indigo pregnant woman travel

5 KEY Tips for Travelling during pregnancy by air in India

The other day I was talking to one of my friends who is expecting and we were discussing about the different airline guidelines during pregnancy by air tarvel in India. While talking to her, I recollected the time when I was pregnant with my son in 2018. When I was in my 28th week, I had to plan an unavoidable air travel from Mumbai to our hometown, Chandigarh. It took me a lot of time, banging my head on one website and another, to plan my pregnancy travel by air. I never though that it will be so difficult for pregnant women.

Through that exhaustive research I was able to help my friend. That’s when it struck me to compile all the information for every expecting mom who is planning to travel by air. Reason could be anything. While tech has kept us connected to each other but sometimes flying becomes inescapable. At times that implies to even a Babymoon away with your better half or an outing to a place that has constantly been on your bucket list. At that point flying is something you’ve got to do.

Regardless of whether you’re travelling during pregnancy on a short flight or preparing for a long stretch flight, I have tips on what to pack, how to experience security peacefully and what you have to know as far as safety is concerned.

At the point when you’re pregnant, travelling can be overwhelming, however trust me – it’s absolutely feasible if you plan properly. When I was researching about air travel during pregnancy, I found out that all the information was available in bits and pieces and few information you only get post experiencing it. I don’t want you guys to go through the same and I have penned it down for all you guys. For I have been in the same boat as you, I absolutely  understand how you feel.

So here is sharing some handy and useful tips to make your pregancy by air travel experience easier.

COVID19 GUIDELINES

Kindly click here to download COVID19 guidelines for air travel in India as issued by Ministry of Civil Aviation for Air travel. Follow the same to have safe travel. COVID19 guidelines for air travel are also availble on their website: Ministry of Civil Aviation, India .

TIP #1 – KNOW WHEN CAN YOU FLY AND WHAT YOUR INSURANCE COVERS!

In the first, second, or third trimester? You’re presumably pondering when it’s ideal to fly.

• For some people, the principal (1st) trimester is more troublesome due to morning sickness. Regardless of whether it’s due to food repugnance or motion sickness, flying can surely fuel that up further.
• Primary (1st) trimester comes with a higher danger risk of miscarriage. So there is a need to be super extra careful if planning a travel during 1st trimester.
• In case you’re arranging a Babymoon, unquestionably, hold up until you’re well and reach the subsequent (2nd) trimester. It makes you feel more relaxed healthwise. Most importantly, don’t forget to consult your travel plans with your doctor well in advance.

You may likewise need to check airline rules.

• Numerous air carriers won’t let you fly following 28 weeks without a note from your physician, while numerous travel insurance companies, won’t cover up any retractions after your 32nd week (24 weeks for multiples).
• If you need to fly late in your maternity, I suggest having your primary care physician’s consent and have supporting records printed and prepared, just in case you’re asked or questioned at check-in.
• In case you’re travelling international, check the arrival country’s regulations for admitting pregnant ladies. Ensure that you’re mindful of what clinical administrations they can provide. 

DOMESTIC FLIGHT RULES FOR TRAVELLING DURING PREGNANCY BY AIRLINES IN INDIA

(for major cariers)

Since all suppliers are separate entities , it is vital that you read the fine print from your insurance providers (including the one given by credit cards and airlines) when travelling during maternity.

• Multiple insurance companies do not cover the event of premature birth or if your baby requires time in a NICU abroad as it could be viewed as a “pre existing condition.”
• You additionally need to understand what your cancellation policy is for the trip, just for the off chance that keeps you from taking the trip.

TIP #2 – BUDGET FOR EXTRA TIME AT CHECK IN

There’s nothing more regrettable than feeling hurried and on the edge when you’re travelling during pregnancy..

In case you’re somebody who is typically fine with showing up at the air terminal 45 minutes before your flight, stretch that to one and a half hour to two hours.

• This will give you an opportunity to discover somebody who can help you with your baggage, handle any surprising inquiries at check in and respond to gate changes appropriately.
• This is particularly pivotal in case you’re pregnant AND travelling with another baby.
• Showing up well before the time allows for multiple restroom breaks, spills and a truly necessary embrace from a friendly stranger or airline staff members.

TIP #3 – MAKE YOURSELF COMFORTABLE AT SECURITY

Many of us are concerned about going through screening technology or taking off our shoes in airport security.

• While all the modern scanners are built on Millimeter – Wave Body technology which is safe for all passengers including expecting females.
• It’s alright to request a physical search in case you’re not happy. At the point when you’re pregnant, you simply need to do what keeps you at ease.
• To comfort you more, the multiple manufacturers have clarified that the Advanced Imaging Technology and stroll through metal indicator frameworks don’t utilize X-beams to create the picture, yet rather use non-ionizing electromagnetic waves that are reflected off the body.

TIP #4 – HELP! HELP! HELP!

Generally, individuals love helping pregnant ladies. There is something about carrying a newborn which seems to make people warmer and kinder, and it’s something you ought to thoroughly acknowledge with great enthusiasm.

One of the off chance that you need assistance getting a thing in or out of the overhead compartment, simply let an airline steward know. Same goes for huge packs when travelling globally.

TIP #5 – DRINK WATER &  EAT HEALTHY

At the point when you’re pregnant your child is actually and metaphorically draining the life out of you.

• At this point when you’re flying, you’re increasingly prone to dehydration so DRINK WATER.
• You may consider bringing an electrolyte substitution (ORS) drink on long stretch flights.
• Additionally pack sound tidbits like carrot sticks, apple cuts and almonds to keep you satisfied.
• In case you have nausea or have flying sickness, converse with your primary care physician about the prescriptions to take while on the way to your destination.

BONUS TIP – HOW & WHAT TO PACK!

Utilize a rucksack for a carry-on. This will help uniformly distribute the weight across your back and spare your sore body while trekking through the terminal.

• As far as garments, I think most of the women loves wearing something a bit sporty or free and flowy.
• Many ladies select leggings, however ensure they don’t cut into the center of your belly or in the rear of your knees.
• Circulation is required when you’re pregnant, so dress in things that let the blood stream!
• Change of garments
• Pressure socks (particularly if you’ve been encountering swollen feet.
• Huge sweater that can serve as a cover if necessary
• Carrot sticks
• Lemon cuts (in case you need to tackle nausea)
• You may likewise need to pack your own dinner as plane food can be dehydrating
• All Documents – fit to fly certificates
• To wrap things up – a novel or podcast or online series or movies on Prime or Netflix that you can dive into!

So these were the tips which you can keep handy whenever planning an air travel during pregnancy. You can also share these with someone known who might find these useful.

Hope the tips will help you to have a comfortable journey. Wish you a safe travel! 

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Flying While Pregnant? Check Out the Policies on 25 Global Airlines

In the absence of obstetric or medical complications, occasional air travel during pregnancy is generally safe, according to the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology  (ACOG). Like other travelers, pregnant women should use seat belts while seated. 

Most commercial airlines allow pregnant women to fly up to 36 weeks of gestation, with some restrictions on international flights. 

ACOG does not recommend air travel for pregnant women with medical or obstetric conditions that may be exacerbated by flight or that could require emergency care. It advises checking flight durations when planning travel and that the most common obstetric emergencies occur in the first and third trimesters.

Once aboard a flight, conditions including changes in cabin pressure and low humidity, coupled with the physiologic changes of pregnancy, do result in adaptations, including increased heart rate and blood pressure, reports ACOG. And those traveling on long-haul flights face the risks associated with immobilization and low cabin humidity. This can cause issues such as lower extremity edema and venous thrombotic events.

ACOG recommends preventive measures to minimize these risks, including the use of support stockings, regular movement of the lower extremities, avoid wearing restrictive clothing and encourage regular hydration. It also advises against consuming gas-producing foods or drinks before a flight.

Other ways for pregnant women to be comfortable on their flights include: booking a bulkhead seat for more legroom; reserving an aisle seat for easy access to lavatories and to walk; elevating your legs on a carry-on bag to avoid swelling and cramps; and wearing a layered, comfortable outfit for changing cabin temperatures.

Airlines around the world have different rules and regulations on when and how long pregnant women can fly. Below are the policies from 25 airlines around the world.

The French flag carrier does not require pregnant women to carry a medical certificate for travel during pregnancy. It recommends avoiding travel in the final month of pregnancy, as well as during the first seven days after delivery. The airline also recommends expecting mothers seek their doctor's opinion before traveling.

