Air Travel Pregnancy

  • This information is for you if you are pregnant and are thinking of travelling by air. The information is relevant for short haul (under four hours), medium and long haul (over four hours) flights.
  • If you are a member of a flight crew or you fly frequently as part of your work, you should seek additional advice from your occupational health department concerning your own situation.

  • If your pregnancy is straightforward, flying is not harmful for you or your baby:
    • If you have a straight forward pregnancy and are healthy, there is no evidence that the changes in air pressure and/or the decrease in humidity have a harmful effect on you or your baby.
    • There is no evidence that flying will cause miscarriage, early labour or your waters to break.
  • Anyone who flies is exposed to a slight increase in radiation. Occasional flights are not considered to present a risk to you or your baby

  • When you are pregnant, the safest time to fly is up to 28 weeks of pregnancy.
    • From 28 weeks of pregnancy you could go into labour at any time, which is why many women choose not to fly after this time.
  • Most airlines do not allow women to fly after 37 weeks. It is important that you check with your airline before flying.

  • Some pregnant women may experience discomfort during flying. You may have:
    • Swelling of your legs due to fluid retention (oedema)
    • Nasal congestion/problems with your ears – during pregnancy you are more likely to have a blocked nose and, combined with this, the changes in air pressure in the plane can also cause you to experience problems in your ears
    • Pregnancy sickness – if you experience motion sickness during the flight, it can make your sickness worse.

  • A DVT is a blood clot that forms in your leg or pelvis. If it travels to your lungs (pulmonary embolism) it can be life threatening. When you are pregnant and for up to six weeks after the birth of your baby, you have a higher risk of developing a DVT compared with women who are not pregnant.
  • There is an increased risk of developing a DVT while flying, due to sitting for a prolonged length of time. The risk of a DVT increases with the length of the flight. Your risk is also increased if you have additional risk factors such as a previous DVT or you are overweight.

  • If you are taking a short haul flight (less than four hours), it is unlikely that you will need to take any special measures.
  • To minimise the risk of a DVT on a medium or a long haul flight (over four hours), you should:
    • Wear loose clothing and comfortable shoes.
    • Try to get an aisle seat and take regular walks around the plane.
    • Do in-seat exercises every 30 minutes or so – the airline should give you information on these.
    • Have cups of water at regular intervals throughout your flight.
    • Cut down on drinks that contain alcohol or caffeine (coffee, fizzy drinks).
    • Wear graduated elastic compression stockings.

  • A medical condition or health problem can complicate your pregnancy and put you and your baby at risk. For this reason, if any of the following apply, you may be advised not to fly:
    • You are at increased risk of going into labour before your due date.
    • You have severe anaemia. This is when the level of red blood cells in your blood is lower than normal. (Red blood cells contain the iron-rich pigment haemoglobin, which carries oxygen around your body).
    • You have sickle cell disease (a condition which affects red blood cells) and you have recently had a sickle crisis.
    • You have recently had significant vaginal bleeding.
    • You have a serious condition affecting your lungs or heart that makes it very difficult for you to breathe.

  • To help decide whether or not to fly, think about your own medical history and any increased risks that you may have. The following questions may also help you in making your decision:

    • Why do you want to fly at this particular time?
    • Is your flight necessary?
    • How long is your flight? Will this increase your risk of medical problems?
    • How many weeks pregnant will you be when you travel and when you return?Your chance of going into labour is higher the further you are in pregnancy.
    • It is also important to remember that having a miscarriage, whether you fly or not, is common (one in five) in the first three months of pregnancy.
    • What are the medical facilities at your destination in the event of an unexpected complication with your pregnancy?
    • Have you had all the relevant immunisations and/or medication for the country you are travelling to? Have you checked with your doctor how these affect your pregnancy?

  • Your hand-held pregnancy notes.
  • Any medication you are taking.
  • If you are over 28 weeks pregnant, your airline may ask you to get a letter from your doctor stating when your baby is due and confirming that you are in good health, are having a straightforward pregnancy and are not at any increased risk of complications.
  • Any document needed to confirm your due date and that you are fit to fly. Some airlines have their own forms/documents that will need to be completed at any stage of pregnancy. Contact your airline if you are unsure.

  • You will have to go through the normal security checks before flying. This is not considered to be a risk to you or your baby.

  • You must wear a seatbelt. You should ensure the strap of your seatbelt is reasonably tightly fastened across the top of your thighs and then under your bump. Ask the cabin crew if you need a seatbelt extension.

  • Any pregnant woman has a small chance of going into labour early or for her waters to break early. If this happens to you on a flight, there is no guarantee that other passengers or crewmembers will be trained and experienced to help you give birth safely. As a result, the pilot may have to divert the flight to get help for you.

  • This information aims to helps you make the best decision regarding your care. It is not meant to replace advice from a doctor about your own situation.