With the qualifications outlined below, flying generally isn’t harmful to a pregnant woman or the baby she is carrying. There is no evidence that it causes early labour or your waters to break. Anyone who flies is exposed to a slight increase in radiation. Occasional flights are not considered to present a risk to you or your baby.

However:

After 28 weeks, the airline may request a letter from your doctor or obstetrician stating that you don’t have a high-risk pregnancy, if you are carrying multiple babies, and when your due date is. It is recommended that you don’t fly after 34 weeks, unless essential. Some airlines won’t let you fly after around 37 weeks (32 if you are having twins) since there’s a chance you’ll go into labour during the flight.

Vaccinations, sometimes associated with long-haul flights, are not recommended during pregnancy since the virus or bacteria in the immunization could harm the baby – talk to your doctor regarding any specific questions.

If you choose to fly you should bring the following with you: –

• Hand-held pregnancy notes
• Any medications you are taking
• If you are over 28weeks pregnant, you will require a letter from your doctor or obstetrician stating that you don’t have a high-risk pregnancy, if you are carrying multiple babies, and when your due date is
• Your need to ensure that you have appropriate travel insurance and that you carry these documents.

Venous Thromboembolism

A deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a clot that forms in your leg or pelvis. If it travels to your lungs (pulmonary embolism) it can be life threatening. There is an increased risk when pregnant and for up to six weeks after delivery of your baby, of developing a DVT compared to women who are not pregnant.

If you are flying, there’s a chance (even if you’re not pregnant) of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) – a clot forming. If you do fly, wear loose clothing and comfortable shoes, drink lots of water, avoid caffeine and alcohol, get up and walk around a lot, and wear special DVT socks you can buy at the airport or pharmacy.

If you have other risk factors for a DVT, regardless of the length of your flight, you may be advised to have heparin injections, these will thin your blood and help prevent a DVT. These injections should be taken on the day of the flight and for a few days afterwards. Please discuss any flights with your midwife/obstetrician.For security reasons, if on heparin, you will need a letter from your doctor to enable you to carry these injections onto the plane.

Malaria

The advice for pregnant women is not to travel to a malaria-risk country if they are pregnant, unless their trip is essential. Also, if you are travelling to a malaria-risk area, you should avoid getting pregnant, as there is an increased risk of miscarriage and anti-malarial medications may be harmful to the baby.

Malaria infection carries serious risks to both you and your baby. Pregnant women are more likely to get malaria. This is because your immunity to any infection is lower when you are pregnant.

How to reduce you risk of getting malaria if you travel: –

• Be aware of the malaria risk
  • The malaria risk depends on the country/area you visit, length of stay, time of year and type of malaria
• Bite prevention
  • Use insect repellent – DEET 50% on skin, every 12 hours but more often if in a sweaty environment or have just applied sunscreen. DEET is safe in pregnancy and whilst breastfeeding.
  • Sleep with a mosquito net that has been treated with insecticide such as pyrethroid.
  • Cover up bare skin in the evenings and at night. Wear long sleeves, long trousers and loose fitting clothing. You can spray clothing with DEET also to reduce the risk of getting bitten.
  • Sleeping in an air-conditioned room reduces the risk of bites. Doors and windows to the room you sleep should be screened with mesh. Before dusk, spray the room with insecticide to kill any mosquitoes.

• Chemoprophylaxis (anti-malarial medication)
  • Antimalarial medication helps to prevent malaria, but mya not work in every case
  • Malaria prevention guidelines for travellers who are UK residents are regularly updated (see the Public Health England website: www.gov.uk/government/collections/malaria-guidance-data-and-analysis)
  • Your doctor, obstetrician or travel clinic can give you advice
  • Antimalarial medication is only available on prescription and you should only get it from your doctor, obstetrician or a travel clinic.
  • The antimalarial drug recommended in pregnancy is mefloquine (appears to be safe to take.) However if you are less than 12 weeks or breastfeeding you should talk to you obstetrician before taking any antimalarial drugs. If you have epilepsy, depression or a history of mental illness, you will not be able to take mefloquine, and should contact your obstetrician for advice.

Zika

It is recommended that pregnant women should not travel to countries where there is evidence of a current outbreak of Zika virus. In countries where there have been reported outbreaks, but not current outbreak pregnant women are advised to consider postponing non-essential travel.

Pregnant women who must travel (or choose to travel) to an area with risk for Zika virus transmission should take all necessary precautions to minimise the chances of a mosquito bite, as described above.

Pregnant women and their partners should consistently use barrier methods for sex during and after travel to reduce the risk of the developing fetus being exposed to Zika virus. Barrier methods should be continued for the duration of the pregnancy and should be used even in the absence of Zika symptoms.

If you have become pregnant and recently returned to the UK from areas with risk for Zika virus, inform you obstetrician or midwife, that you may have been exposed to the virus so that your pregnancy can be monitored appropriately.

Car travel is generally safe for a pregnant woman and the baby she is carrying – with the guidelines below:

• Take breaks and walk around to reduce the risk of DVT if the journey is over 5 hours long.
• Drink lots of water.
• Try to avoid long trips where you may get unusually tired, or try to share the driving.
• Put the seat belt under your bump over your lap – with the cross strap between your breasts. Do not put the belt over the top of your bump.

If you are involved in a road accident, however minor, it’s important to get checked out by a health professional straight away. That could be your GP, your midwife or at your local maternity unit.

Travelling and Covid

Please click HERE for the latest Government information on Covid Passes.

Please click HERE for the latest advice on Covid vaccinations and pregnancy from the Royal College of Obs and Gyns.