Conference moira::parenting

    I forgot to mention--I would be 32 weeks pregnant during the
    trip.
    
    thanks,
    sheryl
    

    
    Sheryl,
    
    I was going into my 6 month of pregnancy when I flew from Boston
    to San Francisco.  I had booked the flight 8 mos. in advance
    ($277 round trip!) and it was a non-refundable ticket.  My mid-wife
    said it was fine for me to go.  So off I went.  The only thing was
    that I was really nauseous on the airplane.  I was there for 10 days
    and I felt great.  My son was even 14 days overdue!
    
    Just my experience..
    
    Chris

    I took a trip during my 35th week.
    
    I flew to Orlando, via Charlotte, then to Salt Lake City, via Dallas,
    then back to Boston, via Chicago (this was 3 separate travel days, with
    me visiting Orlando and Salt Lake City).
    
    With six separate flight legs, I certainly challenged the adage that
    flying (especially, takeoffs and landings) induces labor.
    
    I had no problems whatsoever, and I would do it again.
    
    Good luck!
    
    Leslie

Not really a problem ... get a note from your Dr. in case the airline gets
fussy.  When on board drink plenty of fluids (usual flying procedure anyway
but more important when pregnant.)

Stuart

    Thanks for your replies so far.  Yes, I will definitely get
    a note from the doctor saying that I can go...  I just 
    found out that I can get a room on campus (in the dorms,
    so it will be very convenient if I get tired during the
    day).  
    
    Is it true what they say about take-offs and landings inducing
    labor?  My ob says that because it's a pressurized cabin it
    does not increase my risk of early labor.
    
    Sheryl
    

    I travelled through my sixth month, on business.  I developed a severe
    musculo-skeletal imbalance in my hips while hauling my body and my
    heavy carry-on (filled with business papers) on and off the plane,
    twisting to load in the overhead racks, climbing over seat-mates, and
    other gyrations needed in that small space.
    
    Result was that I had a lot of pain in my right hip, problems walking
    and standing, and sharp pains whenever I twisted while standing.  It
    suddenly got better after a month, but never entirely cleared up.
    
    The problem wasn't rectified until 2 years later when my left knee
    swelled up and I got help from a physical therapist.
    
    So I'd caution you to reduce your carry-on weight to a minimum.  If I
    had to do it again, I'd photocopy all my papers for safety, put them in
    a drawer in my office, and check the briefcase.
    
    I'd be REAL nervous about doing such a trip with a child under 3 who'd
    need lots of handling.
    
    Laura

I traveled at about the same point in my pregnancy.  In additon
to drinking lots of water (get an aisle seat), I got up and walked
or stood by the bathroom.  Had no problems.

>    Is it true what they say about take-offs and landings inducing
>    labor?  My ob says that because it's a pressurized cabin it
>    does not increase my risk of early labor.
    
     No, it's not true.  Re-read .3 for my proof!
    
     Have a good trip.
    
     Leslie    

    I also traveled near the end of my pregnancy.  My family was having an
    85th birthday party for my Grandmother in Wisconsin, and I wanted to 
    attend.  I did consult my doctor, who approved the trip.  I was 31 weeks 
    along when I traveled (a short weekend trip -- I flew out on a Friday and 
    returned on Sunday), and had no problems.  Part of the trip was even on
    a small "puddle-jumper", and it didn't bother me at all.

    I would also recommend keeping the carry-on luggage to a minimum (as a
    previous reply recommended), and reserving an aisle seat if you are 
    traveling coach.  I can imagine that it might be a strain to get into 
    or out from a window seat.
    

    Well, I don't want to make you nervous or disagree with the previous
    noters but I have a girlfriend who had her child at 28 weeks and is a
    stewardess.  She was told that she could fly up to her 7 month but
    started having contractions at the six month.  Course she was flying
    international flights from Boston to Amsterdam and evidently this might
    have been too much.  She was hopsitalized at her 26 week and her water
    broke at 28.  She delivered a 2.6lb baby girl who went home yesterday
    and is over 4lbs now (delivered in January).
    
    I would have a backup physician in the area, or at least get a
    recommendation just in case you feel ill and want to be checked out
    when you arrive.  Better safe than sorry.
    
    cj

>>    noters but I have a girlfriend who had her child at 28 weeks and is a
>>    stewardess.  She was told that she could fly up to her 7 month but
>>    started having contractions at the six month.  Course she was flying
>>    international flights from Boston to Amsterdam and evidently this might
>>    have been too much.  She was hopsitalized at her 26 week and her water
>>    broke at 28.  She delivered a 2.6lb baby girl who went home yesterday
>>    and is over 4lbs now (delivered in January).


A stewardess ... on an international route ...

OK ... this is a physical job, on the feet a LOT ... and regularly messed up
time zones ... probably poor sleep.

To blame this on flying alone is pretty slim evidence ... there are just too
many other possible things that could cause the premature delivery in this
case.

    
    I second -1. Think of the job/stress/other factors.
    
            seals (who flew to Galway at 28 weeks)
    

This note is being entered for a member of our community who wishes to
remain anonymous.