India’s flag carrier allows expectant mothers in good health to fly up to and including their 27th week of pregnancy. After 27 weeks, if the pregnancy is anticipated to be a normal delivery, an expectant mother will be accepted for travel up to the 35th week, but a medical certificate confirming the mother is fit to travel is required by an attending obstetrician and dated within three days of travel.

Air New Zealand

For single, uncomplicated pregnancies and clearance from a doctor or midwife women can take flights more than four hours up to the end of their 36th week. For flights under four hours, it's up to the end of the 40th week. Women pregnant with twins can fly more than four hours up to their 32nd week and less than four hours until the 36th week.

The airline recommends that women past their 28th week carry a letter from a doctor or midwife that says you are fit for travel, confirming your pregnancy dates and that there are no complications.

The airline's medical team must offer clearance for women experiencing the following: a complicated pregnancy, such as placenta previa or bleeding; a multiple pregnancy; a history of premature labor; or have begun the early stages of labor. 

Italy's flag carrier has no travel restrictions for expectant mothers during the first eight months of pregnancy. But if traveling within the last four weeks of pregnancy, expecting multiple births, or having a complicated pregnancy, medical clearance is required. Completion of a Medical Information Form, MEDIF , prior to travel and signed by both the passenger and doctor is required.

Alitalia advises pregnant not to fly seven days prior to and seven days after giving birth, or if there is a risk of a premature birth or other complications. It will make staff available to escort pregnant women from the airport check-in counter to the boarding gate. Staff onboard the flight will help stow carry-on luggage. Seats can be pre-assigned and women cannot sit in an exit row.

All Nippon Airways

The Japanese carrier requires women within 15 to 28 days of their due date to fill out and carry a medical information form . Women within 14 days of their due date are required to have a medical form and travel with a doctor. The form must indicate there are no complications of pregnancy, that the passenger has no health problems preventing them from flying and the due date. It must be completed by a doctor and submitted no more than seven days prior to departure.

American Airlines

The Fort Worth-based carrier has different rules for international and domestic flights. If a due date is within four weeks of a flight, you must provide a doctor’s certificate stating that you’ve been recently examined and you’re fit to fly. For domestic flights under five hours, pregnant women won’t be permitted to travel within seven days (before and after) their delivery date. Those who need travel within this timeframe will need approval from a physician and help from a special assistance coordinator . The pregnant woman's physician will be required to fill out a passenger medical form before a flight. A special assistance coordinator will send the form directly to your physician.

Clearance from a special assistance coordinator is required for international travel or travel over water. Within four weeks of a due date also requires a physician's note stating that you’ve been examined within the past 48 hours and you’re fit to fly. And seven days before or after delivery also requires a passenger medical form to be completed by your physician.

British Airways

The U.K. carrier does not allow pregnant women to fly after the end of the 36th week if you are pregnant with one baby or the end of the 32nd week if you are pregnant with more than one baby. While it isn't mandated, British Airways recommends all expecting mothers carry a confirmation from a doctor or midwife, such as a letter or certificate, in addition to your pregnancy record. It should be written within seven days prior to travel and confirm your approximate due date, that you're fit to travel and that there are no complications with your pregnancy.

Cathay Pacific

 Hong Kong's flag carrier requires that women with pregnancies after 28 weeks carry a medical certificate, dated within 10 days of travel that states the following: 

• single or multiple pregnancy
• estimated week of pregnancy
• expected due date 
• certifying you are in good health and the pregnancy is progressing normally, without complications
• that you are fit to travel

The airline accepts pregnant women with uncomplicated single pregnancies to travel up to 36 weeks and uncomplicated multiple pregnancies up to 32 weeks.

Delta Air Lines

The Atlanta-based carrier does not impose restrictions on flying for pregnant women, so a medical certificate is not required to travel. But the airline will not waive ticket change fees and penalties for pregnancy. The airline recommends that those flying after their eight month should check with their doctor to be sure travel is not restricted.

The U.K.-based airline has no restrictions for pregnant passengers traveling up to the end of the 35th week of single pregnancies and the end of the 32nd week for multiple pregnancies.

Pregnant women can travel up to their 29th week without a medical certificate. After that, they require a certificate or letter signed by a qualified doctor or midwife that states whether the pregnancy is single or multiple, is progressing without complications, includes an estimated due date, that you are in good health and there's no known reason to prevent you from flying. Pregnant passengers are not allowed to fly after the 32nd week of a multiple pregnancy, and after the 36th week of a single pregnancy.

This Abu Dhabi-based carrier allows women with single or multiple pregnancies to travel during the first 28 weeks without a medical certificate. For single pregnancies between 29 and 36 weeks, a medical certificate is required. After 37 weeks, pregnant women will not be allowed to travel. For multiple pregnancies, a certificate is required between the 29th and 32nd week; after that, women will not be allowed to travel.

The medical certificate must include the following: 

• Be issued and signed by a doctor or midwife
• Written on a clinic/hospital letterhead and/or stamped by the doctor or midwife
• State that the guest is fit to fly
• State if the pregnancy is single or multiple
• State the number of weeks of pregnancy and the Expected Date of Delivery 
• Easily understood and written in Arabic or English. Other languages are accepted but must be verified by Etihad Airways' check-in staff

The original medical certificate shall be accepted for the whole journey (originating, return and stopover flights), provided the above validity criteria is met for each sector. And it is valid for three weeks from the date of issue.

The New York-based carrier does not allow pregnant customers expecting to deliver within seven days to travel unless they provide a doctor's certificate dated no more than 72 hours prior to departure stating that the woman is physically fit for air travel to and from the destinations requested on the date of the flight and that the estimated date of delivery is after the date of the last flight.

The Dutch flag carrier recommends pregnant mothers not fly after the 36th week, along with the first week following delivery. For those expecting more than one baby, the carrier recommends consulting with a physician prior to flying. If you have had complications, you always need to have permission to fly from your physician.

Expectant mothers with complication-free pregnancies can fly on the German flag carrier until the end of the 36th week of pregnancy or up to four weeks before their expected due date without a medical certificate from a gynecologist. But the airline recommends that pregnant women beyond the 28th week have a current letter from a gynecologist that includes confirmation that the pregnancy is progressing without complications and the expected due date. The doctor should expressly state that the patient’s pregnancy does not prevent her from flying.

Because of the increased risk of thrombosis during pregnancy, the airline does recommend that expectant mothers wear compression stockings while flying.

Malaysia Airlines

The Malaysian flag carrier requires medical clearance for expectant mothers approaching 35 weeks for international travel or 36 weeks for domestic travel. If medical clearance is required, the MEDIF application form should be completed by a doctor and submitted to the airline through its ticketing offices or travel agents at least five working days before traveling.

Philippine Airlines

An expectant mother who is in normal health and with no pregnancy complications will be allowed to fly after filling out an EMIS form . Pregnant women may be accepted for travel if they are not beyond 35 weeks when they fill out Part One of the EMIS form. Those between 24 and 32 weeks of pregnancy will have to fill out EMIS Form Part 2. And if the expectant mother is below 21 years of age, the consent in writing of the husband, parent or guardian must be secured. For expectant mothers beyond 32 weeks of pregnancy, EMIS Part 3 must be accomplished by the Flight Surgeon or Company Physician, who shall issue the clearance for travel

After the 28th week, women are required to have a certificate or letter from a registered medical practitioner or registered midwife confirming the delivery date, whether it's a single or multiple pregnancy and that the pregnancy is routine.

For flights longer than four hours, women can fly up to the end of the 36th week for single pregnancies and the end of the 32nd week for multiple pregnancies. For flights under four hours, women can travel up to the end of the 40th week for single pregnancies and the end of the 36th week for multiple pregnancies. The carrier requires medical clearance  if there are pregnancy complications or it's not a routine pregnancy.

Qatar Airways

 No doctor's note is required for women traveling through their 28th week of pregnancy. Expectant mothers can fly between week 29 and week 32 with a doctor's note and a pregnancy with no complications. Those with a multiple pregnancy will need a doctor's note and a  Medical Information Form (MEDIF) . Between weeks 33 and 35, women will need a doctor's note and a MEDIF. The airline does not accept women in their 36th week and beyond.

