Can you fly 36 weeks pregnant

Road accidents are among the most common causes of injury in pregnant women. If you have to make a long trip, don't travel on your own. You could also share the driving with your companion. Ferry companies have their own restrictions and may refuse to carry heavily pregnant women often beyond 32 weeks.

Check the ferry company's policy before you book. For longer boat trips, such as cruises, find out if there are onboard facilities to deal with pregnancy and medical services at the docking ports. Take care to avoid food- and water-borne conditions, such as stomach upsets and travellers' diarrhoea. Some medicines for treating stomach upsets and travellers' diarrhoea aren't suitable during pregnancy. Always check if tap water is safe to drink. If in doubt, drink bottled water.

If you get ill, keep hydrated and continue eating for the health of your baby, even if you're not hungry. Find out about a healthy diet in pregnancy , and foods to avoid in pregnancy. Page last reviewed: 12 November Next review due: 12 November Home Pregnancy Keeping well in pregnancy Back to Keeping well in pregnancy. Travelling in pregnancy. Find out more about getting healthcare abroad. When to travel in pregnancy Some women prefer not to travel in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy because of nausea and vomiting and feeling very tired during these early stages.

If your health care provider approves air travel and your plans are flexible, the best time to fly might be during your second trimester. This is when the risks of common pregnancy emergencies are the lowest.

Radiation exposure associated with air travel at high altitudes isn't thought to be problematic for most who fly during pregnancy. However, pilots, flight attendants and other frequent fliers might be exposed to a level of cosmic radiation that raises questions during pregnancy.

If you must fly frequently during your pregnancy, discuss it with your health care provider. He or she might recommend limiting your total flight time during pregnancy. There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Sign up for free, and stay up-to-date on research advancements, health tips and current health topics, like COVID, plus expert advice on managing your health.

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Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. Yes, just like other kinds of pregnancy travel , flying while pregnant is safe as long as you're not too close to your due date and don't have any medical complications.

Talk with your healthcare provider before you book your flight to discuss any potential issues and get their go ahead. Know that almost every airline won't let women who are past 36 weeks pregnant fly — and sometimes that's even earlier for international travel. As long as you and your baby are healthy, you shouldn't have any trouble in the pressurized cabin of a commercial airliner.

Just remember to keep your seat belt on while you're seated — it should sit under your belly and low on your hips. You don't need to worry about the screening machines at the airport, either.

They won't harm your baby. Your ob-gyn or midwife may be able to help you find a provider at the destination you're visiting in case you need medical attention while you're away. You'll also want to verify what your health and travel insurance policies cover regarding emergencies abroad and flight cancellations, in the event that something happens or you need to cancel your trip.

Most airlines won't let pregnant women fly after 36 weeks — if you're planning to get on a plane sometime during your third trimester, check with your airline on their specific pregnancy travel policies before booking your flight. That's the last bit of travel stress anyone needs! If you're not vaccinated, the CDC says you should delay or avoid travel unless it's absolutely essential. Pregnant women who get COVID are at a higher risk for severe illness and hospitalization, as well as preterm birth and other poor pregnancy outcomes.

This is why major health organizations are recommending that women who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or are planning on becoming pregnant get the COVID vaccine.

If you do fly, you'll have to wear your mask the entire time — federal guidelines currently require masks be worn on all U. They can help you make the best decisions for you and your baby's health. BabyCenter's editorial team is committed to providing the most helpful and trustworthy pregnancy and parenting information in the world.

When creating and updating content, we rely on credible sources: respected health organizations, professional groups of doctors and other experts, and published studies in peer-reviewed journals.

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Air travel during pregnancy.