Korean Job Discussion Forums

[pangaea]

I am due to fly home in early July when I will be about 8-9 weeks pregnant. It's a 14 hour flight from here to the US. I am beginning to get worried about the flight, especially if I have several plane changes. Some of what I've read says it's safe to fly during the first trimester, while I have read some information that links flying during the first trimester with a risk of miscarriage. My contract is finished at the end of this month and I can't stay at the same job. I really want to get home soon so I can get established in a job and a home before the baby comes. I don't think I can stay here an extra six weeks without a job before flying home. Just wondering if any other ladies here have flown internationally while in the first trimester and if you have any tips. I'm beginning to get really anxious.

[taobenli]

I was always under the impression that the reason flying (especially long distances) wasn't recommended during the first trimester was morning sickness and other discomfort along those lines, not because of danger to you and the baby. Sometimes high elevations can increase nausea, and you need to be careful to stay hydrated. I mean, there is always a risk of miscarriage the first trimester (no matter what you're doing), but you can't live life in a plastic bubble. The majority of miscarriages occur because the body recognizes something (congenitally) wrong with the fetus, not because of anything you do. It seems like it's important for you to go home around that time, and so you should just do what you need to do and not worry too much about it.

There are a few things you're absolutely not supposed to do the first trimester- exposing the fetus to really hot water (in hot tubs or saunas, etc.) is one. (And even then this is one of those things that has no guarantees- the hot water may pose no problem and may interfere with development- it's discouraged because it's an unknown). But I really don't think flying is one of those things. I flew early in my second trimester, and while I was slightly nervous about needing medical attention while in the air, it was no problem. I am so happy that I took the trip, because it was a great vacation, and now that I am nearing the end of my pregnancy can't fly anywhere!

[pangaea]

Thanks for the response. I am starting to calm down now. That post was written in a moment of panic when I was reading things online and becoming more and more upset. I've decided to just stop reading things online and use common sense. I will try to stay hydrated, wear compression stockings, and make sure I get up to walk around on the plane every now and then. Really, a flight isn't all that strenuous. Of course, I'll have to ask for help with lifting my bags but that should be easy to come by. I think I've managed to get pregnant at the most complicated time possible but I am trying to stay calm and manage things as well as possible. Staying anxious and upset all the time isn't good for me or the baby.

Congratulations and good luck with your new baby! When are you due?

[eperdue4ad]

Just trying to save you a little discomfort-- compression stockings are totally unnecessary this early. You won't swell to the point of discomfort until much later.

Wear them if you want (anybody's feet can swell a bit during a long haul flight), but personally I think the discomfort of hot, tight stockings would be worse. I'd do lots of H2O and begin a low-salt diet a day or two before.

I've flown a lot during 2 pregnancies-- it's not bad until the end of trimester 3.

[taobenli]

I'm due mid-August. I've vowed several times not to look at information online anymore because I kept scaring myself, but I keep breaking my own rules and looking anyway! I tend to think we're so flooded with information that it's much easier to put yourself in a panic all the time now than it used to be. I think if people use common sense and focus on knowing and taking cues from your own body, the vast majority of pregnancies will go fine. Unless one is engaging in really risky behaviors I try to tell myself that the body knows what to do...

I bought compression stockings when I traveled in April (was about 6 months at that point). I think they did help, as my blood pressure was a little high at that point and I was worried about swelling. But they were NOT comfortable and I think I probably could have saved myself the 50,000 won they cost. The flight back was considerably longer than the flight there (due to wind patterns) and I got so fed up with them I actually took them off in the bathroom with about 2 hours to go of the flight.

[pangaea]

Yeah, I don't think they sound comfortable at all, but I read that my heart and lungs will be working extra hard because of the lower pressure during flight. Maybe I'm just being paranoid. I just want to do anything I can to minimize the effects of such a long flight on my pregnancy. When I got to the airport in Incheon after my flight from the US, my feet were swollen to three times their normal size. It was really uncomfortable and the swelling took a few days to go down.

[methdxman]