AIR TRAVEL AND PREGNANCY


Most women can travel safely well into their pregnancy. It might be helpful to add one post here with links concerning this special category of travellers.


• Tell your health professional ( GP, midwife, obstetrician ), confirm your general health, normal pregnancy, and expected date of delivery. Any medical conditions which may complicate pregnancy ( anaemia, other illnesses, recent surgery ) ?


• Check with airline and insurance company about conditions for travelling while pregnant, and whether a letter confirming medical clearance is needed – before booking ! Airlines’ main concerns are with risk of labour developing, lack of appropriate care providers and facilities, with resulting disruption or diversion of flight.



The second trimester is the best time to travel – risk of miscarriage has decreased, and there is low risk of complications like pre-term labour. ( First Trimester: starts with the first day of your last menstrual period (LMP) and ends with the last day of the 13th week thereafter.
Second Trimester: starts at the beginning of the 14th week after your LMP and lasts through the 27th week of pregnancy.
Third Trimester: starts at the beginning of the 28th week after your LMP and ends with labour ).




• If there are risk factors for pre-term labour like multiple pregnancy, women should not fly after 32 weeks and in any case within 4 weeks of expected delivery date.



• As for any travel, destination, season, length of stay, planned activities, and medical facilities once there, are important.


• Vaccinations – avoid “ live “ vaccines ( such as for yellow fever, not required anyway for Philippines ; and MMR / mumps,measles, rubella ), although others ( “ inactivated “ viruses, bacteria and “ toxoids “ ) – the majority - are considered safe, but take advice.



• Antimalarials – may well not be necessary for most parts of the Philippines, but of the two drugs usually recommended, doxocycline should NOT be taken in pregnancy, and take advice about mefloquine ( probably safe in second and third trimesters ). Pregnant women do seem to be attractive to mosquitoes, so insect repellents are vital.


• Body scanners – no information to suggest that a pregnant woman should avoid security scans.



• Common sense precautions during flights become even more important if pregnant :-

book an aisle seat; drink plenty water ; do calf exercises and wear supportive stockings ( increased risk of thrombosis / “ DVT “ ) ; wear comfortable clothing and adjust seatbelt.


• Helpful links :-


http://www.nhs.uk/chq/Pages/927.aspx...oryID=54#close


http://www.nursingtimes.net/nursing-...069439.article


http://www.rcog.org.uk/files/rcog-co...0Pregnancy.pdf