 The low-cost Irish carrier allows expectant mothers to fly up to their 28th week of pregnancy. After that, the airline requires women to have a ‘fit to fly’ letter from their midwife or doctor. For an uncomplicated single pregnancy, travel is not permitted beyond the end of the 36th week of pregnancy, while the cut-off for an uncomplicated multiple pregnancy is 32 weeks. 

Singapore Airlines

For uncomplicated single pregnancies, the carrier restricts expectant mothers from travelling beyond the 36th week of pregnancy; for uncomplicated multiple pregnancies, the restriction is the 32nd week.

For uncomplicated single pregnancies between 29 weeks and 36 weeks, expectant mothers must provide a medical certificate stating the following: (1) fitness to travel, (2) number of weeks of pregnancy and (3) estimated date of delivery. The certificate should be dated within ten days of the date of the first flight exceeding 28 weeks of pregnancy. This certificate will have to be presented at check-in when requested.

Southwest Airlines

The Dallas-based carrier advises expectant mothers at any stage of pregnancy to consult with their physicians prior to air travel. The airline recommends against air travel beginning at the 38th week of pregnancy. It warns that in some cases, traveling by air has been known to cause complications or premature labor. Depending on their physical condition, strength, and agility, pregnant women may, in some cases, be asked not to sit in the emergency exit row.

Turkish Airlines

Turkey's flag carrier allows mothers pregnant with one child to travel between the 28th and 35th week if they have a doctor's report that includes the phrase, “There is no particular reason for the patient not to fly.” For women pregnant with more then one baby, the travel cut-off is the end of the 31st week with a doctor's report. The report has to be no more than seven days from the travel date. 

United Airlines

Any woman in the first 36 weeks of pregnancy will be allowed to travel on the Chicago-based carrier without medical documentation. An expectant mother traveling after the 36 weeks of pregnancy must have the original and two copies of an obstetrician’s certificate, which must be dated within 72 hours of a flight’s departure. The original certificate should be submitted to a United representative at check-in.

Virgin Atlantic

 The London-based airline allows travel without restrictions until the 28th week of pregnancy provided that you're free from complications to that point. The carrier asks pregnant mothers to inform its Special Assistance department so they can offer appropriate inflight health advice. Between the 28th and 36th weeks of pregnancy, a doctor's or midwife's certificate is required, stating that the passenger is safe for travel and the expected due date (32 weeks if carrying multiples in an uncomplicated pregnancy). Beyond the 36th week of pregnancy, travel is only permitted for medical/compassionate reasons and the pregnant passenger is required to be accompanied by a medical escort. This travel is subject to the approval of a Virgin Atlantic doctor.

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Woman Gives Birth Midair on India Flight

This gives a whole new meaning to the phrase "baby on board."

An IndiGo flight headed from Delhi to Bangalore on Wednesday landed with one extra passenger when a pregnant woman gave birth to a baby boy in the air.

"We are overjoyed to welcome baby Bakshi to the world at 30,000 feet in our lean, clean flying machine!!" IndiGo wrote in a post on LinkedIn accompanied by photos of the cabin crew holding the newborn. "Both the mother and baby are doing fine and we send them our best wishes."

According to the Indian newspaper Deccan Herald , the passenger started experiencing labor pains an hour into the nearly three-hour flight, and a cabin announcement was made asking for medical assistance.

Thankfully, per reports and fellow passengers on Twitter, a doctor on the flight immediately sprung into action, and flight attendants "acted fast to set up a mini-hospital of sorts within minutes."

Following the baby's cries, the plane reportedly broke out into applause.

"Was on @IndiGo6E 122 flight to BLR, woman gives birth mid-indiair [sic], amazing team work of indigo [sic] flight attendants," one passenger recounted on Twitter. "They setup [sic] a hospital in minutes and the new born cried midair. Dr. Shailaja Vallabhani was fortunately on this flight! Thank you god n [sic] entire @IndiGo6E crew."

Upon landing at Kempegowda International Airport in Bangalore, mom and baby were met with more applause by employees on the ground and a welcome sign as they were transported to a medical facility inside the airport.

Sources told India Today that the baby may be offered free IndiGo tickets for life.

The expecting mother was said to have been OK to fly as she was reportedly 32 weeks along — a few weeks shy of IndiGo's 36-week cutoff .

IndiGo did not respond to Travel + Leisure 's request for comment immediately.

Christine Burroni is Travel + Leisure’s digital news editor. Find her keeping up with just about everything on Twitter or see what she’s up to in NYC or on her latest trip on Instagram.

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Travelling during pregnancy? Here are some tips to ensure your safety

Several airlines have specific guidelines for expectant mothers choosing to travel via flight. some airlines permit pregnant mothers to fly till the end of 32 weeks of pregnancy..

Here are some things that expectant mothers need to keep in mind while travelling.

Travelling is safe as long as the expectant mother does not have complications in her pregnancy. Even then, travelling during pregnancy involves a lot of precautions and safety measures to avoid any kind of mishap. Here are some tips that can help pregnant women travel safely.

See your doctor before travelling

Before booking the tickets, an expectant mother should consult her doctor and ensure she is fit for travelling. If one is prone to motion sickness, one should opt for nausea remedies or any other medication that one might need for the journey.

Be prepared

Before heading out, the expectant mother should put on a comfortable maternity dress and footwear. Do not forget to carry the required medicines, a copy of your prenatal chart, a pillow and a list of emergency contact numbers, among other essential items.

What foods to avoid

Avoid consuming gassy foods and carbonated drinks before and during the journey or it can cause the intestinal gas to expand and result in discomfort.

Leave early

Travel anxiety and stress is the last thing pregnant women should be subjected to. In this case, it is best to reach the airport or railway station early. Any form of hurry can put the expectant mother at risk of hurting herself.

Don’t lift heavy luggage

Expectant mothers should avoid lifting heavy luggage so that they don’t hurt their back.

Travel by flight

Several airlines have specific guidelines for expectant mothers choosing to travel via flight. Some airlines permit pregnant mothers to fly till the end of 32 weeks of pregnancy. Air India, for instance, mentions in its website, “an expectant mother in good health may be accepted for transportation up to and including the 32nd week of pregnancy.” The airline also makes an exception for advanced pregnancy beyond 32 weeks with anticipation of normal delivery, whereby “the expectant mother will be accepted for travel up to and including the 35th week of pregnancy, i.e., up to, at least five 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.” Cases of multiple and complicated pregnancy, however, are not accepted after the 32nd week.

Airlines like IndiGo or SpiceJet, on the other hand, allows expectant mothers till the end of 36 weeks of pregnancy, on showing a Fit to Fly certificate (dated not more than one or two weeks before the date of travel) obtained from the treating obstetrician, for travel between the 28th and 36th week.

Pregnant women usually frequent toilets which is why it is best to take the aisle seat in a flight. One can also book a special seat with more leg room to ensure a comfortable journey.

When onboard, keep yourself hydrated by drinking fluids. In case of a long-haul journey, taking a walk from time to time or flexing and extending ankles is advisable to ensure proper blood circulation.

Also Read: How to manage infants on long-haul flights

Travel by car

Shorter journeys are always preferable for pregnant women. In case the journey is too long, take a few breaks in between. Stretch your limbs for proper circulation in the body. If you are wearing a seat belt, fasten it around the hips to avoid undue pressure on the abdomen.

Travel by train

Hire a porter if you have a heavy bag or you need to carry your luggage for a significant distance up to the platform. Avoid getting down at halt stations each time. Try and book the lower berth in the train for greater ease in movement. And if you are taking a trip to the toilet, be careful about maintaining balance in the train.

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Flying while pregnant? Here’s what you need to know

Editors note: This guide has been updated with the latest information.

During pregnancy, seemingly harmless things like eating deli meat and cleaning your cat's litter box are suddenly off-limits, along with more obvious restrictions on sports like skiing and scuba diving.

But what about "grey area" activities like flying in an airplane?

There's no single set of guidelines governing air travel during pregnancy and every airline has different restrictions, timelines and requirements. Some airlines may also require a medical certificate from a primary attending doctor or midwife for air travel during the final months of pregnancy, though even that varies, with U.S. airlines typically offering more flexibility than international carriers.

For more TPG news delivered each morning to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter .

In the absence of clear guidelines, TPG turned to Dr. Nithya Gopal , a board-certified OB-GYN physician and the Director of OB-GYN services at Viva Eve in New York City, for her expert recommendations on safe air travel during pregnancy.

