Flying when pregnant
Emily Cater
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If you're planning a holiday with a bump on board, make sure you know whether it's safe to fly before you book. From how late you can travel to whether you'll need a 'fit to fly' certificate, you'll find all the expert advice on flying during pregnancy right here.
Is it safe to fly during pregnancy?
When and whether you should fly during your pregnancy really depends on the answers to these four questions:
- Do you feel well enough to travel?
- Is your pregnancy straightforward ie without complications?
- How many weeks pregnant are you?
- Are you carrying twins or multiple babies?
Generally speaking, the advice given to pregnant women is that it is safe to fly – meaning that it won't do any harm to your baby – if you're feeling well and are in the first two trimesters of a healthy pregnancy.
Of course, if you've been flattened by morning sickness the last thing you may wish to do is sit on a jumbo jet with the risk of turbulence and delays. A staycation may well be a better option if pregnancy is taking its toll on you.
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If you're fit and well there's nothing stopping you from booking a holiday abroad before the baby comes along.
Is it safe to fly while pregnant during the coronavirus pandemic?
According to Travel Health Pro, all pregnant women are considered to be clinically vulnerable to illness from COVID-19. This is because pregnant women can sometimes be more at risk from viruses like flu.
Pregnant women suffering from a serious heart condition are considered to be clinically extremely vulnerable, meanwhile, women who are more than 28 weeks pregnant are particularly advised to follow the current coronavirus-related pregnancy NHS advice.
Although there are no hard and fast rules when it comes to flying while pregnant during the pandemic, the NHS advises mums-to-be to stay at home as much as possible and follow the advice on social distancing, such as staying at least 2 metres (3 steps) away from other people.
During the ongoing pandemic however, advice for anyone planning to travel is much the same, with the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office currently advising British nationals against all but essential international travel.
If you must fly, do check the latest advice on your destination too, since travel to some countries and territories is currently exempted, and new restrictions are often being announced.
How many weeks pregnant can I fly?
If you're pregnant with one baby, you can usually fly right up until you're 36 weeks pregnant.
According to the NHS Fit For Travel website, you can't fly 'after the 36th week of pregnancy or 32nd week for multiple pregnancy.'
Ryanair echoes this advice stating:
'For an uncomplicated single pregnancy, travel is not permitted beyond the end of the 36th week of pregnancy.'
The same goes for British Airways which states:
'For your and your baby’s safety you cannot fly after the end of the 36th week if you are pregnant with one baby.'
However, other airlines are a little more cautious.
EasyJet states:
'You can travel up to the end of the 35th week for single pregnancies.'
Jet2 is equally cautious:
'We are not able to carry expectant mothers after the end of the 35th week of pregnancy in the case of a single pregnancy.'
Remember that this means you'll need to be less than 36 weeks pregnant on your return trip!
How many weeks pregnant can I fly with twins?
As above, if you're carrying more than one baby you'll need to check with your airline regarding its policy before you fly.
As a rule, if you're pregnant with more than one baby you can't fly after the 32nd week of pregnancy.
This is echoed by British Airways, Ryanair and easyJet.
TUI also adheres to this:
'For multiple pregnancies, most airlines – TUI Airways included – will carry expectant mothers up to 32 weeks, so you’ll need to have completed the return leg of your journey by the end of that week.'
Jet2 will allow mums pregnant with more than one baby an extra week to fly, stating:
'We are not able to carry expectant mothers after the end of the 33rd week of pregnancy in the case of multiple pregnancies (for example twins).'
Before you book a flight
Before you book a holiday it's a good idea to seek medical advice and mention it to your GP or midwife, just to double-check they're happy with you travelling.
If you're planning a pregnancy holiday, you may want to aim for the second trimester (13 to 27 weeks). This is usually the time when pregnancy symptoms such as sickness and heartburn ease up a bit, so you'll be able to make the best of your holiday.
Check that your travel insurance covers you during your whole trip – and that it covers you being pregnant. If you experience complications or go into labour while you're abroad, and you don't have the right cover, you could face a whopping bill!
Make sure that you know how many weeks you'll be when you jet off and jet back, too.
You may need a fit to fly certificate to cover your return journey, even if you don't need one for the outbound flight.
When do I need a 'fit to fly' certificate?
Ryanair, amongst other airlines, asks mums-to-be to carry a fit to fly letter from 28 weeks' pregnant and even includes a template you can download and get them to fill in.
British Airways also recommends that you get a letter from your doctor or midwife which includes:
- whether your pregnancy is single or multiple (ie whether or not you're having twins or triplets)
- your expected due date
- confirming there are no complications with your pregnancy
If you're less than 28 weeks but are carrying particularly big, it's a good idea to take one with you anyway, just to avoid any issues with the airline.
