Is it safe for pregnant women to fly?
Your partner's body is making room for the growing baby, adjusting to meet their needs, and changing every day. Under the influence of pregnancy hormones, her body will start to retain fluid, causing swelling in different body parts, including ones as unrelated as the legs and nasal tissue. Her eyesight may also be affected, so a consultation with her ophthalmologist might be in order [1].
Many couples find this the perfect time for a “babymoon”, a trip or vacation before the baby is born. During the second trimester, traveling by air is not much of an issue for pregnant women. As the due date approaches though, her growing abdomen can get in the way and the risk of premature birth increases [2].
Flying is considered safe for most moms-to-be [3] but there are some contraindications. If your partner suffers from cardiovascular or lung diseases, a placental pathology, cervical insufficiency, or other health issues [2, 4], she must consult her doctor and get approval before booking a flight.
In the cabin, expectant mothers need to drink plenty of water and get up to walk and stretch their legs regularly. Loose clothing and breathable fabrics can make traveling more comfortable [3]. She may experience some discomfort, but it will likely be manageable. In case of severe vomiting, diarrhea, sudden swelling of the legs, pain when walking, or vaginal bleeding, urgent medical attention is needed [2]. All of this also applies to long road trips.