Here's what she had to say:

Is it safe to fly when you are pregnant?

There is no evidence of adverse pregnancy outcomes due to flying, according to Dr. Gopal.

"The general consensus is that it is safest to fly in the first and second trimesters," Dr. Gopal told The Points Guy. "While the first and third trimesters tend to be when the most obstetric emergencies are going to happen, I personally become more cautious with my patients after 32 weeks because of the increased risk for premature labor and the possibility of needing urgent medical attention when you are in the sky."

The most important thing you can do, no matter how far along you are in your pregnancy, is to consult with your healthcare provider before flying.

"Any time you are planning to fly during pregnancy , you should be having that conversation," Dr. Gopal said. Your provider will be familiar with any safety precautions you should take to ensure a safe and healthy flight.

Related: Guide to flying in each trimester of pregnancy

The airline you are flying may have its own cutoff, so you will want to confirm with it beforehand whether you will be allowed to fly if you are in (or nearing) your third trimester. We've included a chart below that outlines the rules for most major airline carriers.

What can you do to stay comfortable on a flight?

When you factor in morning sickness and general pregnancy discomfort with the increased risk for blood clots that all fliers need to be aware of, flying during pregnancy can be uncomfortable even when it is deemed safe.

Dr. Gopal shared her recommendations for addressing these common issues when you take to the (baby-) friendly skies during pregnancy. Her number one tip for staying comfortable while in flight is to wear compression socks to help maintain blood flow and reduce swelling in the legs.

In addition, "I also tell my patients to get up and move at least every hour when they are on the plane," Dr. Gopal said.

To prevent clotting, "some doctors may also prescribe a low-dose aspirin," she added. "It isn't something that is recommended by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), but it isn't harmful, either."

If it's nausea or acid reflux that ail you, there are medications generally considered safe that you can take to alleviate your symptoms. These would be the same ones prescribed by your doctor for morning sickness, so speak with your provider before your flight to ensure you have what you need at the ready.

Dr. Gopal also advises wearing loose, unrestrictive clothing (along with your seatbelt, or course) and drinking extra fluids to counteract the pressurized air in the cabin and keep you hydrated.

"Over-the-counter Gas-X may also help with bloating that can happen as a result of the pressurized air," Dr. Gopal said.

Related: What happens when a baby is born in flight?

Must you speak with your healthcare provider before flying?

Even if your pregnancy is considered low-risk, it's always a smart idea to speak with your healthcare provider before flying. "There are a number of potential risks that go along with flying during pregnancy and those risks can change from week to week and month to month, so it's important to have that honest conversation with your doctor," Dr. Gopal said.

Related: Things You Should Do Before, During and After Flying to Stay Healthy

There are certain pregnancy conditions that may make flying more risky or unadvisable. If you are hypertensive, asthmatic or prone to clotting disorders, it's even more critical to speak with your doctor before flying.

Airline policies differ, but if you need documentation, it never hurts to include enough detail to satisfy the most stringent airline requirements.

"As with many things related to air travel, it's better to be safe than sorry," Dr. Gopal said. "It's definitely worth it, and sometimes necessary, to have medical documentation from your provider's office."

A thorough medical certificate or waiver should state:

• The number of weeks of pregnancy.
• The estimated delivery date.
• Whether the pregnancy is single or multiple.
• Whether there are any complications.
• That you are in good health and fit to travel through the date of your final flight.

Additionally, the certificate should be:

• Written on official clinic or hospital letterhead if possible.
• Signed by the doctor or attending midwife.
• Be dated no later than 72 hours before the departure date.
• Be written in clear, simple English.

Carry this certificate with you on your flight. Some airlines won't ask to see it, but others will. Some airlines also may have their own documentation requirements. See the chart below to find out which airlines require it.

Airline policies for pregnant women

Bottom line.

Even though it may be deemed safe, flying during pregnancy can be uncomfortable — and it is perfectly acceptable to implement your own cutoff for flying with your baby bump in tow. The majority of the time, though, flying is perfectly safe during pregnancy, providing that you follow the guidelines of the airline and your healthcare provider. Read on to learn more about traveling before, during and after pregnancy:

• What to expect in every trimester of pregnancy
• 4 tips for planning travel while planning a pregnancy
• Babymoon boom! These are the top 10 spots for a US getaway before the baby comes
• Flying with a baby checklist

Additional reporting by Katherine Fan and Tarah Chieffi.

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Can you fly while pregnant? Here's everything you need to know

Times of India TIMESOFINDIA.COM / TRAVEL TRENDS , WORLD / Created : Dec 17, 2023, 16:33 IST

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Embarking on air travel during pregnancy is generally safe, with considerations varying by trimester. Consult your healthcare provider for personalized advice. Most airlines permit flying during the first two trimesters, but restr … Read more

Embarking on air travel during pregnancy is generally safe, with considerations varying by trimester. Consult your healthcare provider for personalized advice. Most airlines permit flying during the first two trimesters, but restrictions may apply in the third trimester. Check individual airline policies and, if needed, obtain a medical certificate. Prioritize hydration, comfort, and movement during the flight. Read less

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Embarking on air travel during pregnancy is generally safe, with considerations varying by trimester. Consult your healthcare provider for personalized advice. Most airlines permit flying during the f...

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Here Are the Rules for Flying When You're Pregnant

Whether you're newly pregnant or planning a babymoon right before welcoming your baby, here's what parents-to-be need to know about airline travel during each trimester.

Expectant parents need to know: Can you fly when pregnant?

While it's mostly OK to travel until the last few weeks of pregnancy, there are some precautions to take depending on when you decide to book a trip and how high risk your pregnancy is. Here's what you need to know before your next vacation.

Pregnancy and Flying: Your Trimester by Trimester Guide

As a general rule of thumb, most airlines will allow pregnant people to fly right up until week 36 of pregnancy, but you should absolutely do your research before booking your flight to check restrictions. You'll also want to consult with your OB-GYN or midwife before traveling—especially if you're at a higher risk for complications during pregnancy.

GETTY IMAGES

Before you travel

While you may be accustomed to planning a vacation on a whim or only packing your usual necessities, there's one extra thing you should consider doing before booking a flight during your pregnancy: Opt for travel insurance.

Should travel restrictions change, your health care provider recommends you stay home, or if you experience any concerning symptoms —like bleeding, abdominal pain, swelling, headaches, vision changes, or decreased fetal movement—you'll want to postpone or cancel your plans and see your doctor as soon as possible.

According to the ACOG, travel is not recommended for pregnant people with certain complications like preeclampsia, premature rupture of membranes (PROM), or who are at risk of preterm labor.

First trimester

Flying earlier on in pregnancy is actually considered pretty safe. And, no, metal detectors won't harm your fetus.

"Pregnant women can observe the same basic precautions for air travel as the general public," Raul Artal, M.D., former vice chairman of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) Committee on Obstetric Practice, previously told Parents .

One thing pregnant air travelers should take extra precautions to avoid at any trimester? Blood clots, which pregnant people are 7 times more likely to develop—especially during long flights. To help minimize your risk, you can book an aisle seat, walk around every so often, and wiggle your legs and toes while seated.

And since morning sickness and fatigue might be your biggest first trimester complaints, you may want to check with your health care provider about bringing anti-nausea medicine with you.

Second trimester

According to the ACOG, "The best time to travel is mid-pregnancy (14 to 28 weeks). During these weeks, your energy has returned, morning sickness is improved or gone, and you are still able to get around easily. After 28 weeks , it may be harder to move around or sit for a long time."

If you're flying during your second trimester, it's a good idea to stay hydrated, think about wearing support stockings to reduce edema and clot risk, and make sure you've done your research on hospitals located near your destination should an emergency arise.

Carrying twins or more? Your health care provider might recommend you stop traveling earlier due to the higher risk of complications.

Third trimester

How late in pregnancy can you fly? If you're relatively healthy—and not at risk of complications like preterm labor, preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, or placenta previa—then you're usually OK to travel up until 36 weeks, though some OB-GYNs may prefer you stay closer to your home near the end should you encounter any complications or in case your baby comes sooner than expected.

High-risk patients—and especially those with pregnancy-induced hypertension, diabetes, and sickle-cell disease—may be advised not to fly after 24 weeks—or not at all.

Check with your doctor before traveling at the end of your pregnancy.

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Is it safe to fly during pregnancy?

