How to make flying when pregnant more comfortable

I spoke recently about our Babymoon to Santorini which we took when I was 28 weeks pregnant with Ettie and it was one of the best holidays we’ve ever had! Unfortunately we haven’t managed to plan anything quite as glamorous this time round, but we have book a cheeky trip to Hamburg next week which we are ever so exited about.

Thinking about travelling when pregnant, it dawned on me that many women may be put off by the thought of sitting cooked up on a plane for a number of hours with an ever-expanding waistline. Flying can be uncomfortable at the best of times, never mind when you’re pregnant and have a little one to think about! What I would say in response to that, is that for me, the benefits of a babymoon outweigh all such reservations as it’s a chance to spend some time quality time away relaxing before your bundle of joy arrives.

If you still have reservations, the good news is there are some simple steps you can take to make sure your trip is as pleasant as possible. Here are eight ways you can make flying when pregnant more comfortable.

1Talk to your doctor before you travel Not only will they be able to identify any pregnancy-induced conditions which could affect your travel experience, but they can also give you advice (and medication, if needed) to make your flight as worry-free as possible. The best time to book an appointment is when you’ve decided on a destination and the timing of your trip, but before you’ve booked it, just in case.

2 Travel in your second trimester Some advice I’m not following for our forthcoming trip to Hamburg, but would recommend is that if you do have any control over when you fly, take your trip during your second trimester. The morning sickness most women experience in the first trimester will hopefully have faded by then, but you won’t be as exhausted as you will during the end of your pregnancy. You should also have a little more room to manoever as your bump shouldn’t have got too big,

3 Choose an aisle seat Reserve your seat in advance if you can — this should be easy to do if your airline allows you to check in before you arrive at the airport. An aisle seat is ideal for a number of reasons. Firstly, you’ll be able to get up and stretch whenever you need to. And secondly, if you need to use the toilet (a more frequent occurrence throughout pregnancy) you can do so without having to squeeze past anyone.

4 Wear layers  You never know what the temperature is going to be like on the plane, so layers are a safe bet as you can adjust them if you’re too hot or too cold. A big scarf is especially handy as it can double up as a blanket if you want to take a nap or just want to cosy up.

5 Bring a bottle of water Staying hydrated is very important during pregnancy and it’s worth taking extra care when you’re on a plane, since the cabin pressure dehydrates you. Holidaysafe’s pregnancy travel guide suggests carrying a one-litre bottle with you at all times and drinking the full amount at least twice a day. Don’t forget to make sure your bottle is empty before you go through security.

6  Wear your seatbelt under your bump, not across it Not only is this more comfortable for you, it’s also much safer. The pressure caused by sudden movement could harm your baby if the seatbelt is worn across your belly.

7Move around as much as you canThis keeps the blood flowing, boosting your circulation and meaning your body will feel less stiff. You can do calf and ankle exercises while sitting down, or stand up and stretch out your arms and legs.

8Don’t forget your flight socks!Flight socks are an easy way to calm swelling, which reduces the chance of developing deep vein thrombosis (DVT). This is especially important on longer flights, where the risk is higher — particularly for pregnant women. According to the NCT, you should put the socks on before the flight and take them off when you go to bed after the flight. Be sure to visit their website for more flight safety tips.

So there you have it, 8 ways to make flying when pregnant a little more comfortable. I feel like I could talk forever about the benefits of travel and the importance of having a little downtime before your little bundle of joy arrives. However I do realize its a personal decision and not something everyone can afford! If however travelling is on your pregnancy to do list, then I hope these tips will make the journey to your chosen destination a little more bearable.

Happy holidays xx