Flying in 2Nd Trimester

Updated on September 26, 2010
C.S. asks from New River, AZ
37 answers

Hi ladies. I may need to travel during my second trimester. My doctor said it was okay, just not during my 3rd trimester. Is it necessary? Yes. We are planning on moving out of state and I need to look at houses, and it may not be an option to wait after the baby is born. So, does anyone have advice or experience. I am nervous that something may happen to the baby. I guess I'm just looking for some reassurance from other moms who have gone through it. Thanks.

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M.F.

answers from New York on

I flew to Italy for a "babymoon" with my hubby while pregnant with my first. Everything was fine. I did notice the baby took a while to adjust to the time change... she kicked at odd times like 2-4 am in the morning.
I wouldn't fly in the FIRST trimester IF you have had a threatened miscarriage or multiple miscarriages or if you are high risk. The second trimester is definitely the time to travel. I am now 16 weeks pregnant with my second and i will be flying for a short trip with my daughter in the next few weeks.

Good Luck!

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A.P.

answers from New York on

I flew while I was 6.5-7 months pregnant and I was fine. I didn't have any issues at all. Good luck! The stress of looking at houses and moving is probably worse for the baby than the flying to look at the houses. Stay relaxed, and good luck!

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K.C.

answers from New York on

My husband and I went to Florida before my 3rd trimester. I brought healthy crackers and sat close to the restroom--- Everything went well!

It was my first and I was so excited, yet, a tad nervous to fly !!! So many people asked me when I was due and talked to me about their children...and that helped!

I have flown 6x in the past 3 yrs and I saw expecting moms on each flight.

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A.P.

answers from New York on

I traveled all the time for work during my 3 pregnancies. I actually felt my first move for the first time on a flight. I recommend an aisle seat so you can get up and walk around for circulation and get to the bathroom without bugging your seat neighbors. It's totally safe.

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M.T.

answers from New York on

Hi C.,
I flew through my 2nd trimester with my last pregnancy for business travel. There is no evidence that flying causes harm to the unborn baby. It may be uncomfortable for you, and it's not recommended once you get to around 36 weeks - if you must fly before that in the third trimester, airlines will often require a note from your doctor
Good luck with baby, move, etc

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K.S.

answers from New York on

Hi C.,
Just got back from a family vaca in FL and I'm almost 23 weeks. If you get motion sick find out if there is anything you can take. Make sure to have a bottle of water, the air gets very dry in the plane. If you can, get an aisle seat so you don't have to climb over people to go to the bathroom. Depending on how long the flight is, get up and walk and stretch your legs, arms, back. If you need, use the power of the "belly"!

Best of luck on your house searching!

~Kristal

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A.G.

answers from New York on

I flew from NY to Florida at 5 1/2 months. No problems!!! HOWEVER< get a note from your doctor that it is safe for you to fly and have in your ticket envelope. Some airlines require a note from the dr to let you on the plane! Ali

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S.S.

answers from New York on

Dont be nervous! I am 25 weeks now and just got back from a family vacation in the Dominican Republic. I did not experience any discomfort, although my little man did kick a lot during the landing, and my baby is still going strong. As long as you are healthy and your doctor has cleared you for take-off then I would feel confident and enjoy your trip. Best of luck finding a new home and relocating!

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A.H.

answers from New York on

C.,
I have flown during all four of my pregnancies. You are going to be just fine. My sister in-law was a flight attendandt during her first pregnancy and she worked all the way up until 35 weeks. I always figured if she was ok going up and down a couple of times a day then I would be fine on the one trip I would take during my pregnancy.

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L.L.

answers from New York on

Hi C.,
I flew from NY to CA at 25 weeks pregnant and it wasn't harmful to the baby, just harmful to me! It was very uncomfortable and painful to sit for so long. Hopefully you're not taking that long of a flight. Just drink lots and lots of water and do not sit with your legs crossed to reduce the chance of blood clotting--that's what my dr. told me.

Good luck!
Lynsey

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K.H.

answers from New York on

It should not be a problem at all - I am a Consultant and was working out of town through my entire pregnancy. I flew to the client every Sunday night and home every Thursday night. I made sure I knew what to do if I had an emergency while out of town and fortunately didn't need to do that! The last time I flew was early January and the baby was born in mid-February (right on time - only about 5 days before his due date, 7 lbs 7 oz, 19 inches long). The regular flying didn't seem to have any impact at all.

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A.D.

answers from New York on

The second tri is usually when you are at your happiest and healthiest. Tiredness and any morning sickness are over, and you haven't become so huge you can't get around. So long as your blood pressure is good and the dr still gives you a clean bill of health, you should have no problems at all. If it's a long flight, you may want to pack extra snacks, since a lot of airlines have decreased their service. Happy house hunting!