Generally, air travel before 36 weeks of pregnancy is considered safe for people who aren't dealing with any pregnancy problems. Still, if you're pregnant, it's a good idea to talk with your health care provider before you fly.

Your provider might suggest that you not fly if you have certain pregnancy complications that could get worse because of air travel or that could require emergency care. Examples include a history of miscarriage or vaginal bleeding, severe anemia, and high blood pressure or diabetes that's not well controlled. If you had preeclampsia during a previous pregnancy — a condition that causes high blood pressure and extra protein in urine — flying may not be advised. The same is true if you're pregnant with twins or other multiples.

Tell your provider how far you are flying, as the length of the flight might make a difference. Also, be aware that some airlines may not allow pregnant people on international flights. Check with your airline before you make travel arrangements.

After 36 weeks of pregnancy, your health care provider may advise against flying. And some airlines don't allow pregnant people to fly after 36 weeks. The airline also may require a letter from your health care provider that states how far along in your pregnancy you are and whether flying is advised.

If your health care provider says it's okay for you to fly, and your plans are flexible, the best time to travel by air might be during the second trimester. The risks of common pregnancy emergencies are lowest during that time.

When you fly:

• Buckle up. During the trip, keep your seatbelt fastened when you are seated, and secure it under your belly.
• Drink plenty of fluids. Low humidity in the airplane could cause you to become dehydrated.
• Avoid gassy foods and drinks before you fly. Gases expand during flight, and that could make you uncomfortable. Examples of foods and drinks to avoid include broccoli and carbonated soda.
• Think about medical care. Plan for how you'll get obstetric care during your trip if you need it. Bring copies of your medical information in case you need care while you're away.

Blood clots

Air travel can raise the risk for blood clots in the legs, a condition called venous thrombosis. The risk is higher for pregnant people. Moving your legs may help prevent this problem. Take a walk up and down the aisle every hour during the flight. If you must remain seated, flex and extend your ankles from time to time. In general, it's best to avoid tightfitting clothing, as that can hinder blood flow. Wearing compression stockings can help with blood circulation during a long flight.

Radiation exposure linked to air travel at high altitudes isn't thought to be a problem for most people who fly during pregnancy. But pilots, flight attendants and others who fly often might be exposed to a level of radiation that raises concerns during pregnancy. If you must fly frequently during your pregnancy, talk about it with your health care provider.

Mary Marnach, M.D.

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• Allergy medications during pregnancy
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• Air Travel During Pregnancy: ACOG Practice Bulletin No. 746. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/committee-opinion/articles/2018/08/air-travel-during-pregnancy. Accessed Dec. 1, 2022.
• Ram S, et al. Air travel during pregnancy and the risk of venous thrombosis. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2022; doi:10.1016/j.ajogmf.2022.100751.

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Woman gives birth while airborne on IndiGo flight

Baby was born en route from delhi to bengaluru, article bookmarked.

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A passenger gave birth at 30,000ft while flying from Delhi to Bengaluru in India.

The baby was born on IndiGo flight 6E 122, the airline confirmed in a statement.

“We confirm that a baby boy was delivered prematurely on flight 6E 122 from Delhi to Bangalore. There are no further details available,” a spokesperson for the carrier told the Hindustan Times .

Mother and infant were well taken care of according to a fellow traveller on the flight.

“Was on @IndiGo6E 6E 122 flight to BLR, woman gives birth mid-indiair, amazing team work of indigo flight attendants,” tweeted Prabhu Stavarmath.

“They setup a hospital in minutes and the new born cried mid-air. Dr Shailaja Vallabhani was fortunately on this flight!

“Thank you God and entire @IndiGo6E crew.”

Pictures of the unexpected arrival, which took place on 7 October, show crew members in PPE holding the tiny baby.

It’s far from the first time a baby has been born in the air.

In September, EgyptAir flight MS777 from Cairo to London had to do an emergency landing when Yemeni passenger Hiyam Nasr Naji Daaban realised she was going into labour.

The pilot diverted the service to Munich, Germany, in hopes that Daaban could reach a hospital in time.

However, the prospective mother delivered a baby girl before the plane could land, with the help of a doctor who happened to be on board.

In response, the airline said the child will receive free EgyptAir flights for life – though the offer seemingly only extends to Munich, where the aircraft was diverted to.

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We are committed to ensuring you have a comfortable journey with us. Your safety is our prime concern. Hence, we have a few guidelines to provide a hassle-free experience.

Travelling while pregnant

You can travel up to the 32nd week of pregnancy if there are no complications. Although, it is best to consult with your gynaecologist or obstetrician before you make any travel plans.

If there is a gap between your departure date and the date you booked your flight, you must get a medical certificate from your obstetrician.

The certificate should:

• Affirm that you can travel and that the pregnancy has no complications. 
• Be issued 72 hours before departure. 

Travelling beyond the 32nd week of pregnancy

• You can travel up to the 35th week of your pregnancy if you anticipate a normal delivery.
• You will be required to bring a medical certificate from your obstetrician stating that you are fit to travel and that there are no complications. 
• If you are beyond your 35th week of pregnancy, we will not allow you to fly with us on account of your safety. 

You will not be allowed to travel after the 32nd week in case of the following circumstances:

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• Wheelchair assistance : Walking long distances in your condition may not be advisable. Hence, you may consider opting for our wheelchair assistance. 
• Medical rooms and pharmacies: Most airports have medical rooms and pharmacies. You may head to them for assistance in discomfort or an emergency. Click here to check the facilities available at your departure and arrival airport.
• Dining options : We understand that your dietary preference might change now. Maybe you crave a particular dessert, or the baby wants to gorge on fruit. You can choose from our various dining options to select what suits you best. 
• Extendable seat belt: We provide seat belt extensions inside the aircraft. Our well-trained in-flight crew will assist you with the same. 

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Children over seven days but under two years on the travel date are considered infants.  

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You need to provide valid proof of ID to verify the age of your little one.

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• A passport is a mandatory document in case of international travel. 

If you cannot display valid ID proof on the day of travel, an adult fare will be charged. This is subject to the availability of seats on the flight.

We understand that your little one is your utmost priority, so we have curated special provisions for you throughout your journey.

• Nursing rooms: Most airports are equipped with nursing and mother care rooms. Click here to check the facilities available at the departure and arrival airports.
• Bassinets: We do not allow strollers on the flight. But you can request a bassinet for your little one. Infant bassinets are free of cost but are subject to availability. You can raise a request for the same using our customer support portal .
• Check-in baggage allowance: Your little one is allowed a baggage allowance of 10 kg/22 lb as check-in baggage on all our flights. 
• Carry-on baggage allowance: We understand the paraphernalia needed when travelling with a baby. Hence, we allow the following as carry-on baggage:   1. Food for the little one.    2. Feeding bottles   3. A carry-on tote/bag for food and the bottles.
• Priority check-in and boarding: We want to ensure that you and your baby are seated comfortably. So, you can always request our airport staff to fast-track you through all airport formalities.
• Air travel can be a challenging experience for your little one. But our in-flight staff is available to assist you in every way to ensure you and your baby’s comfort. They have everything from hot water to earbuds for blocked ears and lavatory visit assistance.  

Minimum age of travel

The minimum age of travel for your little one is seven days. 

An exception to the above guidelines is possible in a medical emergency. You will need:

• A medical certificate from your paediatrician. 
• Clearance from our medical department. Do reach out to our customer service and they will be happy to guide you.  

Guidelines for travelling with more than one infant

When travelling with multiple infants, each baby must be accompanied by an adult. Please ensure your infant is seated on your lap, as extra seats cannot be booked for babies.

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• Names that rhyme
• Goddess Saraswati names
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• Godh bharai: baby shower
• Sesame seeds in pregnancy

Pregnancy travel: where to go and how to decide

How do I decide where to go for my holiday during pregnancy?

What are good holiday destinations in india, what should i consider when travelling abroad for my holiday, which international holiday getaways are good for pregnant women.

Have you decided to take a much-needed break with your spouse before you settle down to the delights of family holidays?

Choose a holiday destination which is easy to reach and has medical facilities such as a reputed maternity hospital(s) and good doctors . If you're going to small town or island then make sure medical care is accessible by air , short train journeys or good roads. If you are flying after you're 27 weeks pregnant you'll need a letter from your doctor that states your due date . It should also confirm that you are fit to fly. It's a good idea to have this handy from 24 weeks of pregnancy as each airline has specific rules for carrying pregnant women. Read our article on airline rules and travel insurance in pregnancy . Your travel agent or airline can also provide any additional information you need.

