True or False: Flying During Pregnancy Is Unsafe for the Fetus
Heightened security is making air travel increasingly burdensome for even the most hardened business traveler. Terrorist threats notwithstanding, traveling by air remains a remarkably safe way to go given the obvious dangers of cruising atop multiple jet engines at 35,000 feet. But is it equally safe for everyone? One potentially vulnerable group of travelers is pregnant women and the fragile cargo they carry on board.
One of the health risks doctors caution pregnant travelers against is the lower cabin pressure and decreased oxygen levels during flights. Many doctors advise their patients to avoid flying at high altitudes in nonpressurized aircraft (especially those used for commuter flights), to minimize the possibility of miscarriage resulting from insufficient oxygen reaching the fetus. In fact, supplemental oxygen is often given to passengers who are experiencing complications in their pregnancy and still have to fly.
Another health concern is the risk to the fetus when pregnant women are exposed to cosmic radiation during high-altitude flights. While this may pose minimal risk for the occasional traveler, frequent flyers, including pilots and flight attendants, are often exposed to more intense levels of radiation. Some experts claim that the fetus’s exposure to in-flight radiation can result in birth defects and an increased risk of childhood cancer.
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.