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B.V.

answers from Utica on

I flew. It was fine. Wear comfy clothes and shoes, bring water (buy it after security) and snacks. Try to get an aisle seat so you can make sure you can get up and walk the aisle every hour to keep the circulation to your legs going. A suitcase on wheels is also good.

Have fun!

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E.F.

answers from New York on

I had to travel in my second trimester and it was not that bad. Request an aisle seat so you can easily get up to the bathroom and also just to walk arouind and stretch your legs. My doctor recommended that I keep my legs stretched out and tried to make circular motions with my feet for circulation issues in the legs.

It really was not much different that any other time flying except that I used the bathroom a lot more!

Good luck with the move.

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L.S.

answers from New York on

Hi C.
Congratulations on becoming a mom.
It is totally fine to fly in your 2nd trimester. I flew with both of my pregnancy a lot (our families live in California). Just drink plenty of water and get up and walk around. Bring snacks if it is a long flight.

Best of luck
L.

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D.R.

answers from New York on

i did it, as long as you are feeling good and your doc says its ok, i wouldnt worry. my doc said the most important things are to drink lots of water and to get up and walk every half hour, very important. good luck :)

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A.S.

answers from New York on

NO worries! I had a job with my first daughter that required a lot of travel. You will be completely fine, and it is very safe. My suggestion to you is to make sure that you bring plenty of snacks and water (buy it once you clear security). I don't know how far you are traveling, but it would probably be wise to request an aisle seat, just in case you need to use the restroom. And, it is always a good idea to walk around a little bit once they say it is safe, just to keep the circulation going (which is good for everyone). Hope this helps!

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M.K.

answers from New York on

It's totally safe. just don't cross your legs on the plane to allow for maximum blood circulation, and drink a lot of water.
The only reason you can't travel after week 34 is because of the risk of going into labor. otherwise there is no harm to baby and you.

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A.H.

answers from New York on

It's absolutely fine. There is nothing about a flight that would hurt a baby. The only reason that flights during the 1st and 3rd trimester is not recommended (and not allowed by many airlines during the last two months) is the possibility of a medical emergency (i.e. miscarriage in the 1st tri, early labor in the 3rd tri) enroute. If it is a long flight, more than 6 hours, you should wear compression or support stockings (found at most pharmacies) to prevent blood clots). You should always make sure to keep hydrated and walk around alot - I got plenty of exercise just walking to and from the toilet, since I was drinking so much!!! I would definitely get an aisle seat for that reason.

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M.L.

answers from New York on

I agree with some of the advise that 2nd trimester is the best time to travel. I made an international trip to Europe during 5-6 month and was feeling fine. Although I did get sick for one entire day from not drinking enough water. So make sure you keep yourself hydrated the whole time and worry about where to find the bathroom later.

Good luck with the trip.

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B.C.

answers from New York on

Hi. We went on vacation to Egypt (a long trip) when I was 5 months pregnant. Everything was fine. As long as yo're feeling fine, the second trimester is actually the best time to travel. During the first, the pregnancy is still somewhat uncertain (risk of miscarriage etc) and during the third, you're really too close to due date to get far away from home. But second trimester is fine. So nothing to worry about, you'll be just fine. Good luck.

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C.T.

answers from New York on

I flew for work during my 32nd week of pregnancy with my daughter. I stopped after that. DD was born on time and was/is in good health. The flying did not seem to have any effect on her.

My suggestions would include:
- Be to be sure you have a doctor's note in case a concerned flight attendent (at the desk or elsewhere) questions your ability to fly.
- Drink plenty of water the day/night before and stay hydrated during the flight.
- Get an aisle seat so you can get up and down easily and often. It helped me tremendously to be able to just walk up and down the aisle even during the short 1 hr flight I was making.
- Eat lightly and avoid anything too salty.
- When sitting, don't sit still. Stretch and flex. This includes your hands, wrists, arms, shoulders, toes, ankles. Just move everything you can as often as you can to keep the blood circulating.

Flying is as safe as anything else as long as you have Doc's permission.

Good luck house hunting!!
~C.

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F.C.

answers from New York on

You should be totally fine in 2nd trimester. How long is the flight? Your concerns are to keep streching your legs and walking or flex + point toes to keep blood flowing. Sitting still for a long time is the main thing. And also, keep hydrated and fed. Bring a big bottle of water and bag o snacks.

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R.M.

answers from New York on

Hi C.
Don't worry about flying while pregnant.I flew a couple of times during my pregnancy, the last time at about 7 1/2 months and the biggest issue I had was having to get up a lot to use the
restroom! My only advice would be to request an aisle seat. /ood luck!