If it is the summer heat you want to escape then visiting a hill station is your best bet. There are plenty of options in any direction in India. Ooty, Coorg, Mount Abu, Deolali, Kasauli, Manali, Mussoorie, Nainital, Dalhousie, Shimla, Kashmir and Shillong are popular tourist spots. For a winter holiday you may want to go to Rajasthan, Agra, Varanasi, Goa, Pondicherry or to Kerala. Most cities also offer great getaways that are just a few hours away.

Choose places which are easily accessible, don't need long haul flights or layovers. You may have enjoyed backpacking on a shoe string budget before or settled for hectic package tours with a busload of passengers squeezing in 10 "sights" a day. But this time, plan your holiday around the time you have and visit just as many places as you can manage. Try not to tire yourself with long walks for sightseeing and choose activities which you can actually enjoy. There is no point going on a trip into the mountains or to a wildlife park when you cannot go on long hikes or ride in jeeps over bumpy roads for a jungle safari. Also, find out whether the place you have in mind requires certain vaccinations or medication and then check with your doctor on whether these are permissible. Most doctors recommend not getting vaccinations during pregnancy, especially those with live viruses. Read more about vaccinations during pregnancy . Places which have a high incidence of dengue or malaria are also best avoided. If there are mosquitoes, use safe repellent creams , netting and long sleeved clothes. Make sure you carry an emergency kit which contains important items such as:

• your medical records including details of any allergies and your blood group.
• emergency contact information such as the contact numbers for your doctor
• medications
• travel insurance papers
• prescriptions for medications which may not be over-the-counter products abroad.

A trip abroad may have been a fond dream for you and your husband . And your pregnancy can be just the excuse you need to finally make it. Plan to go to places which have always interested you and may not be possible with a baby in tow! You may prefer a shopping cum pleasure trip to Singapore, Malaysia, Dubai, Beijing or Hong Kong. A scenic tour of UK's famed castles or the museums of Paris may help you forget the summer heat or humid monsoon. Other popular holiday spots include Europe, Ireland, the Czech Republic, South Africa, Australia and America. Find out more about:

• Is it safe to walk through airport screening machines when pregnant?

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How to Make Long Flights More Comfortable When You're Pregnant

By Joanna Carrigan

All products featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Preparing for a newborn can feel like an exhilarating task; on the one hand, there’s a long-anticipated, already much-loved new arrival making an entrance into your life. On the other, getting yourself into a birthing headspace can feel like a marathon. I’ve already lost count of the amount of  stroller reviews , hypno-birthing manuals, crib catalogs, and paint samples I’ve flicked through in my quest for newborn nirvana. 

With that in mind, many couples are now opting to take a break from the organizational overload in the form of a  long-haul babymoon —a pre-birth couples vacation—as a way of spending those last special moments together as a family of two. And in fact, air travel can generally be considered  safe for most expectant mothers , with advice from your doctor recommended. 

“All pregnancies and mums have individual needs and varying circumstances,” says Marie Louise, midwife and author of  The Modern Midwife’s Guide To Pregnancy . “If mums have any health complications or are close to giving birth, travel should be very carefully considered. Otherwise, mums need a break—it’s good to enjoy and relax on your travels.”

Pregnancy can often feel like a long-haul adventure in itself, and whilst the thought of an extensive flight may not jump out at the top of your to-do list, there are ways to make that coveted trip—and any other air travel during pregnancy that comes up—more comfortable.

Below, I’ve curated an essential list for what to pack in your carry-on for air travel during pregnancy, based in part on my own experience traveling to Europe whilst expecting. 

Strategic carry-ons

A great place to start is your carry-on itself, as the right style can help not only to make your essentials more accessible, but the correct product can be re-used as a diaper bag once your pre-baby vacation is a distant happy memory. The key to  choosing the perfect carry-on is not only to be mindful of the airline guidelines set out around dimensions and weight restrictions, but to think from your own perspective about what will be easiest for you to carry. If back issues prevail—a common complaint during pregnancy—a stylish rucksack may be more suitable than a tote. And if you’re looking for post-pregnancy practicality, a duffel can tick that cross-functional box. 

Pregnancy support bands

Glamour takes a back seat with this essential, but your posture and ligaments will thank me later. If you’re flying internationally or just maneuvering your way through a large airport, you may face long walks between terminals, which can place strain on the lower back. Bump support bands are designed to help relieve the pressure that the additional weight of your bump is putting on your back, and therefore can make a sensible addition to your carry-on packing list. 

Anti-nausea pregnancy methods 

Not every foray into the world of parenthood is a smooth one, and unfortunately  nausea and sickness can play a starring role in pregnancy, especially in the early stages. My first 16 weeks of pregnancy were punctuated with frequent trips to the restroom, and with many flights taken during this time, I became accustomed to having to rely on a few tricks to see me through those difficult moments. 

Travel bands can be an excellent way to relieve pregnancy related nausea, and they’ve taken a high-tech turn in recent years. Hypnotherapy podcasts can also be a calming way to reduce feelings of sickness, and are best listened to with noise-canceling headphones and an eye mask . 

Hydrating skincare for expectant mothers 

Pregnancy can present some interesting  skincare dilemmas , with many people experiencing a change at some point across their nine months. Dry patches, oily T-zones, and acne outbreaks are all common complaints. To help skin stay hydrated when flying, there are many pregnancy-safe products out there which can help replenish and restore your skin's natural barrier. La Mer The Mist Facial Spray is a particular favorite of mine—easy to apply, super lightweight, and long-lasting. 

Travel pillows

During pregnancy, ligaments in the hips and back loosen in preparation for birth and this can often cause secondary strain across the top of the shoulders and neck which can be very uncomfortable for expectant mothers. If you’re traveling whilst pregnant, I recommend investing in a travel neck pillow , and packing your pregnancy pillow if you’re flying in a seat with a lie-flat bed. 

Compression socks

“During pregnancy, you are at an increased risk of developing a blood clot,” Louise says. “That’s why compression socks , hydration, and movement—walking, stretching, and circling ankles—is recommended.”

Again, it’s not the most glamorous addition to your carry-on, but this footwear is important nonetheless. Try to stretch your legs every hour or so if possible, with a walk down the aisle or some lower leg exercises. 

While packing a well-stocked carry-on will undoubtedly enhance your flying experience, there are other ways to ensure that you’re prepared for a relaxing trip. Here are my top three tips for flying while pregnant:

Food and beverage choices 

Whilst it’s unlikely you’ll be able to see the full on-board menu in advance, it’s often a good idea to pre-select your meal genre if you’re having  aversions or preferences during your pregnancy. Being able to rule out meat, dairy, or even opt for a lighter option may be preferable for some mothers-to-be. It could be worth packing a couple of extra snacks in your carry-on, just in case. I’ve been stashing ginger tea bags and plenty of dried fruit and nuts ( dried banana chips are a particular craving of mine) to see me through. 

The airport experience

Lounge access can not only be an enjoyable way to kick-off your vacation, it can also be a lifesaver for tired feet. Having access to a clean and comfortable restroom can also often be advantageous, so if your travel tickets don’t include a lounge as standard, it could be worth a  pay-for-access option to give you peace of mind that you’ll be spending time in a calm and restful environment before or in between flights. 

Your travel outfit

While a stylish airport look is always desirable, comfort should definitely reign supreme during this important period, since your body is already coping with so much. Activewear can provide comfort and support during long-haul travel, and there are  plenty of options out there. I look to brands like  Alo Yoga and  Lululemon for pieces that satisfy both the style and comfort stakes. 

IndiGo Official Helps Six-Month Pregnant Woman With Nausea Medication, Internet Is All Hearts

"i am doing this because i care," said mr abhishek, indigo airline official..

Mr Abhishek visited five other pharmacies in search of the precise tablet, but was unable to find it.

Nowadays, fights and disputes between passengers and flight crew members are rather typical. However, there are a few instances which leave your heart warm and make you believe in humanity. One such instance is of an IndiGo official helping a pregnant woman who suffered nausea while being stuck at Odisha's Bhubaneswar Airport after a three-hour delay in her flight. Mr Abhishek, the airline official at the check-in area, offered help as her husband Parth Bhanushali frantically searched for some anti-nausea medication and the touching tale has earned him accolades online.

