The need for flights on an airplane can arise at any time of pregnancy and a woman should understand what she should be afraid of.
What is dangerous during pregnancy?
All pregnant suffer severe pressure changes during the flight, and toxicosis worsen on board and fight them more difficult. But radiation, which damages cells at high altitudes and can even cause infertility in flight attendants, during pregnancy is not feared because of a small dose of radiation. But if there is a flight in the first month of pregnancy, when all organs and systems are being laid, any teratogenic factor, including radiation, can cause malformations in the fetus.
Flight in the first trimester of pregnancy
During the take-off or landing of the aircraft there are sharp pressure drops, which are difficult for all pregnant women, they can cause miscarriage or premature birth of a woman. In the early stages, especially when there is a flight in the first weeks of pregnancy, because of the increase in the tone of the uterus, it is possible not only to miscarriage, but also bleeding, which can not be stopped on board without specialized assistance. Exacerbation of first trimester toxicity on board can also cause considerable discomfort for a woman.
Flight on late pregnancy
In the late term, premature births occur most often during flights, and it is impossible to provide medical assistance on board either to the mother or the child. Another frequent complication - at a later date, because of a violation of blood supply in the legs, varicose disease is often exacerbated. A prolonged stay in a sitting position and stagnation in the legs can cause thrombophlebitis in a pregnant woman. During the flight there is also a short-term hypoxia in the mother and fetus, but this usually does not lead to serious complications.
Contraindications to flight
Basic contraindications for flights:
- risk of miscarriage;
- thrombophlebitis in history;
- toxicoses of the first and second half of pregnancy;
- severe anemia;
- multiple pregnancies ;
- disorders of blood flow in the placenta;
- pregnancy with artificial insemination;
- incorrect fetal position in the 3rd trimester, as a threat of complications in preterm birth;
- other maternal diseases or complications of pregnancy, in which the doctor may consider the flight dangerous for the mother or fetus.
Recommendations for pregnant women during flights
If possible, then during pregnancy it is better not to fly by air. But if such an extreme necessity has arisen - it is necessary to consult a doctor. During the flight, you should avoid dehydration, use pillows for back and neck, use a disposable gauze mask during flight, often walk between the chairs, be sure to wear a seat belt, and in case of any disturbance of health, seek help from the staff.