Air travel tips please!

[natividad]

Hi all,
I am scheduled to fly from Washington DC to Paris and then on to Spain next Saturday via Air France and it just dawned on me that I have never flown while being pregnant. I am 15 weeks and generally feel great, but I am huge already and am finding it hard to sleep on my back at night.

Do you have any tips on how to make this flight easier and more comfortable and in general how to better prepare for it. I'll be in Spain for a week. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated. Thanks all!!

Naty
DS 02/03
DS 05/05
and another (?) on 09/05/07

[Momof3Labs]

Drink lots and lots of water, and get up to move as much as possible (at least every hour). You are at higher risk for blood clots in your legs, and getting up and moving will help prevent those. I also find it helpful to use folded blankets and/or pillows to get more comfy in the seat.

Sometimes when I flew when pregnant, I was pretty swollen for a half day or so after landing, and sometimes I didn't swell up at all. So be prepared for that (wear loose, comfy shoes).

Congratulations on your pregnancy!!

[natividad]

Thanks Lori. Your suggestions make lots of sense. Thanks again!

Naty
DS 02/03
DS 05/05

[pb&j]

I traveled a lot while pregnant. My tricks were: Drink a LOT of water. Get an aisle seat since you'll be peeing all the time. It also makes it easier to stretch your legs. Bring a small travel pillow if you can, then bogart as many airplane pillows as possible. Finally, ask for help! People were generally very helpful when they knew I was pregnant. Have fun!


-Ry,
mom to Max the one year old
and my girl in heaven

http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/37124.gif

[Sillygirl]

Difficult to drink a lot of water when you are at the mercy now of what the airline wants to give you. I hear the water that flows through the sinks, etc., is quite nasty and the airline employees won't drink it. Stick your belly out and beg for refills.

[pb&j]

You can purchase water and bring it aboard once you're through security. And no, don't EVER drink the water that comes from the tap on an airplane. You just don't want to know. FWIW, the last trip I took (dec) the water being offered on the plane was bottled.


-Ry,
mom to Max the one year old
and my girl in heaven

http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/37124.gif

[natividad]

Thank you so much! As far as the travel pillow, do you have a specific brand that you like or would any pillow be okay?


Naty
DS 02/03
DS 05/05

[pb&j]

Any little pillow you like is fine - maybe one of those neck pillows, so that you can use the airline pillow for your back.


-Ry,
mom to Max the one year old
and my girl in heaven

http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/37124.gif

[fauve01]

Maybe it depends on the airline, but i've flown back and forth twice since the london problems, and i was NOT able to take water for me or milk for DD on board the airplane that i had purchased after i'd gone through security. the flight attendants would NOT allow any liquids on board.

just thought i'd let you know so you don't spend all your money on water!

Anne

[pb&j]

According to the TSA, yes, you can take beverages on board if they were purchased after going through security. This is a more recent change from the policies instituted immediately after the London arrests.

http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/prohibited/permitted-prohibited-items.shtm#10

-Ry,
mom to Max the one year old
and my girl in heaven

http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/37124.gif