Can you fly by plane when pregnant? [WE EXPLAIN]

After the death of Prince Philip, the world spread the news that Meghan Markle will not appear at the funeral of her husband’s grandfather, Prince Harry. The reason is Markle’s advanced pregnancy – the expectant mother is afraid of the risks associated with a long flight to the UK. Are her fears justified? We are discussing flying during pregnancy with lek. med. Dorota Niewęgłowska – gynecologist from SCM clinic in Krakow.

1. Pregnancy is not a disease, but this condition requires the future mother to introduce certain lifestyle restrictions – explains the doctor
2. A pregnant woman cannot take many medications, she should take care of herself, but also avoid certain activities that might seem completely innocent
3. Flying during pregnancy is an activity that should be consulted with your doctor beforehand. The potential consequences of the flight for the pregnant woman include thrombosis
4. You can find more such stories on the TvoiLokony home page

Can you fly by plane when pregnant?

When it comes to pregnancy and flying, there is no one-size-fits-all answer for all women. It all depends on the course of pregnancy and its possible complications. Before deciding to fly a plane, a pregnant woman should consult her doctor first. It is he who will assess whether the journey will be safe for the woman and the fetus.

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Dorota Niewęgłowska, a gynecologist from SCM clinic in Krakow, explains the risks associated with flying by plane in the case of a pregnant woman.

– Flights in early pregnancy are associated with an increased risk of miscarriage and a potential increased risk of birth defects and genetic anomalies in the fetus, due to the influence of electromagnetic radiation on the DNA of the developing embryo (e.g. transatlantic flight, depending on the time and altitude, corresponds to four pictures X-ray) – explains Niewęgłowska.

During the flight, every person experiences ailments related to pressure changes. They may be harmful to the unborn child. The consequence may even be the necessity to terminate the pregnancy due to the risk of its death.

– Pressure differences, manifested for example by clogging of the ears or headaches, have an impact on the intrauterine location of the fetal egg. Such changes in pressure may cause the fetal egg to detach from the uterine walls, resulting in the formation of a subchondral hematoma, with or without vaginal bleeding. They can be associated with miscarriage in the early stages of pregnancy or detachment of the placenta at a later stage. Premature placenta detachment is a condition requiring urgent termination of pregnancy, not only due to the risk of fetal death, but also associated with a coagulation disorder, adds Niewęgłowska.

Flying in pregnancy and thrombosis. Increased risk

A flight during pregnancy may lead to thrombosis. Especially if the mother suffers from comorbidities such as varicose veins. The risk of thromboembolism in pregnant women is relatively high.

– The most common complications of plane flights during pregnancy are related to the risk of thromboembolism – points out the gynecologist. – A physiological pregnancy is associated with a fivefold increased risk of blood clots. Concomitant maternal diseases, e.g. varicose veins of the lower limbs, kidney disease, cardiac arrhythmias, autoimmune diseases (e.g. systemic lupus – SLE) or some congenital genetic disorders (thrombophilia) additionally increase this risk. Airplane flights, especially over long distances, have an additional risk of up to 3 to 6 times higher.

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Blood clots can lead to, for example, a child’s intellectual or motor disability. The list of potential consequences does not end there.

– Pale placental infarctions, which may be caused by small blood clots in the area of ​​the vessels responsible for gas exchange between the mother and the fetus, may contribute to growth disorders with accompanying disturbances in blood flow in the developing fetus – says Dorota Niewęgłowska. – Thus, they may contribute to hypoxia and the resulting intellectual or motor disability of the child after birth. Deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism (very dangerous and associated with high mortality in pregnant women) are other possible consequences of overlapping risk factors.

Also read:

1. Pregnancy – what should you know about it? The most important questions about pregnancy symptoms, calendar and tests
2. The Polish hospital confused the children. The twin sisters were separated
3. Why is “geriatric pregnancy” not a very happy term? Gynecologist: late motherhood is no longer a cause for shame
4. This defect happens once in 50 thousand. births. A few years ago, it meant the amputation of a leg
5. What do Polish women die most often? New report

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