It is safe for women with uncomplicated pregnancies to travel by air. However, if you have very bad morning sickness or there is a threat of miscarriage, your doctor may recommend that you should not fly in the first three months of pregnancy.
With the proper precautions such as travel insurance, most women can travel safely well into their pregnancy. Wherever you go, find out what healthcare facilities are at your destination in case you need urgent medical attention.
Most commercial airlines accept pregnant travellers up to 36 weeks if single pregnancy or up to 32 weeks if a multiple pregnancy. This is because labour is more likely after 37 weeks, or around 32 weeks if carrying an uncomplicated twin pregnancy.
While you are pregnant, you should not travel to areas where there is risk of malaria, including Africa, Asia, and Central and South America. If travel to these areas cannot be avoided, your ob-gyn or other health care professional may prescribe an antimalarial drug that is safe for pregnant women.
If you have evidence of another reason for visiting the U.S. or proof you will return before your child is born, bring it to your visa interview. If applying for a tourist visa for the purpose of seeking medical treatment in the U.S., that's still possible (for example, because you need specialized care).
Being born in the UK doesn't automatically make a baby a British citizen. The baby needs to have a parent with British citizenship or settled status in the UK in order to be British. If your baby isn't a British citizen, they can remain in the UK without making an immigration application.
Generally, commercial air travel before week 36 of pregnancy is considered safe if you have a healthy pregnancy.
Zika virus continues to be a concern in many parts of the world. Transmission can occur in most areas of the world where the mosquito Aedes aegypti, the principal vector, occurs. This means that there is the potential for transmission through much of the tropical and subtropical world and beyond.
Generally, women are not allowed to travel by air after 36 weeks for domestic travel, and after 28 to 35 weeks for international travel. The decision on whether to travel and how far to travel at any time during pregnancy should be a joint decision between you and your healthcare provider or midwife.
Most airlines won't let you fly if you're within about a month of your due date. Some will need a letter from your GP or midwife saying you're fit to fly when you're 7 months pregnant. Check with the airline before you book.
If you're pregnant and traveling before your 36th week, you can travel on a United flight without medical documentation. If you've reached your 36th week or after, you'll need an obstetrician's certificate — the original and two copies — stating that you're fit for air travel.
Pregnant travelers can generally travel safely with appropriate preparation. But they should avoid some destinations, including those with risk of Zika and malaria. Learn more about traveling during pregnancy and steps you can take to keep you and your baby healthy.
Being born in the UK doesn't automatically make a baby a British citizen. Nevertheless, tourists or non-resident women may choose to give birth in the UK for a number of reasons. Tourists and visitors on holiday in the UK are required to have medical insurance covering any health eventuality.
Everyone in the UK is entitled to NHS maternity care whatever their citizenship or immigration status is. Like NHS treatment generally, maternity care is free to those who are 'ordinarily resident' in the UK. This can include foreign nationals.
Telling the employer about the pregnancy
Employees must tell their employer about the pregnancy at least 15 weeks before the beginning of the week the baby is due. If this is not possible (for example because they did not know they were pregnant) the employer must be told as soon as possible.
Although most foods and beverages are perfectly safe to enjoy, some, like raw fish, unpasteurized dairy, alcohol, and high mercury fish, should be avoided. Plus, some foods and beverages like coffee and foods high in added sugar, should be limited in order to promote a healthy pregnancy.
Many women choose to delay announcing a pregnancy at least until the end of the first trimester (12 weeks into their pregnancy). This is usually because of concerns about the risk of miscarriage (pregnancy loss) during this time.
NHS testing for Zika virus is available only through the Rare and Imported Pathogens Laboratory (RIPL) at PHE Porton.
Pregnant women should NOT travel to areas with Zika outbreaks (red areas on the map). This is because Zika infection during pregnancy can cause serious birth defects.
Is my baby going to be ZAPPED by radiation if I walk through an airport screening machine? Not at all! All our machines receive a variety of tests to ensure they are safe. They DO NOT use X-rays to produce an image.
The first trimester is the most crucial to your baby's development. During this period, your baby's body structure and organ systems develop. Most miscarriages and birth defects occur during this period.
It's fine to fly in the third trimester but you're advised to do it before 37 weeks, or before 32 weeks in an uncomplicated twin pregnancy. That's because you could go into labour any time after those dates (RCOG, 2015).