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S.K.

answers from Albany on

As long as you haven't been having any problems that might make your pregnancy sensitive, you and the baby should both be fine. I wouldn't recommend flying in the 9th month, though. You will be at your most uncomfortable and babies do sometimes come early.
Good luck to you.

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M.K.

answers from New York on

Flying should be fine. Make sure you move around as much as possible and keep yourself hydrated. Get a letter of clearance from your dr incase the airline asks for it at check in.
I flew when I was 6 mos along with my daughter and was perfectly fine, I did ask for a private security check which allowed them to open all my bags, but I didn't have to wait on the long line. My dr also provided me with the name and number of a local dr and the nearest hospital incase anything happened while I was away from home.

Good luck with the trip, pregnancy and move.

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B.C.

answers from New York on

I flew to Florida one month before my son was born! I was totally fine. My OB says some airlines ask you for a letter of clearance from you doctor so he wrote me one but I ended up not needing it.

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L.H.

answers from Albany on

Hi C.,
I flew across country in my 2nd trimester and all was fine except that I normally get a bit nauseas if I read... so I would take a dramamine. That's a no-no when pregnant so I tried ginger and peppermint to help. When we hit some turbulance during the landing, I almost lost it. So my advise if you do tend to get airsick - do some research ahead of time for some better natural methods to fend it off. Also if you use the restroom alot you may want an outside seat and it is recommended to get up and walk a bit.

Good Luck.

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F.A.

answers from New York on

No need to worry. I flew in both my pregnancies, the latest at 32 weeks. No problems at all and both babies now very healthy children! The other advice to move about regularly and keep hydrated is good.

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J.Y.

answers from New York on

How long is your flight? You might want to get an isle seat so you can get up and stretch your legs, and to use to the bathroom. I flew to Stockholm, Sweden from NJ(8hr flight) during my 2nd trimester and I (and the baby) was fine.

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C.O.

answers from New York on

With my first son, i traveled all through my pregnancy for work. I stopped getting on the plane around 32 weeks. Everything was good.
This last time (my second will be one month tomorrow) i traveled less due to my work requirements, but i took a vacation at 34 weeks and was away on a remote island for 8 days. My OB said there was no reason to be concerned, she said i could still have flown at that point. I was not high risk, and if you are having a normal pregnancy, the changes in pressure and altitude don't pose any threat.
Besides, if you are going to move before you give birth, you'll have to do it again anyway.
Don't stress! You'll have enough to worry about once the baby is born!
Good luck!

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Y.B.

answers from New York on

I flew during my 2nd trimester on an 11 hr flight. You'll be fine. Definitely walk around a lot to keep your circulation going & ask your doctor if you need to wear support stockings to prevent blood clots. She made me wear those.

Good luck & enjoy!

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W.O.

answers from New York on

I flew from NY to Denver, CO in my 2nd trimester. I was nervous about it as well, even though I had my MD's ok. I had read something about not being stationary for too long on a flight, so I made sure I walked around the aisles a couple times an hour. I kept putting my hands on my belly to reassure myself that everything was ok, but I felt totally fine the whole flight and afterwards. So alot of anxiety for nothing. Just bring plenty of water and reading materials to take your mind off of it, but in the end it was really nothing to worry about. Good luck house hunting.

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A.J.

answers from New York on

We moved to Switzerland when I was 6 months pregnant with my daughter and everything was fine.My doctor said it was safe to fly until 32 weeks, but I thought that would be cutting a little close. You should be fine. If it's a long flight just make sure you get up and walk around a bit. Good luck house hunting and with the new baby!!

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J.P.

answers from Buffalo on

Hi C.,
I flew when I was pregnant with my first son from NY to GA for my baby shower. I was in my 3 trimester (flew in March, baby came in May) and had no problems at all. I will be flying again this Thanksgiving from WNY to GA and I'm due the beginning of January. My Dr. too said there should be no issues here. As long as you've had a normal pregnancy and are healthy, everything should be just fine. Just make sure you have someone to lug heavy luggage if you have to do more than drag it. Other than that...good luck house hunting!!
J.

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J.B.

answers from New York on

I flew in my 2nd trimester at 20 weeks and I was perfectly fine. In my opinion thats the best time to fly. I was over the morning sickness and feeling good by then. Many women fly during their pregnancy. You'll be fine. Just remember to drink a lot of water and move around once in awhile if its a long flight.
Good luck house hunting!

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R.K.

answers from Los Angeles on

i wouldnt recommend it. so small space in the airplanes and so many people expose you and your unborn baby to so many viruses. i got a virus right after i flew on an airplane and the virus is so rare in the united states that most likely somebody who was flying on the airplane had it and spread it to me. you never know what type of sickness people have on the airplanes. you can never be too careful when you have an innocent baby growing in your belly.

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