Is it possible to fly an airplane during pregnancy?

Traveling and trips bring a lot of positive emotions, however, they are primarily associated with a long journey and flights. In the normal state, this does not cause any concern, but in the state of pregnancy, women have a huge number of questions, one of which is how dangerous a flight can be for a pregnant woman. In addition, many are interested in how to travel with the stomach, as well as many other important and disturbing issues.

Pregnancy is a special condition of a woman, which is always accompanied by many fears, many of which are just prejudices. For example, many elderly ladies say that you can not cut your hair during pregnancy, and some mothers say that buying a baby in advance is a bad omen. However, such signs and instructions are not at all capable of spoiling the life of the expectant mother or somehow harming the child.

As for travel, here the fears are more significant, since the impact of the aircraft can have an effect on the female body. For this reason, it is necessary to carefully understand the problem and determine whether flying on an airplane can actually be dangerous, or is it nothing more than prejudice. It is worth noting that specialists have not yet come to a consensus on flights for pregnant women. For this reason, most doctors simply call travel and flights an undesirable risk.

What usually causes concern?

There are several factors that most often cause concern in expectant mothers:

Change in pressure and, as a consequence, the occurrence of too early birth
A well-known fact is that women in pregnancy are very sensitive to pressure changes. In flight, its performance can be especially felt at the beginning and end of the journey. It is impossible to understand and predict in advance exactly how a woman will survive such shocks. Nowadays, there is an opinion that sudden changes in pressure can provoke too early childbirth. However, it must be borne in mind that reliable data confirming this do not exist today. As for preterm birth, they can occur and are not able to fly. The only problem, if the birth takes place on the ground, will be the opportunity to call an ambulance and get qualified help. In the air, there are no such advantages. The risk of premature birth can be determined on the ground using ultrasound. Some airlines today even introduce some rules that limit the possibility of flights for expectant mothers. For example, in some cases, women in late pregnancy are not allowed to board the aircraft.

Not enough oxygen
Indeed, during the flight, the amount of oxygen in the cabin decreases slightly, which causes concern for future mothers. As a rule, they are afraid that the child may experience oxygen starvation. However, Swiss scientists conducted a study and determined that the reduction in oxygen does not affect the amount of gas in the blood of women, as well as the condition of the fetus during the flight. For this reason, modern science does not see the danger in a small decrease in oxygen. It is worth considering that these studies are relevant only for those women who do not have any deviations in their condition. For example, women suffering from anemia will endure the flight much harder.Therefore, this factor is a contraindication to flying on an airplane.

Venous diseases and congestion in the veins.

Firstly, it’s better to wear compression stockings during the flight.

Secondly, during the flight it is necessary to drink as much water as possible. It is not recommended to drink caffeinated drinks before the flight and during it.

In addition, it will be useful to walk around the cabin every hour for about 10 minutes.

The probability of exposure to radiation
Radioactive radiation from space is not a myth at all. This phenomenon does exist and is being studied extensively in institutions such as NASA. Their main concern is the safety of astronauts. While on the ground, we can not be afraid of radiation from space, because we are protected by a large atmospheric layer. However, at the altitude of the aircraft, the protection layer is less, as a result of which the danger of radioactive radiation increases. It is worth noting that at the end of the last century, US Aviation reported that pilots receive almost the same exposure during the year as if they were at objects with an increased radiation background. However, pregnant women who do not work on an airplane and do not fly every day should not worry. According to scientists, rare flights will not expose a woman to significant radiation. For example, a flight lasting 7 hours leads to irradiation, equal to half as much as during an X-ray examination. Pregnant women should not worry about radiation from a metal detector. Experts say that there is nothing wrong with this, you can compare such exposure with a weak magnetic field.

What week is it better to board a plane?

The most suitable for traveling and traveling by plane is the 2nd trimester. It lasts from 14 to 28 weeks. In the first trimester, flying is quite dangerous, because at this time the child’s organs are not yet formed, at this time a miscarriage can easily occur. In addition, in flight, a woman is likely to be tormented by toxicosis. The third trimester is dangerous mainly by the occurrence of premature birth. In addition, due to the large abdomen, a woman may experience discomfort in flight, because the seats on the planes are not adapted for women in pregnancy.

It is important to consider that the final decision on the possibility of travel for a pregnant woman must be made by her gynecologist. Only a specialist can reliably tell how a pregnancy is proceeding, what problems a woman has, and what are the risks. If the gynecologist gave the green light to the flight, you should take a certificate from him to confirm the gestational age and indicate the upcoming date of birth. In addition, it will be useful to indicate in the certificate that there are no contraindications to the flight. As a rule, to obtain such a document, you must first pass the tests and undergo an ultrasound examination. This will help the gynecologist to form a complete picture of the course of pregnancy.

What are the requirements for airlines?

Before buying a plane ticket, it is necessary to study the rules and standards of the airline, especially regarding the provision of services for women in the state. Each company defines its requirements.For example, the Russian company Aeroflot to all women whose birth is planned in the next month after the flight, reports the need to present the consent of the gynecologist for the trip. Moreover, this document must be provided no less than a week before the flight.

Transaero allows pregnant women to fly their planes only when the date of birth does not arrive earlier than 4 weeks after the flight. In addition, you can fly only when there is no risk of giving birth too early. Information about the health of a pregnant woman is also needed to provide airline employees with a specialist opinion and an exchange card.

In addition to these documents, a woman must sign an obligation before the flight, according to which the carrier is not responsible for any consequences for the health of the pregnant woman or her fetus that may arise during the flight, or as a result of it.

AirFrance does not require any documents from pregnant women at all, however, it still recommends that you visit your doctor first. It is important to clarify all the details before the flight, so as not to stay at the airport later.

How to make a flight successful?

There are several recommendations for a successful flight:

1. The best option would be a business class, since the chairs are wider and more comfortable. In addition, the air in the aircraft is distributed in such a way that its tail is much smaller. Therefore, it is better to choose a business class and sit in the front seats. It is better to choose a place closer to the aisle, so that you can walk during the flight.
2. Clothing is better to choose loose, comfortable, from natural materials. You can also take 2-3 pillows with you so that you can comfortably sit.
3. You should take more water on the plane.
4. A seat belt is best placed under the stomach.
5. Before the flight, you can take off your shoes and occasionally work with calf muscles so that the blood does not stagnate.
6. To feel fresh, you can take along a spray filled with sea water.
7. You must have a card and information on basic medical indicators with you.

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