placenta previa and flying

[scampi123]

Hi,

I am new here and have been searching the forum, but wasn't able to find and answer to my problem;-(

I am 13 weeks pregnant with my first one, 2 days ago I had a US, baby is fine, but dr diagnosed a complete placenta previa.

Told me not to worry yet, because it will most likely move. I asked him twice if I can fly in 2 weeks (2 h flight) and he said: sure!

I went home and started reading online about the complete pp and got really scared. I called the doc the next day to confirm that I can go ahead with my trip, he said of course.

So far I have had no bleeding or spotting, I wouldn't know that I have the pp if it wasn't for the us.

Now I don't know what to do. I trust my doc (he has years of experience), but I am also really afraid, that something bad will happen during that flight ;-(.

Did you have a similar experience or do you know anyone that had? Please share!

Thanks

[APToddlerMama]

I went through something similar except I didn't know I had issues until we returned.  On the flight I was on, this flight attendant told me and another pregnant woman some crazy statistic about how many flight attendants end up having miscarriages and totally freaked me out.  We almost drove 20 hours home rather than risk getting on another flight, but decided to fly back.  When I got back, I talked to a friend who is a pilot and she flew through her 5th month and said it was fine, and also talked to another flight attendant who said it was fine too.  I did a lot of research and did seem to find some evidence that flying can cause miscarriage, though the risk is really low, and both of my doctors told me to go ahead.  I do remember reading something after the fact that women with placenta "abnormalities" should not fly.  5 days after we returned from our trip, I started bleeding, and found out I did have a low lying placenta (it has since moved up!) and a separation in the placenta.  I am pretty sure the separation happened before the trip, though I'll never know.  I tend to be way over cautious with stuff like that, but I don't think I will ever take the chance flying pregnant again.  It was just so nerve wracking and then I felt awful when I started bleeding.  Hopefully someone else has some better info for you. 

ETA--I'm pretty sure the issue with flying is that the pressure in the plane affects your uterus just as it does your ears. 

[Toposlonoshlep]

I'm no expert, but my understanding is that placenta previa early or mid-pregnancy is nothing to worry about. It usually migrates. 

Even if it doesn't, I don't see how flying is going to affect anything logistically. Placenta previa should not cause you to go into labor early and isn't a cause for any kind of bed rest or special precautions. Worry is probably worse for your pregnancy than a 2 hour flight!

I say enjoy your trip!

[APToddlerMama]

Huh?  That really depends on the point in the pregnancy in which a woman is dealing with placenta previa and if she's having other issues.  It can definitely require bed rest and special precautions....

Originally Posted by Toposlonoshlep 

Placenta previa should not cause you to go into labor early and isn't a cause for any kind of bed rest or special precautions.

[Toposlonoshlep]

That's exactly what I said in the other part of my response. Because she is early in her pregnancy, I would say no worries. It usually migrates later in pregnancy. That's why her doc is not concerned.
 

Originally Posted by APToddlerMama 

Huh?  That really depends on the point in the pregnancy in which a woman is dealing with placenta previa and if she's having other issues.  It can definitely require bed rest and special precautions....

[scampi123]

Thanks!

I am stressing already, can't image how stressful the flight will be. I even checked the possibility of taking  Amtrak, but the trip would take 39 hours!!! I guess I prefer 2 h flight.

Well, the doctor wasn't concerned at all, maybe I shouldn't either.

[Toposlonoshlep]

I had read studies that linked this to genetic abnormalities in the fetus due to in-flight cosmic radiation. A cross-country flight, for example, can be equivalent to a chest xray in terms of ionizing radiation. These days they encourage pregnant flight attendants to temporarily take jobs on the ground if the company can swing it. 
 

Originally Posted by APToddlerMama 

On the flight I was on, this flight attendant told me and another pregnant woman some crazy statistic about how many flight attendants end up having miscarriages and totally freaked me out.