Is it safe to fly while pregnant? Effects on the baby and points to be aware of [Doctor-supervised]

Until when can pregnant women fly?

There’s no rule that says you can’t fly while pregnant, but you may be concerned about the effects on the mother and baby… Let’s take a look at the risks of flying at each stage of pregnancy and the regulations of each airline.

Risks of flying at each stage of pregnancy

Early pregnancy (up to 13 weeks and 6 days)

Spontaneous miscarriage during early pregnancy is a possible problem, regardless of whether you fly.

Under 24 years old	16.7%
25~ 29 years old	11.0%
30-34 age	10.0%
35-39 years old	20.7%
40 years old or older	44.3%

Reference: Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare – Specific treatment for those suffering from infertility Study group on the state of support projects, etc.

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Also, the early stages of pregnancy are when morning sickness symptoms begin to appear. The reduced oxygen concentration on an airplane may worsen morning sickness and anemia symptoms.
During this period, you may want to consider flying only if there are no problems with your pregnancy or physical condition.

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Second trimester (14 weeks 0 days to 27 weeks 6 days)

This is a time when your pregnancy is relatively stable. If you are planning to travel by plane, this is the best time.

Late pregnancy (from 28 weeks of pregnancy)

This is the time when most airlines have conditions for boarding. In the later stages of pregnancy, when the abdomen is more likely to become bloated, the decrease in oxygen concentration can cause pressure on the uterus.
In addition, the change in air pressure can cause decompression sickness (dizziness, numbness, breathing difficulties, etc.), and in severe cases, it can even lead to death.
If you know in advance that you will be flying to give birth at your hometown, for example, we recommend that you do so by the middle of your pregnancy if possible.

Airlines’ policies regarding pregnant women

For ANA and JAL

出産予定日28日～8日以内	搭乗日を含めた搭乗7日以内に発行された「お客様が航空旅行を行われるにあたり、健康上支障がない」という、医師が明記した診断書
出産予定日7日以内	診断書の提出と医師の同行

Other airlines

Skymark Airlines

出産予定日28日～8日以内	「航空旅行を行っても差しつかえない」と明記されている医師の診断書
出産予定日7日以内	診断書及び医師または助産師の同行 ※助産師のみの場合は「当該旅客の同行者として助産師でもよい」と明記された医師の診断書

Peach

出産予定日28日～15日以内	搭乗日の7日以内に発行された「診断書」をFAXにて送付
出産予定日14日以内	診断書の送付に加えて医師の同行

Risks of flying and how to deal with them

There are several risks involved when flying while pregnant. Let’s take a look at what those risks are and how to deal with them.

Susceptible to economy class syndrome

Since blood is more likely to clot during pregnancy, it is said that pregnant women are more likely to develop economy class syndrome than non-pregnant women.
Economy class syndrome is a disease in which blood clots form in the veins and cause blood to stagnate. At first, the legs and knees swell, causing severe pain in the calves and thighs. If the blood clot breaks off and blocks the pulmonary artery, there is a risk of chest pain, shortness of breath, and heart attack.

<Solution>

• Drink plenty of water (carbonated drinks are a no-no as they expand)
• Move your legs and body about once every 30 minutes
• Wear loose clothing

Problems caused by changes in air pressure

Problems may occur on board due to changes in air pressure and reduced oxygen levels.

• Worsening morning sickness
• Compression of the uterus
• headache
• Frequent urination

The impact on the fetus is also a concern, but since the miscarriage rate among flight attendants is not much different from that of women in other occupations, it is thought that there is little need to be concerned about the impact on the fetus.

<Solution>

• Wear loose clothing around the chest and stomach
• Reserve an aisle seat
• Prepare a sickness bag
• Wear a mask

What effects do metal detectors and radiation have on fetuses?

You may be worried about the metal detectors at the baggage inspection gates, as they may affect your unborn baby. Metal detectors and body scanners do not emit radiation such as X-rays. There is no risk of adverse effects such as miscarriage or birth defects on either the mother or the child, so please rest assured.
Also, although the radiation level is higher in the sky than on the ground, it is not enough to affect the unborn baby.

Radiation risks to the fetus during pregnancy

0 to 2 weeks of pregnancy	Miscarriage
2 to 8 weeks of pregnancy	Abnormal organ formation (odd shape)
8 to 15 weeks of pregnancy	Mental disorder Da Yuyan

*If you receive 100 millisieverts at once

Reference materials: Ministry of the Environment – Uniform basic information on the health effects of radiation (2016 edition, HTML format)

By the way, the radiation dose when flying from Tokyo to New York is 0.19 millisieverts. The natural radiation dose we are exposed to every day is said to be 2.4 millisieverts per year, so there is no need to worry about exposure to radiation on an airplane.
If you are still worried, we recommend that you undergo NIPT (prenatal diagnosis).

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Things to check before boarding a plane

• Avoid travelling during the later stages of pregnancy as much as possible
• Consult your doctor 2-3 months before your trip
• Research some obstetrics and gynecology medical facilities at your destination
• Have emergency contact information ready
• Always carry your maternal and child health handbook and health insurance card

Instead of panicking after a problem occurs, be sure to prepare in advance.

Summary

Flying while pregnant is more of a concern for the mother than the fetus. To ensure a safe delivery, please make a careful decision after consulting with your doctor, taking into consideration the progress of your pregnancy and your physical condition.

【References】

• Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare Research on Mental and Physical Disabilities – Comprehensive research on factors surrounding pregnant women and maternal and child health
• Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare Quarantine Station FORTH – To avoid getting sick
• Japan Society of Aerospace and Environmental Medicine – Epidemiological Study of Aircraft Crew (Pregnancy-related)
• Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism – Security Checks for Pregnant Passengers
• GLOBAL NETWORK – I’ve heard that you are exposed to radiation when you fly on an airplane. Is this true?