Can You Fly During First Trimester

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You have a big trip planned and now you discover that you are pregnant. While this may be a great time to get away and enjoy a vacation for two before baby makes three, you may be wondering, â€œcan you fly during first trimester pregnancies?â€ The good news is that it is generally safe to fly during any stage of pregnancy, as long as you do not suffer from any complications such as clotting disorders, anemia or a risk of miscarriage.

The question can you fly during first trimester pregnancies usually stems from concerns regarding air pressure changes. Most medical experts agree that this really is not a problem since airplane cabins are specially pressurized to keep passengers comfortable regardless of the altitude being travelled.

Of course there are a few things to keep in mind when travelling pregnant:

Always be sure to fasten your seat belt across your thighs (not over your stomach) when travelling to prevent injury to you or the baby you are carrying.
Drink plenty of liquids to keep from getting dehydrated. This will keep both nausea and cramping at bay.
Get up and walk around every half hour or so. If that is not possible, be sure to stretch and flex your legs several times every hour to keep blood circulation high to prevent clotting in the legs.
Aisle seats offer more leg room so be sure to request one for comfortâ€™s sake.
Always consult your physician before leaving on any trip; especially one that requires air travel.

Travelling by air is generally considered safe throughout a womanâ€™s pregnancy, but most health care providers urge women to do the bulk of their air travel during the 18-24 week of pregnancy when the risk of miscarriage and premature labor are at their lowest point.