Flying while pregnant-risks?
 

My wife and I are thinking of flying to San Francisco for our 1st Wedding Anniversary in late April 2000. She may be pregnant-we'll find out soon-I'm just wondering if there are certain risks associated with traveling pregnant, any tips or personal experience. Thanks.

Ask your doctor. Each woman is an individual, and each pregnancy is unique. Some of the women I work with have traveled until their sixth month, while others stop at the fourth. It just depeds on so many things!

I'm no doctor, but if she has just become pregnant I can't imagine any risks. Some of the biggest concerns in the first trimester would be the things she eats and drinks and taking vitamins. Do ask a doctor.

If you're still waiting to find out (good luck!), that means she won't be due until June or July, right? In a best-case scenario, she'll be allowed to fly up to week 36, so there's no reason to dismiss the trip out of hand. <BR>Now, climbing all those hills at seven months....

Ask a doc is best advice. However, I went to Shanghai while in my middle trimester. It was not difficult, however, I did have a bit of swelling in my ankles due to the humidity. I took along vitamins given by MD, and my spouse is an MD. The flight was unremarkable. I did not ask for strange foods!

I understand that there are two main risks. One, you'll have the kid in the air. This is why the airlines restrict travel after 36 weeks. Two, you'll be sitting a long time. This can cause circulatory problems. Solution: walk up and down the aisles. Have fun.

I'm sorry, I didn't notice the first time I responded that you mentioned traveling in April 2000, not in the near future. <BR> <BR>Not to scare you, because my situation is not real common, but my first baby came at 6 months of pregnancy, the second threatened to come early too, but was "kept in" till 37 wks. Both are fine, but the 6 monther was a suprise, I was having a fabulous pregnancy until then. We had wanted to take one more vacation which would have been at about 6 or 7 mo., but couldn't decide where to go so we stayed home. I hate to think that I could have given birth to a baby that was 14 wks. premature in the Caribbean. <BR> <BR>Now, all that said, most babies are born full term, and your wife's doctor should hopefully be able to tell if there are any reasons to worry. I hate to make people worry, but giving birth to a premature baby was the furthest thing from my mind. I worried about down's syndrome, cerebral palsy, etc., but never prematurity. Just something to consider. <BR> <BR>I do wish you the best of luck with everything.

Thanks for all your suggestions.

I'm amazed that you would even pose a question like this on the forum rather than asking a doctor!

Howard, <BR>It's not an either/or situation, & if you don't have anything constructive to say don't waste your time responding.

Welcome to parenthood--unsolicited advice and surly comments free! <BR>Any word on the next Collinson?

No new ones on the way yet.