Quick Answer: Air travel is generally discouraged for pregnant women with complications like gestational diabetes. Before making any travel plans, consult with your doctor or gynaecologist to make sure you're fit for travel.
Flying while pregnant is generally considered safe, but certain medical conditions like gestational diabetes can complicate your travel plans. Although most women with gestational diabetes go on to have healthy pregnancies, it still classified as a 'high-risk' pregnancy.
If you have gestational diabetes, you should consult your doctor before you travel, whether you're flying, sailing, or journeying by train or car. They can provide tailored advice to ensure both your safety and that of your baby during your travels.
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Flying When Pregnant With Gestational Diabetes
When considering air travel during pregnancy with gestational diabetes, it's essential to approach your plans with caution. In the UK, one in 20 pregnant women is diagnosed with gestational diabetes. If you're among them, understanding the risks and guidelines for flying is key.
Flying when pregnant
Generally, women with uncomplicated pregnancies may be permitted to fly until late in their pregnancy. However, for those with conditions like gestational diabetes, which is classified as a high-risk pregnancy, additional precautions are necessary.
For domestic flights within the UK, pregnant women can typically travel safely up to around 36 weeks, but international travel restrictions can be more stringent, often recommended only up to 28 weeks.
Each airline has its own policies, so it's crucial to check with your airline before booking. Some may require a medical certificate that includes details such as your due date and any medical complications.
Air travel is generally discouraged for pregnant women experiencing complications like preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, or signs of preterm labour. The main reason is the need to avoid stress and to stay close to your medical support team should you require immediate care.
Before making any travel plans, consult with your doctor or gynecologist. They can provide specific advice tailored to your health needs and the details of your pregnancy, ensuring you and your baby's safety during travel.
Always prioritise direct communication with your healthcare provider and airline company to ensure you have the most accurate and up-to-date information for your situation.
Flying with gestational diabetes
If you have gestational diabetes, you should always ask for your doctor's advice before travelling. Only your medical team can say if you're fit to fly.
Flying with gestational diabetes can be dangerous. It can also be totally safe. It depends on each specific case. The most common risks of flying with gestational diabetes are deep vein thrombosis, blood clots, dehydration, and shortness of breath, which can ultimately affect your and your baby's overall health.
If your doctor says you're fit to fly, or if you must fly anyways, here's what you should know before travelling by air with diabetes.
On The Plane With Gestational Diabetes
Now that you've boarded and are ready to take off here are a few tips to manage your diabetes and have a safe flight. First, like when in a car, you should wear your seatbelt under your bumps and across your lap.
Being pregnant, having diabetes, and being on a plane are three factors that are putting your blood flow under strain.
To prevent blood clots and other circulation problems, move your toes, feet, ankles, and legs as regularly as possible while seated. If you're on a long-haul flight (more than 2 hours) stand up and walk up and down the aisles several times. It will help boost your blood circulation.
Drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration which often happens during flights and is even more common for people with diabetes. Prepare sugar-free diabetic snacks as well as hypoglycaemia fast-acting sugars.
If you're taking insulin, it's good practice to prime your pen before injecting. Because of air pressure changes during take-off prefilled medicine pens may accumulate air bubbles.
If you're crossing time zones during your travel, you might need to adjust your injection schedule. Ask for your doctor's advice if it's the case.
We'd Love to Hear Your Thoughts!
We're eager to hear about your experiences-have you ever travelled by plane while managing gestational diabetes? Your stories could provide valuable insights to others in similar situations. Share with us in the comments below!
