During the trip To reduce the risk of a blood clot, your doctor may recommend compression stockings or leg exercises that you can do in the seat. Also, see the CDC's Blood Clots While Traveling page for more tips on how to avoid blood clots while traveling. Traveling by commercial airplane before week 36 of pregnancy is generally considered safe if you have a healthy pregnancy. Even so, if you are pregnant, check with your healthcare provider before you fly.
If you're enjoying a healthy pregnancy, traveling by plane is likely to be safe. As long as there are no complications or concerns identified with pregnancy, it is generally safe to travel during pregnancy. The ideal time to travel during pregnancy is the second trimester. In most cases, you have already passed the morning sickness of the first trimester and several weeks after the third stage of pregnancy, when you are most easily fatigued.
Your healthcare provider may warn against air travel if you have pregnancy complications that could worsen with air travel or if you need emergency care. The International Association for Medical Assistance to Travelers (IAMAT) has a worldwide directory of doctors who provide medical care to travelers. The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the International Air Travel Association recommend that pregnant women in an uncomplicated pregnancy avoid travel from week 37 of pregnancy until birth. The decision about whether to travel and how far to travel at any time during pregnancy should be a joint decision between you and your healthcare provider or midwife.
Women are generally not allowed to travel by air after 36 weeks for domestic travel and after 28 to 35 weeks for international travel.
