Having a high-risk pregnancy means adjusting your lifestyle quite a bit — but does it mean you’re grounded for nine months?
The answer isn’t always straightforward.
Many women with high-risk pregnancies can travel safely under the right circumstances. However, certain medical conditions may make flying inadvisable or require special precautions. The best approach depends on your specific diagnosis, how far along you are, and whether your pregnancy has been stable.
Before you book a flight, read this blog and check in with our team of experts at Desert Perinatal Associates.
A high-risk pregnancy simply means that you or your baby have factors that increase the chance of complications during pregnancy, labor, or delivery.
Many different situations can lead to a high-risk designation, including:
Because high-risk pregnancies vary so much, there’s no single rule that applies to everyone.
For women with high-risk but stable pregnancies and no active complications, we often give you the go-ahead for air travel.
Commercial aircraft are pressurized, and healthy pregnant women generally tolerate flying well. In fact, many women travel by plane throughout pregnancy without any issues.
However, the fact that air travel is generally safe doesn’t automatically mean it’s appropriate for every high-risk pregnancy.
Our recommendations should always take precedence over general guidelines. Here are a couple of things to consider.
When it comes to travel, timing is often one of the biggest factors.
The second trimester is usually the most comfortable time to fly because morning sickness has often improved, energy levels may be better, and the physical discomforts of late pregnancy haven’t fully set in yet.
As pregnancy progresses, travel becomes more complicated for practical and medical reasons.
Even if you’re healthy enough to fly, many airlines also place restrictions on travel during the later weeks of pregnancy, particularly for women carrying multiples.
Before making travel plans, it’s important to check both your airline’s policies and your care plan with our team.
We may recommend postponing travel or avoiding flights altogether in certain situations. Examples may include:
In these situations, the concern isn’t usually the flight itself. The concern is what could happen if complications arise while you’re far from your medical team or access to specialized care.
Sometimes the safest place to be is close to home.
Pregnancy naturally increases the risk of blood clots, and sitting for extended periods can increase that risk further.
If we approve travel, we usually recommend:
These simple measures can help improve circulation and reduce discomfort during travel.
When evaluating travel, it’s important to consider more than just the airplane.
Ask yourself:
Sometimes the destination presents more concerns than the actual flight.
A short flight to a major city with excellent healthcare resources may be safer than a long drive to a remote location.
Flying during pregnancy is extremely personal. It’s always a good idea to discuss travel plans with one of our team members before booking a trip if you have a high-risk pregnancy.
We understand the specifics of your medical history, current pregnancy, and risk factors. We help you weigh the benefits and potential concerns while offering personalized recommendations.
This conversation becomes especially important if you’re traveling internationally, planning a lengthy trip, carrying multiples, or experiencing any pregnancy-related complications.
Got a trip coming up you need us to weigh in on? Contact our friendly staff to request an appointment. We proudly serve families in the greater Las Vegas area.
