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Showing posts with label farehawker online airline portal. Show all posts

Monday 29 August 2016

Expecting mothers - stay safe while flying

Motherhood- the most beautiful stage any woman experiences where care needs to be taken not only for the mother but for the child as well.
During pregnancy, your and your baby's health is of utmost importance. So there's no doubt in saying that expecting mothers will want 100 percent clarity on how to fly safely when carrying their precious load.
As long as you haven't experienced any complications, the safest time to fly when pregnant is during the second trimester. By this time, first trimester morning sickness is likely to have subsided, energy levels are higher and the risk of going into labour is low.
Commercial planes are fine but flying in smaller, non-pressurized planes is not recommended at any stage of your pregnancy as the lower oxygen levels may impact your baby.

Airlines have some restrictions regarding flying for pregnant women. Majority of airlines won't allow pregnant women to fly on a flight over four hours after 36 weeks. For flights under four hours, travel is often not permitted after 38 weeks. If you are 28 weeks or more, airlines will often ask you to present a letter from your doctor

An expectant mother in good health may be accepted for transportation up to and including the 32nd week of pregnancy.
At the time of making the bookings, if the pregnancy is advanced beyond 32 weeks and with the anticipation of normal delivery, the expectant mother be accepted for travel up to and including the 35th week of pregnancy, i.e., up to, at least 5 weeks prior to the expected date of confinement. A medical certificate from the attending obstetrician must be obtained stating that she is fit to travel.
If more than one month elapses between the date the booking is affected and the departure, a further certificate should be obtained, dated not more than 3 days, prior to departure.



Cases of multiple and complicated pregnancy should not be accepted after the 32nd week in the case of :
·         Multiple pregnancy which refers to twins, triplets etc.
·         Complicated pregnancy which refers to cases where on previous occasions a mother has experienced difficult and complicated delivery
In case of the pregnancy beyond 35 weeks, passenger may be accepted for transportation only on urgent or compassionate grounds, with the authority of the Executive Director - Medical Services, after filling the MEDIF form.

Wear maternity clothing:
 Maternity pants are most advisable as it gives you and your baby some room to move. But remember to wear your seat belt low and around the pelvis to reduce pressure on the baby.
When you're pregnant your veins and arteries are already under strain and the low cabin pressure won't help this. It's important to wear in-flight deep vein thrombosis socks and flexible shoes. Try to regularly stretch your limbs, exercises in your chair and remain well-hydrated.
Request for a special seat
Pregnant women are infamous bathroom-goers. To make getting up to go to the toilet easier, book an aisle seat.
If possible, request a seat with more leg room — or better still, pay extra and book a premium economy or business class ticket.
Lastly but most importantly, before flying during any stage of your pregnancy, consult your doctor to discuss any potential risks or concerns you may have. 


Please Note:
Post a normal delivery and in the absence of any complications, the mother would be permitted to fly 48 hours after delivery provided she has a 'Fitness-to-Fly' certificate from her treating obstetrician.
Post a Caesarean delivery, the mother would be permitted to fly one week after the delivery provided she has a 'Fitness-to-Fly' certificate from her treating obstetrician.
Infants less than 7 days old will not be permitted to undertake both domestic and international travel. However, in an exigency, wherein life saving treatment is mandatory for the infant, the mother may be permitted to fly with the infant, provided the new born is certified 'fit to fly', by the concerned pediatrician / treating neonatologist and is accompanied by at least an MBBS doctor.
'Fitness-to-Fly' certificate is valid for a period of 10 days from the date of issue. However, in case of any associated complications, the guest may be requested to produce a more recent certificate (within 48 hours).

Samhita Das