Can I travel by plane during pregnancy?
Generally speaking, air travel does not pose any danger to the mother or the fetus. However, before traveling, you should ask your obstetrician about the main warning signs to look out for.
Airlines generally advise against pregnant women traveling in the last trimester of pregnancy and in some cases, a medical authorization for boarding may be required.
So that there are no doubts, we present the main clarifications from the main Portuguese airline, TAP.
I'm pregnant, until when can I fly?
With TAP, you can travel by plane during pregnancy until:
- 36 weeks of gestation or up to 4 weeks before the expected date of delivery for an uncomplicated pregnancy;
- 32 weeks pregnant or pregnant with twins, triplets, etc., for a pregnancy without complications.
In both cases, expectant mothers must bring a medical certificate – from 28 weeks onwards – attesting that their pregnancy has no complications and the length of the gestation. In this document, the doctor must also certify that the pregnancy does not prevent the mother from travelling by plane.
What are the main recommendations?
To ensure you travel safely, TAP provides us with some practical advice that will help you feel more comfortable throughout your trip.
Before the flight:
- Travel to the airport in a timely manner to complete all boarding and travel procedures smoothly;
- Request an aisle seat to make it easier to go to the toilet and for short walks, particularly on longer journeys.
During the flight:
- The use of a seat belt is mandatory and must be placed below the abdomen in the pelvic region so as not to compress the uterus;
- It is not recommended to consume carbonated drinks and legumes, before or during the flight, as they aggravate the distension of gases in the intestines, which can cause discomfort during the flight;
- The cabin environment is drier than on land, so pregnant women should drink water frequently during the trip;
- To reduce the risk of venous thrombosis, particularly on trips lasting more than 3 hours, pregnant women should do exercises in place, moving their lower limbs;
- It is not recommended to travel within 7 days after giving birth. The same applies to newborns.
After the flight:
- If you travel across more than 3 time zones during your flight, try to adapt your body to the local rhythm by eating at the time of your destination, exposing yourself to sunlight and doing moderate exercise, such as short walks. This will help your internal clock to adjust more quickly;
- Jet lag medications are not recommended during pregnancy.