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The pregnant woman can travel by plane as long as she has consulted the obstetrician before the trip for an evaluation to be made and to check if there is any risk. In general, air travel is safe from the 3rd month of pregnancy, because before that 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 nausea, which could make the trip uncomfortable and unpleasant.
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 can 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 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 older 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 physician'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 communicate to 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 delivery can happen naturally inside the plane, with the help of close people and the crew, being a remarkable experience.
How to relax during the flight
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 for the pregnant woman to have 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;
- Avoid clothes that are too tight to avoid changes in blood circulation;
- Drink water avoiding coffee, soft drinks or teas, and prefer foods that are easy to digest;
- Adopt breathing techniques, maintaining concentration on abdominal movement, as it helps to keep the mind focused and calm, helping to relax.
Always having books and magazines on hand with subjects you like can also help to provide a less stressful trip. If you are afraid to travel 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 while flying.
In addition, it is important to remember that after long journeys, some symptoms of Jet Lag may appear, such as tiredness and difficulty sleeping, which are normal and end in a few days.