baby aspirin before flying

[Sweetjane]

I am planning to go on a 5-6 hour flight, and am 17 weeks pregnant. My midwife suggested taking baby aspirin the day before I fly, the day I fly and the day after. I guess this is because of blood clots? Does anyone know aanything aobut this? Is it really safe? Or necessary? I have been avoiding any medication, and feel kinda funny about this.

Thanks,
Jane

[flyingspaghettimama]

Yes, you have a higher chance of blood clots when flying while pregnant, same as if you had other medical conditions that predispose to clotting. I took one aspirin, although the evidence is still really out on whether or not it makes a difference at all. Baby aspirin (what she is probably referring to) is not harmful in small doses after the second trimester - once or twice isn't bad won't do anything permanent. The dangers are higher in first trimester. I went on 2 12 hour flights in my 2nd trimester and so I took one the morning of - but there are a few other things you can do too, which I also did:

Support hose - you buy them in the pharmacy. Get the kind that come all the way over your belly or it can make the problem worse. Seriously, I loved that hose, even if I felt like my grandma. It's like a massage all day - and I had no puffyness or swelling afterwards. Awesome.

Get up and walk around - once an hour is what I've read/heard. Stretch or do some quick yoga moves if the plane is big enough - basically changing the elevation of your legs.

Put your feet up on top of something during the flight so blood flow isn't restricted behind the knee, if you're a shorty like me.

Drink so much extra water (pack your own onboard) and not so much caffeine (if you drink it). Some harda-- flight attendant wouldn't give me extra water ever, so I was glad I packed my own onboard. I still plan on writing a nasty complaint letter about that. Man! It wasn't like she was running out.

Know the symptoms of a clot. It would probably be something you noticed, but it's not always acute or emergent.

I did these things and felt really confident in the flights and didn't worry. As a beneficial side effect, I had so much less jet lag, I think I'll do it when NOT pregnant as well!

[Sweetjane]

Thank you! I'm so glad someone replied! My MW also suggested the frequent walking around the plane, like you mentioned. I will look for support hose. I was already planning to bring lots of water.

Thanks,
Jane