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Q&A: Is it safe to fly before week 12?

I've heard that you shouldn't fly until after 12 weeks because of the risk of miscarriage -- is this correct? I feel like I've heard of lots of people flying before 12 weeks, though, so I'm wondering if this is just an outdated theory.

Re: I've heard that you shouldn't fly until after 12 weeks because of the risk of miscarriage -- is this correct? I feel like I've heard of lots of people flying before 12 weeks, though, so I'm wondering if this is just an outdated theory.

The Bump Expert

If you've never had a miscarriage before, it should be safe to fly. The other theory you've heard has to do with the fact that approximately 20% of all pregnancies end in miscarriage. Once you've had two or three miscarriages in a row, this risk increases to more than 30%. If you are going to have a miscarriage, it's much more likely to happen in the first trimester than later in pregnancy. By flying, you aren't increasing your risk of miscarriage, but it can be logistically and emotionally difficult if you experience a miscarriage away from home.

Dr. Ashley Roman | July 09 , 2009 12:38 PM

re: Q: Fly before week 12?

how long after having the baby should i wait to travel?

faypez242 | July 28 , 2008 5:50 PM

re: Q: Fly before week 12?

I have flown before the 12 week mark and the only big problem I had was that it made my morning sickness 10 times worse! Not very appealing on a plane!

jen03301 | September 19 , 2008 11:56 AM

re: Q: Fly before week 12?

im scared now im 5 weeks today and i will be flying for about 2 hours on week 7 and for 10 hours on week 8!!!! please tell me im safe!?!

nuestra _boda | October 05 , 2008 10:41 AM

re: Q: Fly before week 12?

I had an early term miscarriage over the summer. Now I am pregnant again and of course really worried about this time around. So I was very comforted by this page (& my Doc!) saying that flying itself before week 12 does not contribute. I put it to the test- flew to/from Europe in week 4/7 - no problems on the flights. I am now at 10 weeks. Hope this helps!

liongish119 | November 24 , 2008 11:58 AM

re: Q: Fly before week 12?

I flew from Ohio to Thailand at 8 weeks and back again at 10 weeks. Other than the food smells making me sick I didn't have any problems. I was told to drink at least a cup of water every hour and to get up for 15 minutes every two hours (typically had to pee at this rate so sleeping through it wasn't an issue at all!) If the smells get to you, ask the flight attendant for a bag of coffee. I laid the bag of coffee beans on my shoulder and it helped my tummy settle almost instantly.

youngmomma | December 03 , 2008 1:27 PM

re: Q: Fly before week 12?

can you take a motion sickness pill while you're pregnant? I know that might be a stupid question, but I need to know.

deb2126 | December 26 , 2008 4:09 PM

re: Q: Fly before week 12?

My OB/GYN's website says that Dramamine is safe to take.

nicobean1 | March 19 , 2009 2:46 PM

re: Q: Fly before week 12?

I read that this info comes from studies done on flight attendants who fly 20 hours a week over the course of their pregnancies and have increased risk of miscarriage. And something else about the radiation and air quality in planes. Dont quote me, google it.

adyer0507 | April 14 , 2009 10:56 AM

re: Q: Fly before week 12?

Deb- try SeaBands or Relief Bands. They are motion sickness bands, accupressure on your wrist, so arent drugs. Good for morning sickness too.

adyer0507 | April 14 , 2009 10:58 AM

Q&A: Is it safe to fly before week 12?

I found out I was pregnant at 4 weeks (I could be farther along, I haven't had an ultrasound yet and I had irregular periods) and two days after my appointment I had to fly to New England for work. The flight there was ok (about an hour and a half). I managed to get a seat in the exit row so I had some room to stretch. The only issue I really had on that flight was my ankles swelling A LOT. The flight back home was a totally different story though, I sat in the back of the plane about two seats away from the toilets. It seemed like every 2 seconds someone was going to the bathroom and everytime the door opened I could smell everything that had been "deposited" in the bathroom the entire flight. Aside from that, the flight was fine until the landing. My stomach totally flipped on that flight because i was in the back of the plane and I thought I was going to be sick. I was sitting next to my boss who is still unaware that I"m pregnant since it's so early, and afraid I was going to puke in his lap. Long story short, I went to the doctor as soon as I got back from the flight because they wanted to draw blood and everything still looked good. The only negative that I experienced by flying in the 1st trimester was the sensitivity to smells and sitting in the very back of the plane where the ride isn't as gentle.

calake | July 09 , 2010 9:06 PM

Q&A: Is it safe to fly before week 12?