If your airline requires you to have a 'fit to fly' certificate – a letter stating how many weeks' pregnant you are and that you're well enough to travel – you can usually get this from your GP.
Don't leave it too last minute though, as busy surgeries can need at least a week's notice to get this ready for you.
You will also have to pay for the letter. This can range from £20-35 depending on your practice.
Be sure to take your pregnancy/maternity notes when you travel too, as well as any medication you've been prescribed and a prescription note from your doctor.
When is it not safe to fly during pregnancy?
According to the Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists (RCOG) if any of the following apply, you may be advised not to fly:
- You are at increased risk of going into labour before your due date.
- You have severe pregnancy anaemia. This is when the level of red blood cells in your blood is lower than normal.
- You have sickle cell disease (a condition which affects red blood cells) and you have recently had a sickle crisis.
- You have recently had significant vaginal bleeding.
- You have a serious condition affecting your lungs or heart that makes it very difficult for you to breathe.
Of course, if you suffer from anything non-pregnancy related such as an infectious disease (chickenpox), a middle ear infection or broken bone, this may also mean you can't fly.
You may also want to avoid flying, and certainly long flights, if you're in your first trimester and suffering from morning sickness, as any turbulence may make you feel worse.
This is regardless of what stage you're at or how healthy your pregnancy is.
Can flying harm my baby?
It's understandable to question whether air travel could pose any risk to your unborn baby but there's no evidence to suggest this is the case.
Here's what RCOG says:
'If your pregnancy is straightforward, flying is not harmful for you or your baby.
'If you have a straightforward pregnancy and are healthy, there is no evidence that the changes in air pressure and/or the decrease in humidity have a harmful effect on you or your baby.
'There is no evidence that flying will cause miscarriage, early labour or your waters to break.'
'Anyone who flies is exposed to a slight increase in radiation. Occasional flights are not considered to present a risk to you or your baby.'
If you need to fly regularly during your pregnancy, talk to your GP or midwife.
Some mums-to-be have questioned the safety aspects of airport scanners, according to tour operator, TUI. Here's how it addresses the concern on its website:
'Airport scanners use a low-frequency electromagnetic field and are considered safe for everybody, including pregnant women.
'It’s worth bearing in mind that pregnant women who work airside pass through these scanners every day.'
RCOG agrees that it's safe to go through normal security checks before flying. It says:
'This is not considered to be a risk to you or your baby.'
How to stay healthy on an aeroplane
When you're pregnant, you're at a higher risk of getting deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which can be life threatening.
To reduce your chances of this it's important to move around the cabin and take other measures, especially if your flight is four hours or longer. RCOG recommends doing the following:
- wear loose clothing and comfortable shoes
- try to get an aisle seat and take regular walks around the plane
- do in-seat exercises every 30 minutes or so – the airline should give you information on these
- have cups of water at regular intervals throughout your flight
- cut down on drinks that contain alcohol or caffeine (coffee, fizzy drinks)
- wear graduated elastic compression stockings – your midwife or doctor will need to provide the correct size and type for you as they are different from standard flight socks.
- take care to ensure you'll be as comfy as possible on the flight - pack a travel pillow or blanket if it'll help.
If you're at increased risk of DVT but are considered safe to fly, you may need heparin injections, too. Talk to your GP or midwife about this before travelling.
Make sure you wear your seatbelt, too.
RCOG advises that you 'ensure the strap of your seatbelt is reasonably tightly fastened across the top of your thighs and then under your bump. Ask the cabin crew if you need a seatbelt extension.'
Don't forget to ask for help if you need it too – someone will always be willing to assist you with lifting your luggage into the overhead compartment.
Could I give birth on an aeroplane?
We've probably all read a story about a woman giving birth at 30,000 feet but in actual fact, the chances of going into labour mid-flight are fairly slim – especially if you've taken the advice of your midwife or GP about when and whether to fly.
Because the chance increases later on in your pregnancy, it's not a good idea to try to fly later than the recommended cut off point (see above).
After all, there's no guarantee that there will be someone on board who's able to help with delivery so that you can give birth safely. The flight may also need to be diverted to get help for you.
British Airways confirms that it hasn't had any babies born on board in recent years while Virgin Atlantic reveals it happened a couple of times, but not since 2004.
And according to reports, if your baby is born on an aeroplane they won't get free flights for life. Shame!
What to Expect When You're Expecting by Heidi Murkoff is a must-read book for all expectant parents. See more details here at Amazon.
You can also buy it here at Waterstones.
Are you planning a getaway but are worried about flying while pregnant? Chat to other mums about their experiences in our forum below:
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