Advice for Travelling While Pregnant

While many of us would be happy to just put up our feet and relax at home while pregnant, some of us have no option but to travel by plane either for work or personal reasons. The challenge for pregnant women when it comes to flying is that it often means having to take extra precautions. But while travelling when pregnant can be stressful, it’s entirely possible to do – so long as you’ve got clearance from your medical doctor and follow these tips.

Is it safe to travel while pregnant?

In general, travelling by air – even on long-haul flights – is safe for most pregnant mothers up to a certain point. Most airlines don’t accept expectant travellers after week 36 of their pregnancy. Airlines such as SilkAir and Jetstar Asia also require expectant mothers to present a medical certificate if they’re travelling beyond week 28 of pregnancy.

The best time to travel by plane when pregnant is during your second trimester (weeks 13-28). This is because during the second trimester your symptoms of morning sickness and fatigue are usually gone, making travel more comfortable. It’s also the time of pregnancy where your risk of miscarriage is reduced.

It’s always recommended to visit your doctor prior to any travel as an extra safety precaution. They’ll offer you any advice or helpful strategies for travelling while pregnant.

What you need before boarding

Expectant mothers should inform their gynaecologist of their travel plans and receive medical guidance as needed. For most airlines, including Singapore Airlines, pregnant travellers must present a medical certificate stating their fitness to travel, the number of weeks of pregnancy, and the estimated date of delivery between 9 and 36 weeks of pregnancy. Medical certificates must be dated within 10 days of the first flight after 28 weeks of pregnancy and presented at check-in.

Along with a medical certificate, pregnant travellers should also purchase travel insurance in case of a medical emergency. This ensures both you and your baby are protected while you’re travelling.

Prior to boarding your flight, you should also make sure you’ve packed the following to help your travel be more comfortable:

• Compression stockings – Wearing compression stockings while flying helps to prevent blood clots and Deep Vein Thrombosis, and reduces the risk of an elevated heart rate in both mother and baby.
• Medication for gas and bloating – Expectant mothers often experience intestinal gas, and the high altitude of flying can make it worse. Taking gas relief medication will help reduce any pain from gas and bloating, making you feel more comfortable.
• Nausea medication – Being pregnant can make turbulence feel worse. Nausea medication will soothe these symptoms, especially if you’re prone to motion sickness.

You should also always be familiar with the medical facilities in the area you’re travelling to. This will make for quick access to a doctor or hospital in case of an emergency.

Onboard your flight

While you shouldn’t experience any unusual symptoms while flying when pregnant, there are some things you can do to make your flight more comfortable. This includes avoiding any foods that may disagree with you or cause a reaction like gas and bloating. Beans, leafy vegetables, sodas, caffeine, and dairy products often cause bloating, so it’s best to stay away from these.

During your flight, you should get up and move around, especially if it’s a long-haul flight. Walk up and down the aisle, stand up and stretch, and avoid crossing your legs or sitting in the same position for extended periods of time. Try to move around for 15 minutes every hour. When securing your seatbelt, never wear it above or across your belly; instead, keep it low and snug on your hip bones.

The most important thing for pregnant mothers to do while travelling is to stay hydrated. You should be drinking around 200ml of water for every hour you’re in the air to stay hydrated and prevent headaches, fatigue, and nausea.

What to avoid

For pregnant women, strenuous activities while travelling should always be avoided, including long hikes or mountain climbing, scuba diving, or riding on scooters. It’s also advised to stay away from hot springs, steam baths, and saunas, as spending too much time in a hot temperature may not be good for your unborn baby. Your doctor may also advise against flying at a high altitude of above 12,000 feet and to avoid travelling to any destinations experiencing an active health epidemic or natural disaster.

If you’re planning on travelling internationally, you might want to reconsider if:

• You’re expecting more than 1 baby
• You’re experiencing any vaginal bleeding or you’re at a heightened risk of miscarriage
• You’re experiencing placental abnormalities
• You’re in your third trimester and at risk of preterm delivery
• You haven’t been cleared by your doctor or medical professional to travel

Planning your perfect getaway

Travelling while pregnant, whether it’s for work or just because you want a little rest and relaxation, is perfectly safe for most women. If you have the required medical clearance from your doctor, you’re not experiencing any complications and aren’t beyond the 36-week mark, you can fly locally or internationally relatively easily.

But you should always be wary of your and your unborn baby’s health and safety. Take precautions by seeking medical advice, avoiding any foods or activities that may worsen pregnancy symptoms, and to simply focus on relaxing and enjoying your time away.

If you’re travelling with kids as well, you may not like the idea of travelling too far or for too long. To make the most of your vacation time while keeping it family-friendly, check out our 25 Hassle-Free Getaways Under 7 Days For Parents & Kids!

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