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Pregnancy and flying. Even if it does happen, birth is relatively rare in flight. Not wishing to take the least risk, airlines forbid pregnant women to fly beyond a certain number of weeks pregnancy. How many? Dr. Jean Mouchard replies... Question 1: Hello Dr. Mouchard, with the approach of the summer holidays, many people are preparing to fly, among them pregnant women; so, can you tell us what the regulations concerning the subject are, and if, and when, a pregnant woman can fly? ANSWER 1: Well, the first thing to say is that pregnancy is not an illness, so pregnant women can fly safely during the first and second quarters of pregnancy. The legislation states that a flight can even be undertaken until the 36th., week, but, from the 28th., week, with some companies, you need a certificate from a gyne-cologist or midwife attesting to the exact date of the future birth. Question 2: So, it’s necessary to arrive with a medical certificate. ANSWER 2: Absolutely, a certificate stating the date when the pregnancy is due to come to full term, in order to avoid the main risk which is a premature birth on-board. Question 3: Is it really the airlines that make the choice? ANSWER 3: Yes it’s they who make the choice; more precisely it’s the chief physicians of the companies that decide to take such precautions. Question 4: Why, what are the risks - a premature birth? ANSWER 4: Yes, it’s mainly that, the most important; to the extent that the conditions of confinement on board are not the best, as one can easily understand! Question 5: Can the ‘plane itself play a role in childbirth in flight; for example the pressurization or take-off? ANSWER 5: Not particularly, there’s no risk related to hypoxia (deprivation of adequate oxygen supply ) or pressurization; it’s more the approaching birth or anxiety of the woman in pregnancy that can cause premature phenomena. Question 6: Is one of the risks also phlebitis? RESPONSE 6: The risk of a pregnant woman is not related to anything other than her situation on-board, i.e., her seating badly in a relatively uncomfortable seat, and the lack of movement in women who have varicose veins or venous stasis, can cause phlebitis, which can, in turn, turn into a pulmonary embolism, and that’s very serious! Question 7: Before closing, a word about preconceived ideas; is a baby, born in flight, entitled to free transport for life from the company? 7 ANSWER: It depends on the company and its generosity. There are companies that actually offer completely free flights for children who were born on-board their planes! But in general, and more particularly, they are given the nationality of the company that welcomed the baby on-board! Question 8: In spite of everything, in-flight births do occur, not often, but it happens. 8 ANSWER: It IS very rare, because the companies do indeed take every precaution to avoid this inconvenience, which could give rise to difficulties for everyone concerned. Lufthansa has also carried out a study of this subject which shows that since 1950, there have been 15 children born on board! Question 9: That’s not many! 9 ANSWER: Very few! Thank you, Doctor Mouchard !
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Pregnancy and flying

02/07/2013

DESCRIPTION : Even if it does happen, birth is relatively rare in flight. Not wishing to take the least risk, airlines forbid pregnant women to fly beyond a certain number of weeks pregnancy. How many ? Why ? Dr. Jean Mouchard replies...

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