The story was shared by Humans of Bombay on Instagram. They mentioned that the couple was tired and with their flight delayed, frustration crept in. "The situation only became worse when she said, 'My anti-nausea medication is over.' It was the only thing that kept her sickness at bay," Mr Bhanushali told the portal. Another hurdle was that there was no pharmacy at the airport. 

He hurried to find a solution and approached employees at the check-in area after seating the six-month pregnant woman. Mr Abhishek stepped in and asked him to take his wife to the on-duty doctor. However, it was in vain because the nearest pharmacy was 3 kilometres from the airport. The IndiGo staffer volunteered to assist the man after realising he knew no one in the city.

Mr Bhanushali added, "Abhishek suggested I ask a friend to get me the medicine. But when I told him, 'I know nobody in the city,' he paused for a few seconds and said, 'I'll go and get it'."

However, Mr Bhanushali was worried that Mr Abhishek would not be able to identify the correct medicine. "Right after, he left. But we couldn't exchange numbers due to the airline's policy, so we had no way to contact each other. I was scared that he'd return empty-handed, unable to identify the medicine. Worried, I waited with my wife, trying to pacify her," he told Humans of Bombay.

Also Read:  Video Shows Fight Between IndiGo Crew And Passenger, Internet Divided

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Mr Abhishek visited five other pharmacies in search of the precise tablet, but was unable to find it. Instead, he purchased the same medication under a different name and returned to the couple within 25 minutes, who was pleasantly surprised. Mr Abhishek also refused to take any money from Mr Bhanushali. "When Abhishek handed the pills over to me, he refused to take any money. I asked him, 'Will the airline reimburse you?' and he replied, 'No sir, I am doing this because I care.'," he added. 

The woman's health improved within 15 minutes of taking the medication, and her husband exhaled a sigh of relief. "It was all thanks to Abhishek. So, I insisted until he let me pay for it, even though it was only 250 rupees... because it was the least I could do. I know that his random act of kindness is worth so much more. It's priceless," he told Humans of Bombay. 

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Texas Supreme Court rules against women who sought clarification of abortion ban

By Caroline Linton

May 31, 2024 / 5:22 PM EDT / CBS News

The Texas Supreme Court on Friday rejected a petition by women who sought clarification of the state's strict abortion ban. 

In the unanimous decision, the court said that the existing medical exceptions in the ban were broad enough to withstand a constitutional challenge. A group of women who were denied abortions under the state  filed the lawsuit in March , and they had argued that because the ban's language regarding medical exceptions is unclear, they were denied lifesaving care while they were pregnant. 

Texas bans abortions at about six weeks, with a limited medical exception for a pregnancy that threatens the life of the mother or risks impairing a major bodily function.

The state high court ruled that "the law does not require that a woman's death be imminent or that she first suffer physical impairment" and said "Texas law permits a physician to address the risk that a life-threatening condition poses before a woman suffers the consequences of that risk." 

The ruling said the plaintiffs are "simply wrong in that legal assessment" that a physician would then say "but the law won't allow me to provide an abortion in these circumstances."

Texas doctors face harsh penalties for performing an abortion that does not meet the criteria for a medical  exception — fines of at least $100,000 and up to 99 years in prison. Further, anyone who "aids and abets" an abortion is subject to a minimum $10,000 fine that can be levied by anyone under an unusual enforcement mechanism .

The lead plaintiff, Amanda Zurawski , who has since become a surrogate for the Biden campaign, said in a statement on Friday that she was "outraged" by the decision. "Every day, people in Texas are being told that they have no options," she said. 

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton , whosd challenged the lawsuit, said in a statement that he will "continue to defend the laws enacted by the Legislature and uphold the values of the people of Texas by doing everything in my power to protect mothers and babies."

Zurawski v. Texas 

The case, Zurawski v. Texas was brought by the Center for Reproductive Rights on behalf of at least 20 women who suffered medical emergencies and two doctors and was the most significant legal challenge to the state's strict abortion ban. 

A Travis County judge ruled that women who experience pregnancy complications are exempt from the state's abortion ban, which resulted in an injunction on the law. Paxton's office appealed the ruling to the all-Republican state Supreme Court, which put the injunction on hold.

On Friday, the Texas Supreme Court overturned the lower court's ruling, saying it "departed from the law as written without constitutional justification." The decision was unanimous, but Justice Brett Busby issued a concurring opinion that left the door open to a broader challenge to the law.

The lawsuit was not filed to overturn Texas' law, but instead sought clarification on what qualifies as a medical exemption. It was believed to be the first challenge of an abortion ban since the 2022 Dobbs decision by the U.S. Supreme Court , which overturned the landmark Roe v. Wade case that established the federal right to an abortion.

The court said Zurawski was incorrectly denied an abortion when her water broke when she was 17 weeks pregnant and the fetus still had a heartbeat. Zurawski was sent home, but doctors performed the abortion days later, after she went into septic shock. The infection caused one of her fallopian tubes to close, making it harder for her to conceive.

"Ms. Zurawski's agonizing wait to be ill 'enough' for induction, her development of sepsis, and her permanent physical injury are not the results the law commands," the ruling said. Further, the ruling said that "the law does not require a woman to surrender her life or to first suffer serious bodily injury before an abortion may be performed." 

The ruling also noted that in the last legislative session, the Texas Legislature did amend the law to "plainly indicate that a physician who performs an abortion in response to such a diagnosis" as Zurawski suffered "is not liable."

Though the Legislature amended the law and gave a legal defense to doctors, abortion rights advocats say it didn't sufficiently clarify the law. 

Last year, Zurawski gave harrowing testimony with two other women who were denied abortions in Texas, along with a doctor and two medical experts. 

Other Texas abortion cases 

In November 2023, Kate Cox, filed an emergency lawsuit seeking an injunction to the law when she found out that her pregnancy was "unlikely to end with a healthy baby," and due to two prior cesarean sections, continuing the pregnancy put her at risk of severe complications that threatened "her life and future fertility." 

An Austin judge ruled Cox could terminate her pregnancy, but that ruling was stayed after Paxton appealed the decision to the state Supreme Court. Cox, who was 20 weeks pregnant at the time of the suit, ultimately left the state to have an abortion.

After a petition from Austin-area lobbyists, the Texas Medical Board is considering proposed guidelines on how it investigates complaints about prohibited abortions. The agency is currently considering public comment ahead of its planned June meeting, where the issue could be decided. 

Caroline Linton is an associate managing editor on the political team for CBSNews.com. She has previously written for The Daily Beast, Newsweek and amNewYork.

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Sexually transmitted infections among pregnant Syrian refugee women seeking antenatal care in Lebanon

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Sasha A Fahme, Iman Fakih, Ali Ghassani, Mostafa El-Nakib, Laith J Abu-Raddad, Jeffrey D Klausner, Ghina R Mumtaz, Sexually transmitted infections among pregnant Syrian refugee women seeking antenatal care in Lebanon, Journal of Travel Medicine , Volume 31, Issue 4, May 2024, taae058, https://doi.org/10.1093/jtm/taae058

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Untreated sexually transmitted infections (STIs) may have devastating effects on maternal and neonatal health. While routine antenatal STI screening is adopted in many high-income countries, there remain significant gaps in detection and treatment throughout the Global South, including in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Widespread conflict in this region has resulted in the protracted displacement of millions of women who may consequently experience poor sexual and reproductive health. 1 , 2

In Lebanon, a country with the world’s highest per capita refugee population, antenatal care engagement among Syrian refugee women is estimated to be >80%, 3 making antenatal care clinics a pragmatic setting in which to screen this otherwise difficult-to-access population for curable STIs. Curable STIs may represent a modifiable risk factor to reduce maternal and neonatal morbidity among pregnant refugee women, but the epidemiology of STIs is unknown in this vulnerable population. We aimed to estimate the prevalence of and risk factors for Chlamydia trachomatis , Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Trichomonas vaginalis among pregnant Syrian refugee women engaged in antenatal care in Lebanon.

This cross-sectional study adhered to a standardized protocol. 4 , 5 Ethical approval was obtained from the Institutional Review Board of the American University of Beirut (ID: BIO-2020-0163). Participants were recruited from five public antenatal care clinics in refugee-dense areas within the Greater Beirut ( N  = 2), Beqaa ( N  = 2) and Tyre ( N  = 1) regions of Lebanon, which provide subsidized antenatal care to low-income populations. The clinics in Greater Beirut and Tyre are situated in refugee camp-adjacent urban slums, and those in the Beqaa are located in semi-rural villages in close proximity to the Lebanese–Syrian border.

