TTMA Travel during first tri XP: CAR

[cali]

Hey everyone,

So a while back I scheduled a trip for the first week of January (obviously before I knew I'd be pregnant). I can't really get a straight answer from my RE about travelling. They're kind of like if you have to you can but we don't recommend it. So I need some advice. Obviously, if it puts my pregnancy at risk I'm not going to do it but if it's not risky I really want to go. It's basically a four hour flight. I'll be in a major city so if anything happened there's plenty of medical care available. Has anyone taken a flight during early pregnancy? Any advice/experience greatly appreciated.

[cali]

@wineandcupcakes, thank you so much. I was literally just getting sucked down the Google rabbit hole when I saw your post! This info was really helpful and makes me feel much better. I wish my nurse from my RE's office would've just given me a straight answer.

[rainbowbridge14]

***SAIF warning***


Just wanted to chime in that I flew three different times during first tri, at 8 weeks, 10 weeks, and 12 weeks. All was good and it was perfectly safe for little one but I was pretty miserable because I had a horrible first tri. Airplanes are really are no fun when you feel like you constantly want to throw up. I know many people recommend if you need to travel to wait until 2nd trimester because you tend to feel better by then, but it is totally doable in first tri. My trips were professional obligations so I didn't have much of a choice but I probably wouldn't do a vacation or other really fun trip if I was having a lot of symptoms and didn't think I would enjoy it.

[cali]

Thanks jennykat and rainbowbridge14

I'm really not sure how I'll be feeling. So far I don't have too much in the way of symptoms except I'm kind of tired, some mild queasiness at times, and an insanely keen sense of smell but it's still pretty early so I know that could change in the next couple weeks. Makes it hard to know how I'll feel then but if it's safe for baby then I think I'm going to try to power through because cancelling at this point would suck and cost a ton. I would absolutely do it if there was any risk to my pregnancy but if it's just my own discomfort I might just have to deal.

[teachermomtobe]

I didn't fly but my RE told me up front that if I was going to that I just had to make sure to walk around every once in awhile to help circulation. She had no other concerns.

[easilyunamused]

Wow I'm planning a trip in January and it didn't even cross my mind to ask the dr.

It's only a 2 hour flight, so I feel ok about it. Is it ok to go through the X-ray machines?

[easilyunamused]

Dec 22, 2016 22:36:13 GMT -5 @wineandcupcakes said:

Dec 22, 2016 22:03:35 GMT -5 easilyunamused said:

Wow I'm planning a trip in January and it didn't even cross my mind to ask the dr.

It's only a 2 hour flight, so I feel ok about it. Is it ok to go through the X-ray machines?

I did all the research. Basically, there are metal detectors (if you get pre-checked), or there are the new machines that scan your body (where you put your hands above your head)....I did the research and essentially they are both safe and not a problem. Many women still prefer to ask for a manual pat down, but obviously that's more of a pain in the ass - especially because nobody rushes to accommodate you. So it's all up to your comfort level.

Ah, thanks! The airports I'm going through use the scanning machines. And I was thinking it would be a pain in the ass to have someone pat me down. I'm all about efficiency when traveling.

I did tell MH I need to snag an aisle seat so I can get up when I feel like it's needed. I already have purchased the tickets, it's it pointless to run it by my RE? I should be with an OB by then anyhow.

[cali]

Dec 22, 2016 22:03:35 GMT -5 easilyunamused said:

Wow I'm planning a trip in January and it didn't even cross my mind to ask the dr.

It's only a 2 hour flight, so I feel ok about it. Is it ok to go through the X-ray machines?

I honestly never thought about it either until I went in for labs the other day and they gave me a packet of info about early pregnancy that said talk to us about any travel plans. I was like well, fuck.

[fightersince83]

My OB said there was no reason not to travel. I traveled in 2nd tri for a month and everything was fine. I requested pat downs vs the scanners because I was paranoid. Other helpful advice I got was wear compression socks, get up and walk around often and drink plenty of liquids. I took snacks because we had a 30 something hour flight there. Four hours you'll probably want a munchy. I felt awful during 1st tri so we didn't do a ton of traveling then, although we did do a few 6-8 hour road trips to see family. Same rules applied for long car rides.

[sms2524]

Dec 23, 2016 2:26:05 GMT -5 fightersince83 said:

My OB said there was no reason not to travel. I traveled in 2nd tri for a month and everything was fine. I requested pat downs vs the scanners because I was paranoid. Other helpful advice I got was wear compression socks, get up and walk around often and drink plenty of liquids. I took snacks because we had a 30 something hour flight there. Four hours you'll probably want a munchy. I felt awful during 1st tri so we didn't do a ton of traveling then, although we did do a few 6-8 hour road trips to see family. Same rules applied for long car rides.

+1 to the pat downs, compression socks and tons of fluids! The fluids will make you go to the bathroom but that's good bc you want to get up and move a little, all in the name of preventing blood clots.

[westiemom]

I flew at 4.5 weeks pregnant and 8 weeks pregnant with no issues. I sat in the back by the restroom because I was feeling sick but that's it. I also did the metal detector several times during my pregnancy (and for both of those flights) and DD is perfect!

[nikiswimr]

**SAIF warning**

I flew twice in first tri, both at least four hour trips each way. Once at 6 weeks and once at 10 weeks. Even gave myself PIO (without the help of MH) both times. I had no complications and my RE wasn't terribly concerned. I did ask for a pat down even after doing the research because I was paranoid, but the millimeter wave detectors (and the old school metal detectors) are both supposed to be safe. I also sat on an aisle and drank lots of fluids. Unfortunately I had terrible morning sickness and puked on the plane every single time I flew first tri. Not al planes have barf bags in the back of the seats, so beware.