(Note: This post was written in 2019 pre Covid-19 and all the implications it has put on traveling. An updated post is on the way)
I’m writing this post at 35,000 feet. At almost 33 weeks, this will be my 43rd flight taken during this (first) pregnancy. And thankfully, it’s my second from last flight too! I couldn’t quite believe it when I added up the journeys. That’s more than one airplane for every week I’ve been pregnant. You might ask am I jet-setting to fabulous locations? Not exactly. Am I constantly traveling for work? Not as much as I used to. Am I just a glutton for punishment? Possibly.
The reality is this...myself and Mr Su live between two locations - London and the Middle East. I work with companies on three different continents. Add to that, I’m Irish and it’s important to me that I get to see my family regularly. All of these factors mean I’ve been racking up the airmiles and my bump has been to 10+ countries so far.
I’m no stranger to flying. I come from a family of aviation fanatics and traveling has featured in my job description for the past 10 years. Before falling pregnant, I wouldn’t think twice about taking a last minute trip on a whim - I couldn’t say no for fear of missing out on an adventure! This time last year, I flew London to LAX for 48 hours to go to Coachella (booked three days in advance I should add...) Oh, how times have changed!
Jumping on a plane was just something I would do without too much thought or planning. For me, it felt normal, even easy. In the early stages of pregnancy, I assumed that would remain the status quo until the latter half of the third trimester - let’s just say that was extremely naive of me!
When it comes to flying while pregnant, I’ve made plenty of miscalculations and errors of judgement along the way. The learning curve has been a steep one. As I near the end of this pregnancy and get ready to stay firmly on the ground for the next couple of months, I’ve been thinking about the ways in which I’ve had to change my approach to flying and the things I would do differently now. Here’s some of my top tips for Mammas-to-be taking to the skies:
Avoid taking flights at peak times when airports are most likely to be busy. If you’re not on a strict schedule, go ahead and take that mid-morning or mid-afternoon flight. Skip the early morning rush, the masses of people and the long queues at security. You can look at the departures schedule for your airport and see when outbound flights are at their busiest and most quiet. Opt for the latter and make the experience as calm as possible. The added bonus - flying at non-peak times is usually less expensive too!
Speaking of timing, avoid flying at ungodly hours if you can. Trust me, that 6am flight might seem doable when you’re booking it, but the reality is quite another story. Remember that you simply don’t have the same energy as usual and you’re likely to hit those walls of tiredness sooner and more frequently than you think, especially in the first and third trimesters. Ask yourself, is it really worth the 4am alarm or staying up all night?
Make your connections brief - If you need to take more than one flight, keep connections to a minimum. I’ve really learned this one the hard way…(more than once...) At the time of booking, I’d convince myself that a six hour stopover is totally doable because I’ll get so much work / writing / chilling done in between flights. Then the reality is I just want to get home and into my bed without delay. If a long connection is unavoidable, consider getting yourself access to an airport lounge, where you can at least carve out some space for yourself, charge your devices and maybe even get some shuteye.
Do your research in advance - most airports offer lounges you can pay to access. Some lounges are much better than others - so it pays to do your homework. Use websites like LougeBuddy to read the reviews and also to purchase your pass in advance (advance purchasing can be cheaper and is sometimes necessary in busier airports).
Make the time between flights as relaxing as possible. Opt for a lounge with good shower facilities, pack a change of clothes, toothbrush and whatever lotions and potions will help you freshen up. Clean teeth, fresh skin and a change of clothes go a long way when you’re traveling long-haul.
Have some options prepared for passing the time, bearing in mind you may be more tired than you think. A good book, some movies / TV shows downloaded, a notebook for jotting down your thoughts, adult colouring books, anything that doesn’t require too much exertion but will keep you distracted!
Plan your flight in advance. Now is the time to be an organised flyer and make sure you leave nothing to chance...otherwise you could find yourself stuck in a middle seat and hungry. Most airlines give you the option to select your seats ahead of time. If you’re like me, especially in the third trimester, the thought of not having quick access to the bathroom at all times gives me major palpitations. Select an aisle seat, with proximity to the bathroom. Depending on the airline and aircraft, some seats in each cabin are better than others and offer you more legroom and less noise. SeatGuru is my go to resource for helping me choose the best possible seat on my flight, whether I’m traveling business or economy.
Did you know that most airlines also give you the option to pre-order a meal now, or to select a meal based on your dietary preferences. If the thought of airplane food is making your stomach turn, look at the other options that might suit you better, such as vegetarian, light fare, even bland is an option on many menus now...not something to turn your nose up at if you’re feeling especially sensitive to certain food types.
Check a bag, don’t bring the kitchen sink and choose your luggage carefully. One of my pet peeves traveling before I was pregnant was having to check in a bag. I’m used to pushing the limits when it comes to timing and didn’t want wait around for bags on the other side. So I would cram as much as I possibly could into a carry on bag, plus handbag plus tote bag and lug all of them around the airport, through security, having to open and close them, all to save myself 30 minutes...not so smart on reflection :)
These days, I genuinely don’t think it’s worth it. Instead, I enjoy being almost hands-free and not running the risk of putting my back out trying to lift 10KG+ overhead. The pace is much more relaxing, as it should be for expectant Mammas.
In terms of carry-on baggage, I’ve got a whole lot more sensible with this too. Gone are the days of sporting a lopsided look with a heavy tote weighing me down. Today, it’s all about the compact backpack and/or bags with wheels. The less lifting you need to do, the better. My best luggage investment to date has been this Tumi backpack which stops me from over-packing but fits in all of my necessities.
But don’t forget to bring the essentials on board. Traveling light doesn’t mean you shouldn’t bring anything on board with you. There’s some essentials you simply shouldn’t be without - flight compression socks, plenty of water, and some of your favourite snacks. I always travel with a large scarf (my current favourite) to keep warm and cleansing pads (these tick so many boxes for me) I also find my skin just shrivels up at altitude these days so I make sure I pack a really hydrating lip balm (splurge vs. steal) and hand cream (my go-to).
I also find I’ve become much more of a germaphobe since getting pregnant. If I spot a stain, I could feel nauseous the whole flight so now I bring sanitizing wipes with me to clean the seat, tables screen, remote control, etc. Yes, I may look crazy sanitising my seat but hey! If you’re experiencing some of the other not so pleasant side effects of pregnancy such as heartburn, don’t forget to bring your antacids (once your doctor has OK’d them of course).
Make your time on board as relaxing as possible. Remember that you won’t have the luxury of traveling alone for much longer, so make the most of this time while you can. Get some much needed R&R - pack a nice eye-mask, bring some relaxation scents (I love this pulse point roller and this pillow spray), try out some meditation apps, bring your favourite (pregnancy-safe) herbal tea bags with you.
If you’re traveling on business and need to have some work prepared for the other side, try to do it before you get to the airport or before you get on board. Treat this time as your ‘me time’ and indulge yourself. It’s so seldom you can disconnect these days - take advantage of every possible moment Mamma!
You might even go so far as to upgrade yourself. With some advance planning, you can take advantage of upgrade deals. At a minimum, it’s worth considering investing in fast-track at the airport to help skip the queues.
Know your airline policies for traveling when pregnant. We all know there’s cut-off points after which airlines will no longer allow you to fly (labour in the sky anyone?!). However you may or may not know that after a certain number of weeks (usually 28 weeks but this varies by airline), you will need a to adhere to airline-specific policies for traveling and will most likely need some form of medical certificate completed by your consultant in order to be allowed to travel.
My big learning here was assuming that a doctor’s letter would be sufficient but in fact many airlines require you to have completed their specific version of a form, signed by your doctor in order to travel. Make sure you are familiar with your exact airline policies and give yourself enough time to get your letter / documents in order before you fly.
Keep your airline status. If you’re a frequent flyer and have loyalty status with an airline, did you know that many of those airlines will freeze your status and offer you an extension for part of or even sometimes the full duration of your maternity leave? This means you don’t lose your miles / status while you’re otherwise occupied with your new little bundle of joy. The best way to find out if this is an option for you is to contact the customer service team for your airline. It’s not guaranteed but it is worth a shot!
PS. If you don’t want to go for all out relaxation and complete zen, flying is the perfect time for some baby prep and admin. Take the time to do some reading up on parenting (here’s my current favourite), journal how you’re feeling about your pregnancy and motherhood, make your baby to-do list, work of your list of baby names, design your nursery and above all else, just relish the special 1:1 time you’re having with the little human inside that lovely tummy of yours!
I hope you’ll take some value from the things I’ve learned along the way.
Bon voyage Mamma!
Sx
Comments