Flying
Flying itself does not have any affect on pregnancy. Long haul flying due to immobility and dehydration does increase the risk of deep venous thrombosis (blood clots) for all travellers. This risk is especially high in pregnancy but can be reduced.
Restrictions on pregnant women flying vary between airlines and their policies are usually available online.
Qantas and Virgin allow women with uncomplicated pregnancies to travel on flights greater than 4 hours up to the end of their 36th week. For flights less than 4 hours women may travel up to the end of the 40th week. Earlier restrictions apply to women with multiple pregnancies.
All airlines require women travelling after 28 weeks of pregnancy to carry a doctor’s note confirming their dates and clearance to travel. This should be written within 10 days of departure.
Recommendations for flying:
- Assess the availability and quality maternity facilities at your destination
- Assess the risk of infections disease at your destination: https://www.smartraveller.gov.au
- Confirm your travel insurance cover’s pregnancy related conditions (the costs of international delivery especially if the baby is born preterm can be enormous).
- Reduce your risk of deep venous thrombosis by staying well hydrated, reduce caffeine intake, mobilise during the flight and wear compression stockings
- Wear your seatbelt when seated, it fits below your bump
- Carry a copy of your pregnancy information with you (hardcopy or USB)
Zika Virus
Zika virus is a mosquito born disease present in certain regions of the world. It can also be transmitted from an infected partner during sex. Zika poses serious risks to unborn babies including:
- Microcephaly (an abnormally small head due to the brain not developing properly)
- Intellectual disability
- Developmental delay
- Hearing and visual problems
- Seizures
Only 1 in 5 patients that are infected with Zika will develop symptoms. These may include a mild fever, conjunctivitis, headache, joint pain and a rash.
Couples planning pregnancy should take steps to reduce the chance of infection at the time of conception and during the remainder of the pregnancy by:
- Avoiding travel to affected areas while attempting conception
- If avoiding travel is not possible, couples should take all precautions to prevent mosquito bites and use condoms consistently and correctly when having sex in that country.
- Upon return to Australia it is recommended that women wait at least 6 months after leaving an affected area before attempting pregnancy, regardless of the presence of symptoms of Zika virus infection. If the woman’s partner travelled with her, they should also follow the advice below.
- It is therefore recommended that men wait at least 6 months after leaving an affected area before attempting pregnancy or donating sperm, regardless of the presence of symptoms of Zika virus infection. During this waiting period, the couple should use condoms correctly and consistently.
- If you are unable to wait for the full recommended period before attempting pregnancy a Zika blood sample is taken at least 4 weeks after the last exposure to ensure no infection.
A list of countries where Zika infection is possible can be found on the Australian Government Smart Traveller website. https://smartraveller.gov.au/guide/all-travellers/health/Pages/infectio…
Driving
It is important to wear your seat belt and correctly when pregnant with the lap part of your seat belt worn as low as possible, positioned below your baby. It should be over the upper thighs and across the pelvis. The sash part of your seat belt should pass above the stomach and between the breasts. On long drives stop regularly to stretch your legs and remember to keep hydrated.
