Unlike many other airlines, JetBlue does not require a time limit to accept the boarding of expectant mothers on board its planes. The American carrier, on the other hand, requires its passengers to provide a medical certificate which must be issued by their attending physicians 72 hours or less before departure, making it possible to certify that the future mother and her future baby are fit to take the flight.
JetBlue treats pregnant women as people with special medical recommendations. This is not the result of an attempt to discriminate, but rather the responsibility of the wearers for both the mother and her child. It must be remembered that in a closed plane flying ten thousand meters above the ground, there are different conditions from those on the ground, including lower pressure and lower humidity. The passengers will be in a forced position and usually there is no one who would be able to give birth professionally.
The medical certificate that must be presented to the JetBlue gate agent must include information on the expected date of birth of the fetus, specifying the week in which the mother is currently located and a clear indication that there is no contraindications before travelling.
Traveling on a short or long distance flight for pregnant women
So basically, if the pregnancy is safe, there are no contraindications to travel. However, it is recommended that the flight last no longer than three hours. In the case of longer routes, they can be divided into stages with a longer rest, and preferably overnight in places of transit. It is also worth taking a dose of antispasmodics.
Changes in pressure or overload have no effect on the development of pregnancy. A greater danger, however, is staying prolonged in a forced position, which can lead to thromboembolism. To avoid this, it is worth sitting near the aisle on the plane: it will be useful to take a walk from time to time. You should also drink plenty of water. Wearing special compression socks on your legs can help.
Other preventive advice (before boarding)
During the security check, the pregnant woman should not go through a metal detector or an X-ray device. This procedure can be replaced by an inspection only with a metal detector or in special situations, a personal inspection.
Flying pregnant? Until when is it safe for the expectant mother?
During the first trimester of pregnancy, if taking a flight is not prohibited, you should be aware that this can accentuate certain pregnancy disorders, in particular nausea.
The midwife also reminds us that we must take into consideration the way the pregnancy unfolds. If it is very tiring, perhaps it is better not to travel like this: Faced with twin pregnancies, gestational diabetes or even a low inserted placenta, for example, we strongly advise against flying. Similarly, if the mother-to-be is on sick leave, it is not very reasonable to get on a plane.
Taking a flight while pregnant: what are the risks?
Even if it is not forbidden, flying when you are pregnant can carry some risks. Due to the pressure on board the device and the seated position, there may be an increased risk of venous thrombosis, details the midwife.
The symptoms of thrombosis are pain in the leg, as well as feelings of warmth and swelling.
Tips for air travel during pregnancy
In order to make the flight as pleasant as possible, here are some practical tips for any risk of suffering the hazards
– It is recommended to wear compression stockings when flying while pregnant. They make it possible to avoid any risk of thrombosis, by promoting blood circulation. Similarly, it is advisable during the flight to get up and walk regularly to promote circulation. It is also possible to take a tennis ball to roll under his foot.
– To avoid nausea, you can take Spasfon or Doliprane.
– Regarding the choice of seat in the plane, we favor seats near the emergency exits or on the aisle side, because it is easier to lie down. It is important to find a comfortable position throughout the flight.