Precautions for pregnant women when flying Precautions for pregnant women when flying

It is very common for pregnant women to fly, but it is generally not recommended for pregnant women over 36 weeks to fly, especially for long-distance flights. In case of an emergency, you need to give birth on the plane. However, due to the lack of medical conditions on the plane, giving birth on the plane is very dangerous. So what precautions should pregnant women take when flying? What are the regulations for pregnant women to fly?

Precautions for pregnant women when flying

If you are a pregnant mother and have already prepared the formalities for boarding the plane and are just waiting to depart, it is recommended that you first understand the precautions for pregnant women to take the plane before boarding the plane. Each of the following points is very important, and you must not be careless for the sake of your own and your baby's health!

1. Pregnant women must be accompanied by someone when flying. It is best to carry your recent medical examination report with you to help the staff better respond to sudden situations.

2. When buying air tickets, pregnant women should choose seats close to the aisle to facilitate getting up and moving around. In addition to going to the toilet, it is best to walk around a few times every 15 minutes on the plane to promote blood circulation and prevent the occurrence of leg varicose veins.

3. Pregnant women tend to feel hungry easily. You can first order meals that suit your taste from the staff, or prepare some food yourself to avoid the food on the plane not being to your liking.

4. Pregnant women should wear loose and soft clothes and keep warm when flying. Put a small pillow behind your back to cushion the bumps. Do not fasten the seat belt on the abdomen, but just below the abdomen and above the thighs.

5. Wear a pair of comfortable long cotton socks (remember not to tie them tightly around your legs) during the flight to help maintain smooth blood circulation and relieve the pain caused by swelling. If there is an empty seat next to you, it will be even better. After obtaining the consent of the passengers sitting next to you and the waiter, you can put your feet on it for more comfort.

5. If an obstetric emergency occurs during the journey, such as unexplained abdominal pain, vaginal bleeding, uterine contractions, large amounts of watery fluid from the vagina (ruptured amniotic membrane), vaginal discharge of tissue or blood clots, you should report it to the flight attendant in a timely manner and ask for help.

Regulations for pregnant women flying

Some major airlines in China stipulate that pregnant women over 36 weeks of pregnancy are not allowed to board the plane, and pregnant women over 32 weeks of pregnancy generally need a hospital diagnosis statement before they can board the plane. What proof do pregnant women need to take a plane? For those who are 32-36 weeks pregnant, a doctor at or above the municipal level needs to issue a certificate of fitness for flight 72 hours before boarding. Without a certificate, you cannot board the plane even if you have purchased a ticket. In addition, if you are within 36 weeks of pregnancy, but your belly is too big, you may be rejected during security checks, so it is best to understand the relevant matters in advance. Pregnant women within 32 weeks of pregnancy generally do not need proof to board the plane under normal circumstances. They only need to communicate with the staff about how many weeks they have been pregnant when checking in. Afterwards, the airport doctor may help you do a simple examination, and you can board the plane normally after stamping it.

It is recommended that pregnant mothers contact their prenatal doctor before planning to travel by plane, let the doctor know your entire travel plan first, and then ask him for advice. In addition, you can also ask the doctor what medicines you can carry and give you some information about the medical and health conditions of the travel destination. It should be noted that each airline has different regulations for pregnant women to take flights. Some airlines allow you to take a flight when you are 4-8 weeks pregnant as long as there is a doctor's certificate, but if the doctor does not guarantee it, the airline has the right to refuse you to take the flight. The most important thing for pregnant women before traveling is to arrange ample preparation time, so that it is not easy to delay the trip and enjoy a more pleasant and relaxing journey.

Tips for pregnant women when flying

(1) Before boarding the plane, expectant mothers should ensure adequate sleep, stabilize their emotions, and travel in a good mental state. They should eat less food that easily causes gastrointestinal bloating and avoid abdominal distension or even vomiting, which is more likely to occur when the air pressure changes at high altitudes.

(2) Choose a seat close to the aisle to make it easier for pregnant women to get up and move around.

(3) Walk around every hour on the plane to keep blood circulation in your lower limbs. You can also do some simple exercises regularly, such as moving your limbs and rotating your ankles.

(4) Pregnant women tend to feel hungry easily, so prepare more food in advance.

(5) Wear loose, soft clothes and keep warm. Put a small pillow behind your back to cushion the bumps. Do not fasten the seat belt around your abdomen. Fasten it below the abdomen and above the thighs.

(6) Pregnant women have special ways to fasten their seat belts. The way pregnant women fasten their seat belts on an airplane must be different from that of ordinary people. Generally speaking, pregnant women must not be careless when wearing seat belts. First, they must adjust the waist belt and place it below the bulging abdomen, and never place it above. This can reduce the chance of the aircraft bumping and hitting the abdomen. If there is a shoulder belt, wear it at the same time. It can be slightly loose on the abdomen and slightly tight on the shoulders.

Which pregnant women should not fly?

Pregnant women cannot just fly whenever they want! There are certain restrictions on pregnant women flying according to the different stages of pregnancy. Which pregnant women are not suitable for flying? Generally speaking, pregnant women who are less than 8 months (32 weeks) pregnant will be transported as ordinary passengers unless they are diagnosed by a doctor as unfit to fly. Pregnant women who are more than 8 months (32 weeks) pregnant but less than 35 weeks pregnant should apply for medical permission before boarding.

1. Pregnant women have a history of spontaneous abortion, premature birth, cervical incompetence, lower extremity venous thrombosis; threatened abortion, ectopic pregnancy, congenital uterine abnormalities or abnormal placental position, severe early pregnancy reaction;

2. Multiple births; threatened premature birth; medical diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, severe anemia, asthma, epilepsy, phlebitis, motion sickness, etc.

3. Pregnant women who conceive through assisted reproductive technology such as artificial insemination and in vitro fertilization should not take a plane to avoid accidents because the fetus is too precious.

4. If the due date is approaching but the exact date cannot be determined, or the due date is within 4 weeks (inclusive), or if you are known to be having multiple births or are expected to have delivery complications, it is best not to take a plane.