News Moms Need

Are you taking the kids to visit Grandma and Grandpa this summer? Are you going on a vacation that requires air travel? As the summer travel season begins, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has launched an education effort to help parents and caregivers make informed choices about their child’s safety when they fly. 

The FAA has developed a new web site and online toolkit with information about how to keep children safe when traveling by air.  The site includes a downloadable tip sheet for parents and caregivers and a video demonstration on how to properly install a child safety seat on an airplane.  Details about FAA-approved child harness devices and links to frequently asked questions also are included on the web site.  Click on this link for more information.    Check out the new web site at http://www.faa.gov/passengers/fly_children/.

Thanksgiving is just two weeks away! Where did the time go? Between family get-togethers, holiday gift shopping and my husband’s birthday (which usually falls on or around Thanksgiving), the end of the year feels like one big race to New Year’s. Thankfully, both my and my husband’s families are just a few hours drive from our home. But plenty of my girlfriends are hopping on a plane to see their loved ones.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recently strengthened its position on air travel during pregnancy. The organization reassures women that air travel is safe for most pregnant women. So long as a woman’s pregnancy is healthy and free of complications, it’s safe for her to travel by air. Most airlines allow women who are up to 36 weeks in their pregnancy to travel, but it’s a good idea to double check with your air carrier.

If you’re pregnant and plan to travel by air this holiday season, follow these tips (which are helpful for everyone as well):
• Wear comfortable, loose clothing. You may want to wear support stockings.
• When it’s safe to move about the plane’s cabin, take a walk up and down the isle. This can help improve your circulation and avoid the risk of blood clots.
• Stay hydrated, but avoid foods and beverages that may cause gas. Gas in your belly expands at high altitudes, making you feel less comfortable.
• Always wear a seat belt when seated to avoid injury in the case of turbulence.
• When making air travel arrangements, try getting an isle seat so you don’t have to climb over other passengers to go to the bathroom. Also, try sitting towards the front of the plane, where the ride feels smoother.
• If you’re experiencing nausea during pregnancy, you may want to take a preventative anti-nausea medication before getting on the plane. Talk to your health provider about a medication that’s safe during pregnancy.

 Next month I’m attending a conference for work on the west coast. It’s something that was planned well before I knew I was expecting. I’ll be in my 23rd week by the time I head out. I spoke to my health care provider because I was a little nervous about traveling by myself especially because the flight is so long. I’m mostly concerned about being uncomfortable, having to get up a million times to use the bathroom, weird plane food and jet lag.

If you are in good health and more than five or six weeks from your due date, traveling by air should be fine.  If you are experiencing health problems during your pregnancy, air travel can be unwise.  Be sure to speak with your health care provider if you are unsure about whether you should travel.

Pregnant women who travel may have special concerns including:

Seating - Try to get an aisle seat so you will have more legroom as well as the ability to get up and stretch periodically.  This is important, especially during long flights.  Blood can pool in your legs if you sit idle for extended periods.  This pooling can lead to blood clots.

Changes in air pressure -This should not pose any unusual problems.  During flight, the air pressure in the plane cabin is adjusted to approximate the pressure you would experience around 5,000 to 8,000 feet above sea level.  At this height, you and your baby will each have less oxygen in your blood than you would at sea level.  Your bodies will adjust however and you should get along fine.

Seat belts -The seat belt should be adjusted snugly beneath your abdomen, across the tops of your thighs.

Fluids - Drink plenty of nonalcoholic and decaffeinated fluids before and during the flight.  The humidity level in the cabin is generally low and the extra fluids can help prevent dehydration.

For more information about traveling during pregnancy click here

Image: John Wardell, Flickr