The birth of a baby on an Air France flight — and in first class, no less — reminded us that it may be a rare event, giving birth on a plane does happen: Every year, a handful of babies are born midair. Some have been gifted free flights for life or a million airline miles just for having been born in flight. While flight attendants and crew are trained and prepared for the rare event when a woman gives birth midflight , most airlines understandably try to avoid the situation as much as possible.
However, with no official guidelines governing travel during pregnancy across the globe, every airline has different restrictions, timelines and requirements. The vast majority of airlines require a medical certificate from a primary attending doctor or midwife, certifying that the passenger is healthy and fit for travel during the final months of pregnancy, though even that varies with U. Before then, you are left to your own decision-making and the guidance of your medical team.
However, once you hit the 28th week or, potentially, look like you have hit the 28th week , some of the decisions on when and where you can fly are out of your hands — at least for international travel. Related: Guide to flying in each trimester of pregnancy. Airline policies differ, but if you may need documentation, it never hurts to include enough detail to satisfy the most stringent airline requirements.
If you may need documentation, then carry this certificate with you on your flight. Some airlines also may have their own documentation requirements.
See the chart below to find out which airlines require it. For domestic flights under 5 hours, travel within 7 days of due date or 7 days after birth requires special permission from an American Airlines special assistance coordinator. Infants are not permitted to travel within 48 hours after birth, and require medical clearance between days after birth. Infants are not permitted to travel within 7 days of birth without necessity, and only with prior medical clearance.
Uncomplicated multiple pregnancy permitted to travel with medical certificate until the 32nd week. Original certificate must be presented to airline at check-in; the other two copies must be kept on hand during travel. For flights shorter than four hours, travel is not permitted after 40 weeks of pregnancy 36 weeks if pregnant with multiples , or within 48 hours of normal vaginal delivery. Disclaimer: The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser.
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Skip to content. Advertiser Disclosure. Summer Hull. Can you fly while pregnant? A thorough medical certificate or waiver should state: The number of weeks of pregnancy The estimated delivery date Whether the pregnancy is single or multiple Whether there are any complications That you are in good health and fit to travel through the date of your final flight Additionally, the certificate should be: Written on official clinic or hospital letterhead if possible Signed by the doctor or attending midwife Be dated no later than 72 hours of departure date Be written in clear, simple English If you may need documentation, then carry this certificate with you on your flight.
A Medical Information Form dated within 7 days of departure is needed if you are in the last 4 weeks of pregnancy, you have a medical complication related to your pregnancy or you are having twins. Requires medical certificate dated within 7 days of departure date that lists your due date American Airlines No restrictions Travel permitted; requires medical certificate beginning 4 weeks before your due date For international travel, or travel over water, clearance from a special assistance coordinator is required, as well as a medical certificate dated within 48 hours of departure date.
For domestic flights under 5 hours, travel within 7 days of due date or 7 days after birth requires special permission from an American Airlines special assistance coordinator British Airways No restrictions but recommend that you carry a letter stating whether your pregnancy is single or multiple, expected due date and that there are no complications. Travel not permitted after the end of the 32nd week if pregnant with multiple babies. Travel not permitted after the end of the 36th week if pregnant with one baby.
Cathay Pacific Travel permitted; for pregnancies with known complications, passengers must complete a Cathay medical form no less than 48 hours before travel and receive clearance from the airline to travel. New mom Nafi Diaby and her daughter are said to be in good health after Diaby delivered her baby on a Turkish Airlines flight on Friday.
If you're thinking about flying in your third trimester, know that it can be risky—you could develop a blood clot and, if there are labor complications, you may not have proper medical support. The crew delivered the baby girl, who was named Kadiju, as Diaby laid across a row of seats. Turkish Airlines tweeted congratulations to the new family along with photos of their crew holding baby Kadiju. This was the hardest part. I had to grab the baby.
I took her and gave her to the mother. ACOG says that it's considered safe for pregnant women to fly before 36 weeks but notes that they should use their seat belts at all times due to the risk for trauma from turbulence. The restriction is less about the actual flying than it is about timing, experts say.
Yvonne Bohn, M. It's often benign. Postpartum diarrhea after a C-section is normal. Sharing our experiences of pregnancy and infant loss can help us heal. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Flying while pregnant. What are the policies on different airlines? Long-distance travel during pregnancy. DVT, flying, and pregnancy. Are metal detectors safe during pregnancy? Tips for safe travel during pregnancy. The takeaway. Parenthood Pregnancy Pregnancy Health. Common Concerns During Pregnancy.
Read this next. Medically reviewed by Seunggu Han, M. Medically reviewed by William Morrison, M. Medically reviewed by Nicole Galan, RN. Medically reviewed by Fernando Mariz, MD. Air China.
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