Flying While Pregnant: Safety Concerns & Considerations

Question
Dear Sir,

I have a question regarding my pregnant sister.  She was invited to a conference in Rome (she lives in New York State) this upcoming Spring and is considering giving it a pass because she is afraid of flying across the Atlantic too close to the due date.  As I understand it she would be gone for one week and arrive home approximately four weeks prior to her due date.  What is your opinion on the matter?  Do you think this is cutting it too close?  Will the airlines even let her onboard?  For what it is worth, this is her first child and she is 28 years old.  

Thank you for your time and I look forward to hearing back from you.

David Dewane


Answer
We usually restrict travel during the last months of pregnancy (from 36 weeks to 40 weeks) so that there is no risk of going into labor in a foreign land. However, there is no problem in flying at that time. She must walk around the cabin every hour as well as make sure she voids every hour. Drink plenty of fluids. As lon as she is not having any contractions, there is no problem. Often, if you are showing, the airlines may require a note from her obstetrician saying she is healthy enough to fly. As long as she is back by 36 weeks gestation, there should be no problem.