What should pregnant women pay attention to when traveling by plane?
The right time
For pregnant women, the best time to travel by plane or even other means of transport is the second trimester of pregnancy (months 4, 5, and 6). However, in reality, if you are in good health and have no unusual problems, you can absolutely travel by plane until the 36th week of pregnancy.
Notes when booking airline tickets
- Inform airline staff, ticket office, and agents about your pregnancy to receive advice on necessary regulations and precautions.
- Choose a seat in the middle of the cabin near the wings to minimize oscillations and pressure when the plane lands, takes off or enters an area of pressure turbulence.
- If you have health problems or are pregnant, consider carefully before booking a ticket. If you need to travel by plane, you should have a nurse accompany you on the flight.
Pregnancy check-up and prepare full health confirmation documents
Each airline has its own regulations for transporting pregnant passengers. Depending on the airline you choose to fly, you need to prepare appropriate health certification documents before the flight.
In addition, you should also bring your regular pregnancy check-up book and health monitoring book when flying.
Things to do on the flight
Pregnant women on planes need to pay attention to wearing seat belts to absolutely ensure the health of mother and fetus.
- On long flights, pregnant women should not sit in one place for too long. Except for the times when you are required to not leave your seat, you can walk around and do light exercises such as rotating your neck, stretching your arms, massaging your calves... to help avoid fatigue.
- You should drink plenty of water, prioritize milk and fruit juice because the low humidity on the plane can make you dehydrated.
Things to consider before flying
- High blood pressure during pregnancy.
- Uncontrolled or poorly controlled hyperglycemia or diabetes.
- Sickle cell disease (red blood cells that are fragile at high altitudes and low oxygen levels).
- There is a risk of premature birth and placental abnormalities.
Airline regulations for pregnant passengers
In addition to identification documents such as ID cards, passports, or residence cards, pregnant women who want to fly also need to bring a health certificate, which is required by each airline.
Vietnam Airlines
- Passengers who are pregnant women under 32 weeks must carry identification documents as usual, no health confirmation required.
- Passengers who are pregnant women from 32 to 36 weeks need to confirm their health (MEDIF I, MEDIF II) before the flight.
- Do not transport passengers who are pregnant over 36 weeks.
VietJet Air
- Passengers who are pregnant up to 27 weeks are required to provide documents confirming the number of weeks of pregnancy and sign a liability waiver.
- Passengers who are pregnant women from 27 weeks to 32 weeks must present a doctor's certificate confirming the number of weeks of pregnancy and health to take the flight (signed within 07 days from the flight departure date) and sign a liability waiver.
- Do not transport passengers who are pregnant over 32 weeks.
Jetstar Pacific
- Passengers who are pregnant women under 28 weeks and in normal health do not need to bring their pregnancy check-up book, but must sign a liability waiver at the time of flight check-in.
- Passengers who are pregnant women from 28 weeks to 36 weeks are required to have a pregnancy certificate/record or health certificate (signed within 10 days of the flight departure date) and must sign a liability waiver at the time of flight check-in.
- Do not transport passengers who are pregnant over 36 weeks.
Bamboo Airways
- Passengers who are pregnant women under 28 weeks are required to provide a regular pregnancy check-up book, an ultrasound confirming the gestational age and sign a liability waiver.
- Passengers who are pregnant women from 28 weeks to 32 weeks must present a regular pregnancy check-up book, an ultrasound scan confirming the gestational age, a doctor's certificate (signed within 07 days of the flight departure date) and sign a liability waiver.
- Do not transport passengers who are pregnant over 32 weeks.