I flew when I was just short of 5 weeks and lost the baby at 5w5d. The pg test they gave me in the hospital was negative, so they know the miscarriage happened several days (up to a week) before. No one will ever know for sure if traveling had anything to do with it, but I will never fly pg again.

staclinusa | August 06 , 2010 8:15 PM

Q&A: Is it safe to fly before week 12?

I am 7w pregnant now and flew from Europe back to the States on a 10 hour flight 4w pregnant. Thank goodness it was a non-stop flight. I had complications since I had IVF and had ascites. I told myself never again will I fly while pregnant. I had to pee every 30 minutes, and drink 4 liters of water on that flight to prevent thrombosis. My back was killing me and I virtually had to lay as far down on the seat as possible because lying down was more comfortable than sitting. I stood most of the flight and probably dozed off for 30 minutes. Every day is a blessing that I am still pregnant. I am to fly again at week 20 and God willing I'll make it that far and hopefully be out of the major danger period of miscarriage. But I will not hesitate to cancel that flight if I have to. Good luck.

Blessing1231 | January 17 , 2011 4:10 PM

Q&A: Is it safe to fly before week 12?

I just found out I'm pregnant (approx. 5 weeks) - I have to fly 26+ hours (including 5 hr layover) from Australia to US (east coast) in 3 weeks time which would put me 8 weeks into the pregnancy. I have not experienced any morning sickness yet but am concerned about being on such long flights. Besides trying to get an aisle seat and arming myself with paper bags, does anyone have any tips to help survive this dreadfully long trip? I travel very frequently and don't usually get up during flights (even long-haul) - I prefer to curl up in my window seat and lose myself in books/movies for the entire duration, perhaps only getting up once to pee. Is this not recommended while pregnant? Should I try to walk around often? Any tips/advice will be appreciated!

catbarrel@yahoo.com.au | February 17 , 2011 5:16 AM

Q&A: Is it safe to fly before week 12?

I'm also concerned. I just found out i'm pg and only 4 weeks. In 2 weeks, I have a 14 hour flight.

BallerinaK | February 27 , 2011 2:07 PM

Q&A: Is it safe to fly before week 12?

I flew about 3 days after conception (before I had any clue I was pregnant), and then again a week and a half after that, and most recently again at 10 weeks. I'm currently 11 weeks and 3 days and haven't had any problems so far, I am 23 years old, if that matters to anyone. I would recommend doing what you're most comfortable with, however. I can imagine myself feeling extremely guilty if I do miscarry - that I didn't take more caution. But then again, these things will generally happen on their own, and it's really nobody's fault. Life just happens.

musicgal05 | March 09 , 2011 5:24 PM

Q&A: Is it safe to fly before week 12?

I flew from Indiana to Texas and back at Week 6-7 and was fine. I'm at Week 9 now.

LEliseStar | May 25 , 2011 7:37 PM

Q&A: Is it safe to fly before week 12?

How soon after the baby is born, are you able to travel with baby, not flying but driving?

sunshinehoneybee | July 24 , 2011 9:43 PM

Q&A: Is it safe to fly before week 12?

As for flying pregnant, just try to stay healthy cuz plane air has more germs, so wash your hands, etc. Other than that it's safe, I'll be flying soon in my 2nd trimester. As for traveling after baby is born I hear from people it's not really an issue, infants are much better travel partners than toddlers. I have to drive 12hrs. about a month after my baby is born. We'll just plan frequent stops, and bring bottles so we don't have to stop to breastfeed all the time. Other than that stories i've heard is they sleep through most of it.

allardr | January 13 , 2012 9:16 PM