Pregnancy

What about traveling and/or air travel while pregnant?

In pregnancies complicated by certain medical or obstetrical conditions, long distance travel should be avoided. These conditions make emergencies unpredictable and therefore threaten safety of mother and fetus. If you have any question about your condition, ask your doctor at one of your visits.

In uncomplicated pregnancies women may travel with some restrictions. In general it is safe to fly up to about 36 weeks gestation. Long distance car travel should be stopped by about 28 weeks gestation.

The main problem in long distance travel for pregnant women is the increased risk for the formation of blood clots. Pregnant women have a higher risk for blood clots forming in the legs and pelvis simply due to the pregnancy. When people sit for long periods of time, the risk for blood clot formation increases. The combination of these two place pregnant women at high risk. When blood clots do form, they can float up to the heart and lungs and cause serious or fatal results.