A last minute 'babymoon' or flights home to see family before the imminent arrival ... there are many reasons to travel while pregnant, but knowing the guidelines will help you better plan your trip. If you're pregnant and planning on jetting off, here are the things you need to know.
Baby onboard - plan before you fly.
First and foremost, pregnant women should discuss your intended travel plans with your doctor well before you book your flight to avoid pregnancy complications like blood clots or deep vein thrombosis that will effect the unborn baby. In most circumstances they'll need to give you medical clearance on how late can you fly pregnant, and provide you with a medical certificate to keep handy, so they should always be your first checkpoint when planning air travel.
For the most part, if you're healthy and undergoing an uncomplicated pregnancy (that is, a pregnancy with no medical concerns or complications), you're good to go and travel up until 28 weeks. It's from the 28-week mark where there is an increased risk for the unborn baby and mother and that the airlines start to enforce certain rules for air travel, so it's always best to plan your travel – if possible – within the early stages or your first or second trimester.
Make sure you have all the necessary documentation.
Importantly, pregnant women will need to carry a medical certificate on you from 28 weeks. This is a letter from your registered medical practitioner or registered doctor or midwife providing key information in case of medical treatment, such as your estimated due date; whether this is a single or multiple pregnancy (i.e. twins); whether this is a routine pregnancy, and stating that there are no complications with the pregnancy. Pregnant women will need to keep this handy so it's available on request during check-in at the airport and during the flight for flight attendants. Medical clearance is required if you are having complications with your pregnancy and are at high risk of birth defects or needing medical care (that is, if the pregnancy is not considered routine).
RELATED: Flying With A Baby: Long-Haul Tips To Save Your Sanity
Between 28 to 40 weeks for a single pregnancy, airlines such as Qantas and Jetstar will allow you to travel on flights under four hours. For multiple pregnancies, you are allowed to travel until the end of your 36th week. Virgin's policy stipulates you have the OK to fly with a medical certificate up until 38 weeks for flights under four hours.
For flights over four hours, Qantas, Jetstar and Virgin allow air travel up until the end of the 36th week for single pregnancies and the end of the 32nd week for multiple pregnancies.
Ask for an aisle seat so you can move around easily.
Not all airlines are the same, though, so it's important to speak with your travel agent before you book. Air New Zealand, for example, will allow you to travel up until the end of the 35th week for flights over five hours and to the end of the 37th week for flights under five hours. For other pregnancies, you can travel up to the end of the 31st week.
Anyone who has experienced a pregnancy will know those aches and pains hang around at the best of times so how do you make it work with air travel? While onboard, be sure to drink bottled water and walk around often to keep your blood flow circulation flowing to avoid blood clots. Sanitiser is also highly recommended to fight off any infection carried on the aircraft. It is also recommended to take out travel insurance that covers you for serious pregnancy-related medical complications for air travel. You may have to pay extra for this travel insurance cover. Most travel insurance policies won't cover you and your baby for medical care for a premature labour and birth. If you don't have a policy that covers these things you should reconsider travelling overseas after the 23rd week of pregnancy
For medical reasons, it's unlikely you'll score an exit row seat but you can request an aisle seat, which will make getting up to walk around much easier, and more comfortable for you. Walking around will assist with preventing blood clots caused by poor blood flow and other possible severe illness. Wearing compression stockings or support stockings is also recommended for long distance travel.
Click here for our latest Family Holiday - packages & deals
