Taking a plane while pregnant is actually safe if the condition of the pregnant woman and the womb is healthy. However, there are some dangers that need to be anticipated. Know what are the dangers of pregnant women on a plane and how to prevent them.
Airplane is one of the modes of transportation used to travel long distances. Despite the various risks that can occur, there is an assumption that traveling by plane can endanger pregnancy. This is certainly a concern for every pregnant woman.
The Risk of Pregnant Women Riding a Plane
Although classified as safe, there are several risks that can occur when pregnant women get on a plane, including:
Blood clots in veins and varicose veins
Long-haul flights make pregnant women have to sit for long periods of time and rarely change body position. This can increase the risk of blood clots in the veins (deep vein thrombosis) and varicose veins.
To reduce this risk, pregnant women can wear socks or compression stockings during the flight. Stockings or socks can keep blood circulation flowing.
Radiation exposure
Exposure to atmospheric radiation at certain altitudes can cause fetal harm. However, this can only happen if the flights are too frequent. Therefore, pregnant women do not need to worry if they only occasionally travel by plane.
Decreased oxygen in the blood
Decreased levels of oxygen in the blood can occur because during flight the air pressure decreases. However, this will not be harmful to the fetus as long as the pregnant woman has a healthy body and the aircraft does not fly at an altitude of more than 2,438 meters above sea level.
The right time for pregnant women to board a plane
In the first trimester of pregnancy, some pregnant women often experience nausea, vomiting, and fatigue. This of course can interfere with the trip. In addition, the risk of miscarriage is still quite high in the first three months of pregnancy, regardless of whether the pregnant woman is on a plane or not.
Also avoid getting on a plane when you are 36 weeks pregnant and over. Traveling at this gestational age can be very tiring and uncomfortable for pregnant women.
Pregnant women are also advised not to board a plane if they experience pregnancy complications, such as preeclampsia, premature rupture of membranes, or premature labor. Therefore, it is very important to do a pregnancy check before traveling by plane.
Well, it can be concluded that the right time to get on a plane while pregnant is when you are 13-28 weeks pregnant or the second trimester. At this gestational age, pregnant women are starting to feel comfortable with the condition of their pregnancy and the risk of miscarriage is relatively low.
Tips for Safely Riding a Plane While Pregnant
The first thing that pregnant women must do before traveling by plane is to consult a gynecologist. This should still be done even though pregnant women have a normal pregnancy.
In addition, pregnant women are also advised to check the rules of the airline that will be used regarding the policy of pregnant women to board a plane.
So, to keep pregnant women healthy and air travel comfortable, there are some safe tips that you can do, including:
- Consume plenty of fluids so that the body is not dehydrated.
- Wear clothes that are loose and feel comfortable.
- Choose a seat that provides plenty of room to move, such as an aisle chair.
- Use and fasten the seat belt under the stomach.
- Don't sit too long. As much as possible take a short walk in the hallway so that blood circulation becomes smooth. If that's not possible, stretch your ankles while you're sitting.
Well, as long as the pregnant woman is healthy and there are no complications in pregnancy, there is no need to worry too much about the dangers of pregnant women getting on a plane. However, pregnant women should also make sure to check with the doctor first that pregnant women's conditions are not dangerous to travel by plane, especially if the distance is far.
