RCOG releases ‘pregnant and safe’ flying guide

Health & Leisure
Monday, 09 February 2015
The safest time to fly during pregnancy is before 37 weeks and before 32 weeks if you are carrying twins, new patient information published by the UK’s Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) says.

The updated information also provides advice on possible side effects of flying, when not to fly and what to take on board the flight.

It states that for a straightforward pregnancy, flying is not harmful for the mother or her baby. The safest time to fly is before 37 weeks, as after this a woman could go into labour at any time. For women carrying uncomplicated twins, the safest time to fly is before 32 weeks. However, many airlines do not allow women to fly even earlier than this and it is important for women to check with each airline used.

Some pregnant women may experience discomfort during flying, states the information. For example, swelling of their legs, pregnancy sickness, nasal congestion and problems with their ears.

Long haul flights increase the risk of developing a Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT), a blood clot that forms in the leg or pelvis due to sitting for a prolonged length of time. Pregnancy increases this risk further. This patient information discusses ways to minimise the risk of a DVT on flights over four hours. The guidance recommends that women wear loose clothing and comfortable shoes, take regular walks around the plane, do in-seat exercises every 30 minutes, have regular cups of water, cut down on drinks containing alcohol or caffeine and wear graduated elastic compression stockings.

There may be circumstances when it may be advisable not to fly, states the guidance. For example if a woman has an increased risk of going into labour before her due date, has severe anaemia, sickle cell disease, has recently had significant vaginal bleeding or a serious condition affecting her lungs or heart.

Philippa Marsden, chair of the RCOG’s Patient Information Committee said: “This revised information is for pregnant women thinking about travelling by air for both short and long haul.

“To help decide whether or not to fly, women should think about how many weeks pregnant they will be, what facilities are available at their destination and whether it will increase their risk of medical problems. It is important to discuss any health issues or pregnancy complications with a midwife or doctor before the flight.”

Cath Broderick, chair of the RCOG Women’s Network, a lay group of women who inform the College about issues affecting women’s health added: “Many women seek advice about the safety of flying when pregnant and this patient-friendly guidance offers sensible recommendations, which had direct input from women when developing it.”
Visit the patient section of the RCOG website here <https://www.rcog.org.uk/en/patients/patient-leaflets/> for more information.