Flying While Pregnant: What We Learned and the Best Products for Comfort

Every year, my wife and I try to take one big international trip from our home in Los Angeles, as well as a couple of small trips to visit family and friends in Chicago and Richmond, VA, since our family is scattered across the US. This year was a bit different because our international trip fell during the second trimester of my wife’s pregnancy, and we had a baby shower in Richmond at the beginning of the third trimester. We learned a few things along the way and discovered some amazing items to help alleviate any discomfort your pregnant partner may experience during the flight.

One personal note: as we ventured into the third trimester, longer flights became VERY uncomfortable for my wife, to the point where she experienced some muscle pain after our flight. This may not be everyone’s experience, but I thought it was worth noting if you're planning to fly during the third trimester. Stay tuned below for tips and products to help your flight experience go smoothly while your partner is pregnant.

Must-Have Products for Flying While Pregnant

Compression Socks: Check for specific sizing needs.
Travel Pillow: We haven’t had much success with neck wrap pillows, but this compact pillow worked wonders.
Water Bottle: Your partner needs 64–96 oz of water per day. This 40 oz bottle helps track water intake easily.
Snacks: My wife has been loving Kodiak protein bars. Pack a few since airport food can be expensive.
Maternity Belt: She didn’t use this specific one since we had a hand-me-down, but a belly belt can do wonders.

Is It Safe to Fly While Pregnant?

We spoke with our doctor about our travel plans early on, and she didn’t hesitate to tell us that air travel—and traveling in general—is perfectly safe at pretty much any point in pregnancy, with the exception of the final weeks. Discomfort is another story, but generally, you shouldn’t worry about air travel impacting your pregnant partner or baby. Always consult your doctor to make sure your situation isn’t unique, but, in general, it is perfectly safe to fly while pregnant.

My Partner’s Experience Flying While Pregnant

During the first and second trimesters, the major issues we were watching out for were swelling and dehydration. She did experience some swelling in her feet, but we were able to mitigate that with a good pair of compression socks. We also made sure she stayed hydrated throughout the flight by refilling a great water bottle we brought with us (see the “Must-Have Products” section for recommendations).

The third trimester was a bit different. The baby was MUCH bigger, making flights more uncomfortable for her. Sitting in narrow seats left my partner with some discomfort after our cross-country flight from Virginia to California. My advice is to have your partner get up and stand at regular intervals. I helped her stretch and sway in the aisle (without blocking others, of course), so the discomfort wasn’t as bad during the five-hour flight. Securing the aisle and middle seats is preferred, as this allows you to move freely. That way, if you need to get up and stretch or use the bathroom, you don’t have to continually ask someone to let you out.

Tips for Flying While Pregnant

Plan Ahead: Look for aisle seats, and notify the airline of the pregnancy if needed. Always check with your doctor to ensure there are no concerns.
Stay Hydrated and Eat Light: Pack snacks ahead of time and bring a good reusable water bottle.
Frequent Movement: Get up and move around when possible. Keeping her blood flowing and maintaining circulation will help alleviate any discomfort.
Compression Socks: A good pair of compression socks will help with swelling and circulation.
Comfortable Clothing: Encourage your partner to wear loose-fitting clothes. Airplane seats are notoriously cramped, so any extra comfort helps a lot.
Bathroom Access: Look for an aisle seat to make bathroom trips easier and avoid disturbing other passengers.

Final Thoughts

While there may be some concerns about flying while pregnant, you need not worry. In general, flying while pregnant is very safe and can happen at almost any point, except for the final weeks when you should stay near the hospital (around the 36-week mark). I’ve heard that some airlines may not allow pregnant women to fly after that point. I can’t speak from experience since our last flight was around 29 weeks, but as long as you're prepared with the information above, you should be on your way to a wonderful trip.

Did you have any issues or recommendations for air travel? Leave them in the comments below—I’d love to hear from you!