II. Precautions: Airline Travel
- Safe until 36 weeks gestation (32 weeks if Multiple Gestation)
- Carry documented ED+C (due date) with travel papers
- Relative Contraindications to Air Travel
- Airline travel after 36 weeks (after 32 weeks if Multiple Gestation)
- Severe Anemia or Sickle Cell Anemia
- Thrombophlebitis
- Prevention of Deep Vein Thrombosis
- See DVT Prevention in Travelers
- Consider Compression Stockings
- Walk every half hour during flight
- Perform Isometric Exercises (e.g. flex and extend ankles) frequently while sitting
- Stay hydrated
- Cesarean Delivery
- Air travel safe 1-2 weeks after procedure
- Newborns
- Avoid travel for first 1-2 weeks (at least >48 hours) after delivery
- Consult pediatric pulmonology before air travel in children with chronic lung disease
- Radiation Exposure
- Background radiation
- Does not appear to increase Teratogenicity in pregnancy
- However, pregnant frequent flyers, pilots, and flight attendants may be exposed to higher radiation doses
- Body image scanners for security screening
- Appear to be safe in pregnancy
- Background radiation
III. Precautions: International Travel
- See First Aid Travel Kit
- Avoid contaminated food and water
- See Prevention of Foodborne Illness
- Hepatitis E is particularly dangerous in pregnancy
- Travel to areas with Malaria
- Avoid this travel during pregnancy if possible
- See Prevention of Vector-borne Infection
- Malaria Prophylaxis as directed by CDC
- Chloroquine and Mefloquine are used in pregnancy
- Update important Immunizations based on CDC guidelines
IV. Precautions: Activities in Pregnancy
- See Exercise in Pregnancy
- Scuba Diving is contraindicated
- Avoid travel to altitude >13,000 feet or 4000 meters
V. Resources
- CDC Pregnant Travelers
- CDC Yellow Book: Pregnancy, Lactation and Travel