All adult pregnant Syrian refugee women at <34 weeks of gestation seeking antenatal care in the participating clinics were eligible to participate. Additional eligibility criteria included: willingness to be tested for C. trachomatis , N. gonorrhoeae and T. vaginalis ; willingness to receive treatment if diagnosed; willingness to attend a test-of-cure if treated and ability to provide written informed consent. A convenience sample was pursued due to the absence of a reliable and representative sampling frame. Participants were consecutively enrolled from February to September 2022 in Beirut and Tyre and from July to August 2023 in the Beqaa. Of 437 eligible women screened, 431 (98.6%) consented to participation.

After obtaining written informed consent, trained interviewers administered an Arabic-language survey collecting sociodemographic information. Participants provided a 50 cc urine specimen in a sterile container for testing. Urine specimens were tested for C. trachomatis and N. gonorrhoeae using the GeneXpert® CT/NG assay, and for T. vaginalis using the GeneXpert® TV assay (Cepheid, Sunnyvale, California, USA). These nucleic acid amplification tests methods have U.S. Food and Drug Administration clearance for use on female urine specimens and demonstrate 97.6% sensitivity and >99.4% specificity for C. trachomatis detection, 95.6% sensitivity and >99.8% specificity for N. gonorrhoeae detection, 99.5–100.0% sensitivity and 99.4–99.7% specificity for T. vaginalis detection. Controls were run on the Cepheid GeneXpert® equipment for each assay. Automated reports were reviewed to establish precision and accuracy of the findings. Women diagnosed with any of the three infections and their partners were offered standard treatment.

Demographic data were analysed descriptively and stratified by setting using chi-squared test for categorical variables and t test for continuous variables. Bivariate log-binomial regression was used to explore sociodemographic associations across urban and rural settings. STI prevalence data were reported as frequencies and proportions across the overall sample. Analyses were conducted using R 4.3.0.

There were 431 participants aged 18 to 44 years (mean = 25.6 ± SD = 5.8) from urban ( n  = 318, 73.8%) and rural ( n  = 113, 26.2%) settings enrolled in this study. Table 1 outlines the sociodemographic characteristics of participants. The overwhelming majority (99.5%) were married and 61.2% were married prior to reaching 18 years of age. The mean number of lifetime sex partners was 1.1 (SD = 0.3), with 8.4% of women reporting a history of >1 sex partner. On average, participants residing in the Beqaa had spent more time in forced displacement in Lebanon ( P  < 0.001) and reported greater household crowding ( P  < 0.05). When compared to their urban counterparts, women recruited in the Beqaa had 4.9 times greater risk of residing in a refugee camp (95% CI 3.4 to 7.1); 2.8 times greater risk of having never been enrolled in school (95% CI 1.7 to 4.6); and 4.1 times greater risk of being in a polygamous marriage (95% CI 1.8 to 9.6).

Participants’ sociodemographic characteristics, Syrian pregnant refugee women in Lebanon

Abbreviation: SD: standard deviation.

* Number of persons in the household divided by number of rooms in the house.

We detected two cases of chlamydia, corresponding to an estimated prevalence of 0.5% (95% CI 0.1% to 1.7%) and one case of trichomoniasis, corresponding to an estimated prevalence of 0.2% (95% CI 0.0% to 1.4%). All three participants were recruited from clinics in Beirut. We did not identify any cases of gonorrhoeae or of co-infections.

This is the first study of STI epidemiology among pregnant Syrian refugee women, who comprise the largest population of forcibly displaced women globally. The study population was characterized by low education, early marriage and prolonged displacement within crowded settings in Lebanon. Our findings suggest, among pregnant Syrian refugee women in Lebanon, a prevalence of curable STIs lower than what is observed among women in other MENA countries, 6 but comparable to what is observed in Lebanon. 7 Data on the prevalence of curable STIs among other various groups of travellers, including migrants, are scarce. However, available evidence suggests a generally low prevalence, albeit slightly higher than the findings of this study. 8 , 9

Notably, our study population consists of pregnant women engaged in monogamous sexual partnerships in the context of marriage. The MENA region has been long characterized by conservative social norms that discourage premarital sexual relationships. Indeed, only few women reported >1 lifetime sexual partner and only in the context of previous marriages. Our results are aligned with findings from a study in Pakistan, a similarly conservative MENA country. 4

While rural-dwelling participants were observed to have greater vulnerability in terms of displacement-specific factors, it is not clear in this small study whether such factors confer a greater STI risk. The inverse correlation between conflict and STIs has been previously described in Sub-Saharan Africa, in part due to reduced mobility and smaller sexual networks. 10 While Syrian refugee women in Lebanon similarly experience constrained mobility, 1 the impact on sexual networks and STI transmission dynamics among urbanized refugees warrants further examination.

This study has several weaknesses. Firstly, we were unable to conduct risk factor analyses due to the low STI prevalence. Secondly, this study adhered to a standardized protocol that was limited to screening for chlamydia, gonorrhoeae and trichomoniasis. 5 One limitation of this protocol is the exclusion of Treponema pallidum testing, which has implications for congenital syphilis. Also, syphilis testing would have necessitated the collection of another biological sample (blood), which may have discouraged participation. We similarly did not test for HIV, due to pervasive HIV stigma, which also may have deterred participation, as well as reliable evidence that suggests low HIV prevalence in the general population. 2 Future studies are needed to understand the burden of syphilis, HIV and other STIs among this refugee population.

Nevertheless, the study also has a number of strengths. We developed rigorous standard operating protocols utilizing nucleic acid amplification testing with quality control measures on all laboratory analyses. While the lack of census data in Lebanon presents considerable challenges to recruiting a probability-based sample, given high rates of antenatal care retention, our geographically diverse sample may accurately reflect the larger population of pregnant Syrian refugee women engaged in care in Lebanon.

In conclusion, pregnant Syrian refugee women in Lebanon are a low sexual-risk population that likely experience a low burden of curable STIs. While universal STI screening may not be indicated, prospective data among larger samples are needed to identify predictors of STIs among Syrian refugee women in Lebanon to potentially support targeted STI screening efforts.

This work was supported by UK Research and Innovation as part of the Global Challenges Research Fund [grant number ES/P010873/1]. G.R.M., I.F. and L.J.A. acknowledge support by the Biomedical Research Program at Weill Cornell Medicine in Qatar.

The authors are grateful to Lama Ayoubi, Eman Sharara, Hadyl Hoballah, Sara Abdul Nasser and Lama Zein for their contributions to data collection. The authors would also like to thank Tamara Abdallah for her contributions to laboratory analysis.

Sasha Fahme (Methodology [supporting], Supervision [lead], Writing—original draft [lead]), Iman Fakih (Formal Analysis [equal], Project administration [supporting], Writing—review & editing [supporting]), Ali Ghassani (Resources [equal], Supervision [supporting], Writing—review & editing [supporting]), Mostafa El-Nakib (Resources [equal], Writing—review & editing [supporting]), Laith Abu-Raddad (Conceptualization [equal], Funding Acquisition [equal], Methodology [supporting], Supervision [supporting], Writing—review & editing [lead]), Jeffrey Klausner (Conceptualization [equal], Methodology [supporting], Writing—review & editing [supporting]), Ghina Mumtaz (Conceptualization [equal], Formal Analysis [equal], Funding Acquisition [equal], Methodology [lead], Project administration [lead], Supervision [lead], Writing—review & editing [lead]).

Dr Jeffrey D. Klausner serves on an advisory board for Danaher and has received donated research supplies from Cepheid, Hologic Inc and SpeeDx Inc. All other authors declare no conflicts of interest.

The data underlying this article will be shared on reasonable request to the corresponding author.

Preliminary findings were presented at the 23 International Union against Sexually Transmitted Infections (IUSTI) World Congress, Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. September 5, 2022.

Samari G . Syrian refugee Women's health in Lebanon, Turkey, and Jordan and recommendations for improved practice . World Med Health Policy 2017 ; 9 : 255 – 74 .

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• epidemiology
• trichomoniasis
• sexually transmitted diseases
• prenatal care

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