When is unsafe to fly during pregnancy

If you are aged 35 years or over and pregnant for the first time, you are also advised not to travel. Travellers to most developing nations need to be immunised against diseases such as typhoid. Most vaccines are either dangerous to unborn babies or haven't been adequately tested for safety on pregnant women.

The important exception to this is the influenza vaccine, which can be safely given during pregnancy. It is strongly recommended for all pregnant women, as influenza in pregnancy can be a very serious illness.

Generally, all live virus vaccines such as mumps and measles should be avoided during pregnancy. Some vaccines, such as for yellow fever, may cautiously be given after the first trimester. Be advised by your doctor. It is recommended that pregnant women delay any travel to developing nations until after their babies are born.

Malaria is an infection carried by particular species of mosquito. A pregnant woman who catches malaria risks miscarriage, premature labour and stillbirth.

Some antimalarial drugs such as chloroquine are considered safe to take during pregnancy, but others such as doxycycline are potentially harmful to the unborn baby. It is recommended that pregnant women avoid travelling to areas where malaria is present.

Long periods of not moving during car, bus, rail and air travel increases the risk of clots forming in the deep veins of the leg, known as deep vein thrombosis DVT. These clots can circulate and lodge in parts of the body such as the lungs. One in 1, pregnant women will develop DVT. Research indicates the risk of DVT can increase by two or three times in a long-distance flight. There is no research-based advice on travel for pregnant women. However, if you choose to travel long distances, you should:.

Before you leave, discuss with your doctor whether you need to travel with a medical kit. Remember to pack this kit in your carry-on luggage so you can access it during the flight.

If you feel weak and dizzy, light-headed or even slightly nauseous, it may be a sign that you are overheating and dehydrated. Certain sporting activities carry an increased risk to your unborn baby. Activities to avoid include:. Be careful to avoid food poisoning, as certain infections can harm the baby or trigger miscarriage. Remember to:. Pregnant women should be wary of taking medications of any kind. Some medications can pass to the baby through the placenta and cause birth defects or miscarriage.

This page has been produced in consultation with and approved by:. In Victoria, you can have two types of abortion: surgical and medication. Both types are safe and reliable. You can have a medication abortion up to nine weeks of pregnancy.

You can have a surgical abortion from around six weeks of pregnancy onwards. Being young and fit doesn't reduce your risk of altitude sickness.

Pregnant women with asthma need to continue to take their asthma medication as it is important to the health of both mother and baby that the mother's asthma is well managed. Before taking your trip, visit your doctor to make sure your asthma is under control well before you leave. Content on this website is provided for information purposes only.

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Healthy pregnancy. Home Healthy pregnancy. Pregnancy and travel. Travel during pregnancy. March of Dimes. Morof, D.

Covid Pregnant and Recently Pregnant People. International Travel During Covid Terry Ward is a freelance travel, health, and parenting writer who has covered everything from flying with toddlers to why you should travel with your kids even when they're too young to remember it. She lives in Tampa, Florida, with her husband and their young son and daughter, and enjoys camping, sailing, scuba diving, skiing, and almost anything else done in the great outdoors.

Join now to personalize. When is flying while pregnant not safe? There are some situations when it's not safe to fly while you're pregnant, including if you: are having signs of a possible miscarriage , such as cramping, pain, or bleeding have cervical insufficiency an incompetent cervix have preeclampsia have vaginal bleeding are under observation for preterm labor have premature rupture of membranes PROM , which means you're leaking amniotic fluid or your water has broken but you're not yet in labor Your healthcare provider may also recommend you not fly if you: are carrying twins or higher multiples after 28 weeks have intrauterine growth restriction have a history of miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy have placenta previa or another placental abnormality have any chronic medical condition, such as diabetes or high blood pressure have a history of blood clots have any other conditions that put your pregnancy at extra risk How late in pregnancy can you fly?

Tips for flying when pregnant These tips will help you and your baby stay safe and comfortable on your next flight: For the smoothest ride, request a seat in the middle of the plane over the wing. This is the area where you're least likely to get airsick too. For more legroom, try to get a seat in the bulkhead or pay for an upgrade. Stretch your legs and flex your feet as often as possible to minimize swelling.

Choose an aisle seat so you can get up easily to go to the bathroom or walk around and stretch — which you should do at least once an hour every half hour is even better.

Pregnant women who sit still for long periods have a higher risk of developing deep vein thrombosis. Wearing compression socks can also help you avoid clots because they keep the blood moving in your legs. Wear comfortable shoes, as your feet may become swollen when flying.

Opt for loose clothing to stay as comfortable as possible too. Drink lots of fluids especially water to avoid the dehydrating effects of dry cabin air.

Go to the bathroom frequently, especially before the plane begins its descent. Conclusion There is insufficient evidence to support the claim that infrequent air travel during an uncomplicated, low-risk pregnancy is harmful to the mother or fetus, particularly for longer flights during which the cabins are well-pressurized.

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