Pregnancy and Flying

If you get pregnant, or discover you are pregnant, after booking a holiday, you may well have some doubts about whether taking that holiday will be a safe decision to make. It is true that there are conflicting opinions about how safe it is to fly while pregnant, but you certainly shouldn't go looking to cancel a flight just because you are going to have a baby. In fact, a holiday may be just what you need at this stage, and it may well even be the best time to take a holiday, depending on how far along you are.

If you are into your third trimester, or will be by the time the holiday comes around, then it is bad news. Airlines are fully within their rights to refuse to carry you if they are concerned about the risk of premature labor, and there are complications that can arise from flying the further along you are in your pregnancy. These potential problems are more pronounced the more pregnant you are - and in your third trimester they will be an issue.

That said, if you are in your first two trimesters of pregnancy, there is no reason whatsoever that the airline should stop you from flying, or that you should put any restriction on yourself which prevents you from traveling. You may have heard of a risk from increased radiation caused by flying, but this risk is absolutely negligible for most flyers. What this means in practice is that if you are going to be flying a couple of times, it will not make any difference at all - although obviously different rules apply if you are flying regularly on business or for any other reason.

If you have a persistent concern about the wisdom of flying in your condition, then ask a doctor. This is a good idea for two reasons. Firstly, it will set your mind at rest as they will be able to inform you of any reason why you hypothetically might be prevented from flying, and explain why this will not apply to you if that is the case. Secondly, a doctor can give you a signed letter for presentation at the airport if the airline are at all concerned that there may be a risk arising from you flying.

Flying during your second trimester is, in a lot of ways, the optimum time for you to go. By this time you will be over most of the initial inconveniences for pregnant women - the morning sickness, for one - and you will be a lot more equipped to fly comfortably, safely and happily. You will also be in the position where flying later will be less convenient - the late stages of pregnancy or the early ones of motherhood make flying a bad idea or a pain - and will be just about ready for a holiday after the grisly early stages. There is absolutely no reason at this stage why you should not get on a plane - and you may even find that the airline staff are extra helpful.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Toni_K_Kelly