Help: Flying While Pregnant?

[Grumpy126]

For all the Moms out there, or anyone else for that matter. I don't have much time to do a search on this topic, so any help with your 2 cents would be appreciated.

My wife wants to get to Disney World around her 30 or 31st week of pregnancy. I too think it would be a nice "Babymoon," but am concerned about her flying on a plane for the 2 1/2 hours to Florida.

The doctors say it is ok (I asked him 3 different times), the books say it is ok too, but I still don't want to take any unnecessary risks. Am I crazy? Has anyone on here done the flight while pregnant with no problems?

I see how many young children have problems with their ears not popping on flights, well why would a unborn child be any different. They say they hear quit well in there and I would not want to cause any damage!

I dont' know, just looking for some reassurance I guess. This is a great site and figured some families have already pondered over this situation.

For the record, we are vacation club members, and plan to go in October 2007 when the kid is about 10 months old, so it won't kill us to not go this year (although it feels like it). I'd love to make the wife happy, but not any the little persons expense, there are other places we can drive too.

Hope this made sense.

 

[dsneygirl]

I flew from Calfornia to NY at about 25w with no problem. I made sure to drink lots of water to stay hydrated and I got up more fequently to walk around and stretch.

 

[katerkat]

I flew at about 26 weeks with no problem. And it was cross-country, about 7 hours. I just got up to walk a lot, and drank a lot of water. Get an aisle seat, too - I had to visit the restroom often.

Also, around 31 weeks my husband and i made a trip to Seattle and I spent the whole time walking around and really enjoying things. It was right before I started feeling extremely pregnant, but I wasn't tired or sick like earlier in the pregnancy. Perfect time for a trip! (But expect her to want to stay in the pool a lot. Ahh, floating...)

 

[james'mommy]

I flew to Europe and back while pregnant with no problems. She would just need to drink lots and lots of water and make sure to walk around a little during the flight. The only problem I had with flying while pregnant was some tummy ickyness while landing (so bad the stewardess got out of her jumpseat to get me wet papertowels), and that was probably because I got food poisioning in Paris. As long as the doc says it's okay and it's before the airlines will no longer let her fly it shouldn't be a problem. Enjoy the last little bit of non crazy vacation time you will get for a long, long time.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I flew 2.5 hours to Kansas City while pregnant at 36 weeks.

I think she will be totally fine.

I would absolutely get trip insurance or refundable tix in case her condition changes and she is restricted from doing that.

Before booking--confirm with her OB that the trip would be okay barring any complications that arise.

If you get insurance--make sure that it would include something like pregnancy. Some policies bar existing conditions which is kind of silly, but I guess makes the policy cheaper.

 

[DisneyBoundinDec]

We are flying down when I am 30 weeks pg too. My ob said it would be fine. Its such a short trip, just have her stay hydrated and get up and walk the isle if she needs it.

 

[AliciaS]

I wouldn't worry about his/her ears popping. That problem is due to air pressure and I imagine the pressure is pretty constant inside.

Have fun! Enjoy this time with just the two of you. Really......really.

 

[sherreis]

Flying is fine at that time of pregnancy as long as her OB says OK, which you already checked.

Like everyone else has said, make sure she gets an aisle seat for the flight. She wants to get up and stretch her legs every 2 hrs. to help promote circulation.

Drink plenty of fluids - when flying and when walking around so much.

Ask her OB for a copy of her prenatal record to take with you (just in case something happens and you need to go to a local hospital).

Enjoy the time together before the baby arrives - life will be hectic for awhile after that.

She might want to bring along an extra pair of walking shoes in case her feet swell towards the end of the day.

 

[emma'smom]

I flew to Australia at 32 weeks pregnant....with my OB's blessing and no problems. Since it was a 16 hour flight (after a 5 hour cross country flight to get to LA), she did suggest that I get up and walk around every 30 minutes or so and I wore elastic circulation stockings while on the plane. Your wife shouldn't need to do this for a 2 1/2 hour flight.


I also did several short flights at 8 months pregnant with my first dd. In this case, I was flying alone for a job interview. The only issue was that my ankles were just hitting that point where they start to swell a bit. I made the mistake of taking my shoes off and couldn't get them back on comfortably (they were business heels). She might choose to wear shoes with more "give" in case this happens (like loose fitting tennis shoes, etc).

Also, when I checked in..I also said "I'm pregnant, if there are any seats with an empty one next to it, is there a chance I can have it?"

With the new "no liquid" flight regulations, I would just make sure that you alert the flight attendants right when you get on the plane that she is expecting. They may make a point of getting beverages to you faster since you can't bring them on to the plane yourself.

 

[Grumpy126]

That was quick! Thank you ALL for the replies!

Should be no problem. Hopefully we can work out a trip. Take care!

 

[SaraMc]

Also you can ask for a seatbelt extender, I found that made me faaaar more comfy during take off and landing.

 

[karenTX]

I agree with everyone else here but wanted to add something.
When I flew at 26 weeks I wore "support" hose/socks that I got from Motherhood Maternity. They were great for keeping the circulation going in my legs. My legs felt great!!

 

[Reese]

I flew at 31 weeks and had no problems. As long as she has the go ahead from her OB there is nothing to worry about. Just make sure that she stays well hydrated and stands up and walks a little to keep the circulation going.
As for baby's ears popping, they will not be subject to the pressure changes as they have their own little personal environment in the womb.

 

[barbie78]

I took 2 trips during my 2nd trimester with DD2 because I knew that I would not be able to travel as much with a baby. Enjoy the "Babymoon!" And remember, your stress and worry makes Mommy stress and worry. So relax, and enjoy your last trip together before kids. Because next time you will ride IASW 3 times in a row , just to see your childs face light up again!

 

[Vavasmon]

I traveled for work most of my pregnancy (last flight was at about 32 weeks).
Her DR. is the person most familiar with the medical situation of her pregnancy - as long as the Dr is ok with it enjoy your trip. With Drs. ok we took a last get away weekend about 2.5 hours from home a week or 2 later.

Most everything has been said - make sure she drinks plenty of water, seatbelt extenders, and aisle seats. I agree with rules make sure the flight attendants know she will need water and make sure she is hydrated before boarding the aircraft. Speaking from experience, an aisle seat near the restroom is very nice. Dr made sure I was aware of the foot/leg exercises in case getting up was not possible - these still come in handy 10 years later on planes. I always had my prenatal info and the Drs. emergency number just in case.

As far as ears go - the popping is caused by air pressure changes - the baby is protected by the fluid and you wife's body.

 

[ilovejack02]

She might want to bring along an extra pair of walking shoes in case her feet swell towards the end of the day.

I read bring along an extra pair of walking shoes in case her feet get SMELLY towards the end of the day!!!
I was like what does SMELL have to do with anything... Goodness I think i need to go to bed, i must be tired lol