Flying while pregnant is something that a lot of people have to do regardless of whether they necessarily want to.  Although flying while pregnant may not be the most comfortable thing in the world, it’s not to say that it isn’t doable.

As long as you make sure that you take the right steps in order to ensure the most comfort possible, you can have a perfectly successful experience traveling as long as you are not past your doctor’s recommendation for maximum pregnancy term to fly. Here are some of the best tips when it comes to traveling while pregnant.

Wear Comfortable Clothing

Traveling is something that requires a lot of walking, changing locations, sitting down, getting up, transferring, and anything else that your travel day may involve.  It is important to make sure that you wear clothes which are suited for maximum comfort in order to avoid feeling constricted or bloated.  

You should wear pants which allow your stomach to rest naturally without being squeezed.   You should also wear loose shoes since when you fly your feet expand which can make the discomfort of your already swollen feet feel even worse.

Bring Snacks

Since pregnancy requires extra calories in order to provide the proper nutrients for your baby it is important to make sure that you are prepared when hunger strikes.  Food on airlines can be unpredictable.  You can never be sure exactly when the food will arrive or if it will arrive at all.

Some airlines no longer provide snacks or meals unless you pay for it on top of your ticket price.  Therefore, bringing extra food in your bag to have on hand in case you’re hungry suddenly is a great idea.  Rather than leaving yourself at the mercy of not knowing when the food card will roll past, you can rest assured knowing that you’ll have food if you need it.

Don’t Be Afraid To Ask For Help

Lifting your bags above your head to put into the storage compartments is not recommended during pregnancy.  Heavy lifting is something that could damage your baby and cause you serious injury, so asking for help is something that you should not hesitate to do.

Try asking fellow passengers if there are no flight attendants around.  Usually they will be more than obliged to help a pregnant woman out.

Bring An Extra Pillow

When you have a bulge on your stomach the size of a watermelon it can be frustrating trying to find a comfortable position.  Rather than suffering through the whole flight bring an extra pillow to use as support for your neck and back.

Get in all the extra rest you can manage before that newborn is on the outside!