w. Was totally fine!!

Re: have you flown pregnant? would you?

I did, I flew to Florida. It was fine but I was really nervous the whole time. I'm trying to plan a trip in June and I'm really scared of flying again

Re: have you flown pregnant? would you?

Flew @ 8-9 week pregnant with no problems! Have fun

Re: have you flown pregnant? would you?

I did and had a bad experience but I was early in 1st. trim......
with ds I didn't fly and I still won't with this one.

But I think in the second trimester would be fine for people.

Re: have you flown pregnant? would you?

I have flown with my first pregnancy and will be flying with this pregnancy as well. All is fine!

Re: have you flown pregnant? would you?

I flew at 25/26 weeks. My ILs lived in Phoenix and we were going to visit them.

Bring an empty water bottle through security and fill it up before you get on the plane. Stay hydrated, get up and walk when possible, and you should be fine!! Enjoy your trip!