Ask Captain Lim

Dear Captain Lim,

My husband and I have booked a trip to the Bahamas six months ago. Then I got pregnant and I*m five months along right now.

I know it's relatively safe to fly on a commercial pressurized airplane; however, there is a 30-minute flight between Florida and the island, which I imagine, will be in a non pressurized airplane. Do you think it's safe for me to take this flight?

Thank you for your input!

Kathleen

Dear Kathleen,

The general rule for the carriage of expectant mother in a pressurized commercial airplane is that no medical certificate is required if she is below the 28th week of her pregnancy unless it falls between the 28th and 35th week. So it is safe for you to fly during your pregnancy if it falls during the period when no medical examination is necessary.

Airlines are generally more concerned about the possibility of pregnant passengers giving birth during mid-flight rather than them developing a medical problem that would affect their pregnancies. However, if you do have some medical complications recently (heavy bleeding, threatened miscarriage or high blood pressure) it is recommended that you consult a doctor for your own safety prior to the flight.

If you have to fly on a non-pressurized airplane between Florida and the Bahamas, I would suggest that you also see a doctor first. Depending on how high the plane flies (maximum is 10,000 feet without oxygen) there is a possibility of reduced oxygen level in a non-pressurized plane. This can affect the mother and baby. Yes, many doctors have advised expectant mothers to avoid flying at high altitudes in non-pressurized aircraft to minimize the possibility of miscarriage resulting from insufficient oxygen reaching the fetus

If your flight is going to be around 5000 feet for duration of 30 minutes, I believe it would not be a problem. (Many pregnant mothers have been driving in cities located at 5000 feet altitude and feel no ill effect!)