Is Travelling By Flight Safe During Third Trimester?

Posted on Wed, 28 Oct 2015

Question: Hi Doctor, I am 20 weeks pregnant now. Single pregnancy and no complications so far. I am planning to travel from USA to XXXXXXX when I am 28 weeks pregnant. Then at 30 weeks I will be travelling in XXXXXXX from XXXXXXX to XXXXXXX in train which takes 48 hrs (2 days train journey). And from XXXXXXX I will be travelling back to USA when I am 32 weeks. Is it safe?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Rakhi Tayal (55 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Can travel if uncomplicated pregnancy.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for trusting us with your health concern.
Normally speaking travel is safe till 34 wks of pregnancy. Air travel is quite safe for most healthy pregnant women but each airline has a different regulation for pregnant fliers. It is considered safe up to 32-36 weeks of pregnancy for single baby and 32 weeks for twin pregnancy for short period travel (max 6-8 hrs).

You also need permission from your consulting obstetrician with clearance of airline and rule out other possible risk factors like Past History of Preterm labor, Vaginal bleeding, High BP, Diabetes, Anemia, Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) or Air Embolism, Problem with high altitude etc. Also proper immunization needs to be taken before traveling to XXXXXXX to avoid transmission of infectious agents. Please consult with your doctor regarding this.

Certain measures to be taken like:

1) In flight- You will get up and walk around at least once an hour and drink plenty of fluids.
2) Take some medications in your kit bag for pregnancy related problems like heartburn, skin complaints, constipation, vomiting etc. Along with you must take sanitary napkin for emergency purpose.
3) Check travel insurance policy for pregnancy before booking flight.

Please feel free to discuss further. I will be glad to answer the follow up queries that you have.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Rakhi Tayal.
For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL XXXX

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Rakhi Tayal (9 hours later)

Hi Dr. Tayal,
Thank u for the answer.
I dont have any of the risk factors mentioned in your answer. Just want to confirm again that it will be safe for air and train travel.
Also I would like to know is it okay to travel in train for 2 days straight as I will be 30 weeks pregnant at that time. Does the constant motion of the train harmful in anyway to me or the baby?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Rakhi Tayal (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
You can travel if there are no complications.

Detailed Answer:
Hello.
Thanks for writing again.
If there are no risk factors involved then you can safely travel at 30 weeks. Travel by train is safe. The constant motion does not harm the baby in any way.
Hope my answer is helpful.
Do accept my answer in case there are no further queries.
Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar