If you are pregnant and wish to travel, you must consult with your doctor( either your GP or Obstetrician) to check there are no medical reasons to prevent you from flying and what vaccinations are required. This is especially important if your pregnancy is high risk or you have an increased risk of developing clots in the legs, also known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT). In general, the best time to travel in pregnancy is during the second trimester, between 14 and 28 weeks of pregnancy.

Important considerations before you travel

  • Check with individual airlines prior to booking regarding pregnancy and flying – some airlines won’t allow a woman over 35 weeks to fly at all, or they require a doctor’s note.
  • Make sure you are covered by ‘pregnancy related medical and travel insurance, especially for international travel- read the fine print.
  • Vaccinations required for travel to some destinations are not recommended in pregnancy-check with you doctor.
  • Long periods of not moving, such as long distance car or air travel increases the risk of the formation of a DVT. If you choose to travel long distance, you can take action to minimise the risk of developing a DVT.

 

Page last updated: July 1, 2024