   Carol duBois, PARENTING Co-mod

*******************************************************

I saw a note in this conference regarding flying in the third trimester. I am
wondering about flying in the first trimester.

This is my first pregnancy and I am about six weeks along.  In a couple of
weeks, I am planning to take a trip that includes flying cross-country (6
hour flight) on the way there, and on the way back (one week later).

I have talked to three obstetricians.  All three have said that it is alright
to fly during the first trimester.  As far as I can tell, I am having a normal
pregnancy (no diabetes, under 35, no medical conditions of note).  I will have
my first pre-natal visit before I go on vacation, and will ask again. 

Still, a family member told me that she and several of her colleagues were told
that they could not fly during the first trimester, and therefore cancelled
business trips during that time.  My family member did have a high-risk
pregnancy, however.

I would like to take my trip, but not at increased risk.  On the other hand,
I don't want to needlessly cancel.  Does anyone in this conference have any
information to share?

Thanks.

I flew when I was "just a little" pregnant :-)  Like you, I was under 35
and in good health.  We had a trip to Disney World planned and I learned of my
status *just* before we left.  My doctor was aware of my plans and just told me
to stay out of hot jacuzzis.

I believe the "What to Expect..." says that flying is okay through the
first 2 trimesters, and may be more enjoyable during the 2nd if you suffer
from morning sickness at all.  (But don't trust my memory on this -- my
baby just turned 2).

- Deb

    I flew during the first trimester with Carrie, with no problems and my
    DO had no issues with it.  she did say that if there hadbeen a problem
    with the pregnancy she didn't want people to worry that flying might
    have been the issue.  
    
    later on, since I live at altitude, she and the last OB I had strongly
    suggested not flying out of the altitude here after 22 weeks because
    they have seen a coerelation between altitude changes and premature
    labor.  Had I wanted to fly into an area with a simalar altiutude, I am
    not sure what they would have recommended.
    
    meg

    My OB told me not to fly when I found out I was pregnant and had a trip
    planned for the following Sunday, so I was 4 weeks along. But the
    reasons he gave me is that although there is no real evidence of a link
    between flying and miscarriage, if anything happened while on the trip,
    I would never forgive myself.  And, as he put it, it wasn't like I
    could just get pregnant anytime since my pregnancy was a result of GIFT
    after 5 years of infertility treatments.  
    
    If you're not a high risk pregnancy and your OB says it's OK, you're
    probably OK to travel by plane.

    I found out I was pregnant about 1 week before we had a Christmas trip
    planned.  The Dr said it was ok and I went on the trip.  Other than
    being very nausous on the return trip (a 5 a.m. flight) I had no
    problems.  Like the basenoter, I was under 35 and considered a normal
    pregnancy.
    
    	marianne

    
    My last pregnancy I flew 3 times on business in my first trimester.  I
    was recommended not  to fly in my third trimester due to my history
    with early labor.  Before the my 1st trimester flights my OB said to
    make sure that my aircraft had a pressurized cabins.  All large normal
    size jets have this but if you have  a short connecting flight some
    smaller aircrafts may not or something like that so my OB said jet
    travel OK, small planes NO.
    
    All 3 flights went well, except for being very tired.  My
    recommendation is to plan arrival and departure times so that you're
    not rushing around.  Take your time.  Stay the extra night after
    working a full day even if you have to pay for it.  Also, I get get bad
    head congestion while flying.  Pregnancy and flying have also caused me
    to feel congested, so combined, it was worse.  If this is you plan
    accordingly with your dortor on what if any medications you can can not
    take or other reliefs.  Also my third and most important recommendation
    is to pack a lot of snacks, crackers, muffin etc.,  You don't want to
    get any more nausous than you have to plus you'll never get the
    airplane food when you really need it and when you get it may not agree
    with you.  Also bring a big jug/water bottle of juice, water, whatever. 
    You will get very dry in flight and again, you can't guarentee when a
    attendant will get to you.    .... Oh and I forgot - get an asile seat. 
    Don't get trapped in a window or middle seat.  The longer it will take
    you to get to the bathroom - just in case.  
    
    Good luck!!!
    Beth
    
    and departing times not to be rushed

    I flew from Helicoptor from Nashua to Boston, then jet from Boston to
    Dallas, from Dallas to Albuquerque, and the same thing back again, when
    I was ~2 mos pregnant w/ Jason.
    
    Originally we'd been told we shouldn't continue the pregnancy, so
    whether or not to fly was never an issue, as I wasn't 'supposed to
    still be' pregnant when the trip was originally planned.  I don't think
    the Dr's ever had any say in the matter.  Since it was for work, I
    didn't have the option of not going.
    
    I am diabetic, so there's that additional risk, but other than that,
    everything else was normal.  I was 25 at the time.
    
    Anyway, everything went fine, and I can't say that I felt any different
    because of the flight.
    

	I went on a business trip /vacation a few days after I found out I 
	was expecting.  I did fine out in San Fran. but when I got to 
	Colorado for 5 days of skiing I did develop some morning sickness.
	I made it through my vacation, just had some slow mornings!
	No problem on the plane rides, I just made sure I drank lots of
	water.

	My dr did say to make it my last ski trip of the season though.

	Lynne