To fly or not to fly? This question concerns all pregnant women who are thinking about a foreign vacation or business trip. About the most favorable periods for travel, about the requirements of airlines for pregnant women and about how to make the flight as comfortable as possible for the expectant mother - in our material.
When planning a trip, take into account your state of health and the trimester of pregnancy. From 1 to 13 weeks, for example, it is recommended to refrain from flights. But, if you really need to, go on a trip in the 7th or 8th week. This period in the first trimester is considered the safest.
The second trimester (14-27 weeks) is the most favorable for flights. But at the same time, some experts do not advise traveling from 18 to 22 weeks due to the possible risk of late miscarriage. But if there are no complications, you can plan a vacation. The certificate from the doctor must contain the following information:
Traveling during the third trimester (from 28 to 40 weeks) is not so easy. Most airlines allow late-term women to get on the plane only if they have an appropriate certificate from a doctor, and some carriers also ask for a document from the airline's medical center.
They are also asked to fill out a document confirming that the pregnant woman is aware of all the risks and that the airline is not responsible for possible consequences.
Before buying a ticket, read the rules of the airline with which you plan to fly. Each carrier has its own requirements and conditions.
Wizz Air. With a Hungarian low-cost carrier, for example, you can fly up to the 34th week of pregnancy (up to 32 weeks in the case of a multiple pregnancy).
If the pregnancy period is more than 28 weeks, a medical certificate must be provided. Wizz Air accepts a document from a doctor issued no earlier than 6 days before the departure date.
Ryanair. It is not necessary to make a reference until the 28th week. If the term is longer, it is necessary to show a document from a doctor (signed no more than two weeks before the flight).
With Ryanair, pregnant women can travel up to the end of the 36th week (pregnant with twins or triplets - until the end of the 32nd).
Turkish Airlines.
Passengers who have not reached the 28th week of pregnancy can travel without a medical certificate. Those expecting one child and planning a flight between the beginning of the 28th and the end of the 35th week of pregnancy must provide a certificate confirming the absence of contraindications. Pregnant women with twins or triplets who plan to fly between the beginning of the 28th and the end of the 31st week of pregnancy must show the same certificate.
Regardless of medical indications, passengers who are 36 weeks or more pregnant with one child, as well as expecting two or more children and are 32 weeks or more pregnant, are not allowed on board.
Lufthansa. You can travel with this airline until the end of the 36th week (or four weeks before the expected date of delivery) without providing a certificate. After the 36th week, a pregnant woman should contact the medical center of the Lufthansa airline company. With a multiple pregnancy, it is not allowed to fly after the 28th week.